Chizu

Nestled amidst the Chugoku Mountains in southeastern Tottori Prefecture, this small town has garnered attention as a post town for the alternate attendance system back in 17th century Japan, a town of cedar trees, and, since the 2010s, as a “town of evacuation.” When we traversed several tunnels to explore the latest Chizu, we were warmly greeted by star players with their smiles gleaming brightly.

Even if one has never set foot in this town or lacks any ties to it, the name “Chizu-cho, Tottori Prefecture” ring familiar to many.
During the Edo period (1603-1867), it served as the first stopover for the Tottori clan under the alternate attendance system. Renowned for its forestry industry, epitomized by the Keicho cedars, and in recent years, the town's name is heard at every turn as the new home of 'Talmary', a topic we'll delve into later, and as a breeding ground for innovative practices such as a sideline cooperative nurturing forestry leaders, among others.
However, upon our actual visit to the town, we were met with a surprisingly tranquil ambience. It’s narrow, labyrinthine streets, the Inbi Line (affectionately referred to as the ”locomotive” by the locals) snaking along the mountain base, and the encompassing cedar forests… Amidst its rich historical tapestry, Chizu modestly harbors new cultural ventures— a shared café housed in a converted old private residence, an indigo dye gallery, and a guesthouse restaurant frequented by the elderly. This delicate equilibrium is what lends such beauty to this town.
Chizu joined the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan Association in 2010. This is the second feature on this magazine since Issue No.3 published in 2013. The former Mayor Seiichiro Teratani, who spearheaded the town’s participation, instilled a sense of self-governance and community development among the locals. Mayor Teratani emphasized the importance of self-governance, stating, “True town development occurs when the locals create what they need themselves,” a sentiment echoed by current Mayor Hideo Kaneko.
“Japan's population is declining by 560,000 people annually. It’s akin to the population of Tottori Prefecture dwindling every year.” Indeed, the harsh reality bites. However, during our stay in the town, we felt a glimmer of hope for a future richer and more vibrant than its decline suggests. Just as crops brimming with vitality ferment rather than decay, the allure of this “beautiful village” grows more intricate and flavorful with the fervor of its inhabitants, possessing the power to continually draw people in.

Interviewed in January, 2024