Minami Oguni

Minamioguni-machi, with a population of approx 4,300 is located on the north side of Mt.Aso somma and the border with Oita Prefecture. It has been a member of “The Association of The most beautiful villages in Japan” since its inception in October 2005. The town with the nationally-known Kurokawa Hot Spring was once an obscure hot spring district. Everybody in the town had been thinking “there is nothing special here”. What changed the future of the town was upside-down-thinking without rules of urban values. The beautiful hometown is nurtured by an attitude and beautiful minds of people living there.

Minamioguni-machi is located at the headstream area of Chikugo river which is the largest river in Kyushu. The abundance of freshwaters which moisten the land, is essence of life. The hot water of good quality, such as Kurokawa Hot Spring or Manganji Hot Spring, gush out, and also the mature cedars called Oguni-sugi, good taste rice and vegetable grow. All those are benefits of water.
When visited the town, I felt comfortable in nature as it is. They have high level of independence and ownership that they decide problems in their community themselves not relying on other people. It’s the association between people who everyone is motivated and knows everyone else. There is generosity to be able to discuss lively, and there is also the culture of openness to respect the independence of residents.
The people in Minamioguni has been trying an economic development project with a focus on the people’s power since nearly 30 year ago. They utilize and improve what they have. They try to do all that they can do without relying on government. There are many “Higomokkosu” type who stick to their belief once they make up their mind. It also seems to add impetus to them. These spirits are being handed over to young generation.
People in Minamioguni live politely along with beautiful four seasons or natural rhythm and cherish their hometown painstakingly.
There is the community to share fresh vegetables and cooperate with each other compassionately. They have profound breadth of mind and spiritual richness that can’t be visualized in a monetized economy. The naiveness that they can say innocently “There is nothing here” is good. I feel happy just to be here.

Interviewed in October, 2014