The era is truly the "Era of Regions".
In recent years, as the call for regional revitalization has grown louder, Kasaoka City in Okayama Prefecture is also focusing on attracting new residents from outside the city.
The responsible department is the Policy Department's Settlement Promotion Center.
In late May, when the arrival of summer could be felt, I visited two vacant houses for sale and for rent in the Oshima Naka area of Kasaoka City with a guide from the Settlement Promotion Center.
Although the sky was unfortunately cloudy, I was very satisfied with the rich content of the visit!
I will report on the day's events, which felt just like a sightseeing tour.
As of April 1, 2025, the Policy Department's Settlement Promotion Center will be abolished, and its operations will be transferred to related departments.
- Immigration and settlement operations and Community Revitalization Cooperator operations will be transferred to the Urban Development Division's Urban Development Section
- Vacant house and vacant land bank operations will be transferred to the Urban Planning Division's Vacant House Measures Section
The information provided is based on the article published in June 2022. Please note that it may differ from current information.
A Reliable Immigration Concierge! What is the Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center?
The Settlement Promotion Center is located in a corner of the Kasaoka City Hall grounds, positioned like a separate building.
The Settlement Promotion Center, under the jurisdiction of the Kasaoka City Policy Department, is responsible for various operations aimed at increasing the resident population of Kasaoka City.
Main Operations
It is not an exaggeration to say that the Settlement Promotion Center serves as a base camp for creating vibrancy in Kasaoka City.
Its operations mainly focus on the following six areas.
- Immigration and settlement support projects
- City promotion projects to showcase the charm of Kasaoka City
- Support projects related to living, handling various subsidies
- Marriage promotion projects
- Projects related to the Youth Conference ("Bokke-Machi Conference")
- Projects related to the Community Revitalization Cooperators
Each of these initiatives is essential for the revitalization of Kasaoka City.
Personally, I have greatly benefited from the "projects related to the Community Revitalization Cooperators".
As a centerpiece of regional revitalization policy, the Community Revitalization Cooperator system was launched by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in fiscal year 2009.
Many uniquely talented individuals have moved from urban areas to rural regions, engaging in various community activities.
In Kasaoka City, the Settlement Promotion Center serves as the accepting department for these Community Revitalization Cooperators.
I myself moved to Kasaoka City as a Community Revitalization Cooperator in June 2020.
Although I had no connections to Kasaoka City, the staff members have been very supportive since my arrival.
Not only do they provide support for cooperator activities, but they also assist with daily life in the community and even private dining…
They are truly reliable partners!
Such meticulous support may be difficult to find in the bloated administrations of urban areas.
The warm relationships are unique to rural areas.
The most significant strength of the Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center is its citizen services that are full of human warmth.
Vacant House and Vacant Land Bank System
The "Immigration and Settlement Support Project," which can be considered the main operation of the Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center.
At its core is the Vacant House and Vacant Land Bank System.
In a nutshell, this system is a non-profit real estate operation.
The administration acts as an intermediary, introducing vacant houses and vacant land within the city to interested parties.
The registration information of vacant houses and vacant land that has been submitted by owners in advance can be viewed on the city's website or at the Settlement Promotion Center's office.
As of May 2022, it is reported that there are approximately 100 registered properties and about 10 plots of land in Kasaoka City.
If you find a property or land that interests you or are looking for a specific vacant house or land, you will need to submit a registration document detailing your desired conditions to utilize the system.
If there are requests from users during the process of narrowing down the desired properties or land, it is possible to tour the site with a staff member on weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM.
When you want to buy or rent a vacant house or land that meets your conditions, you will proceed to the contract.
First, negotiations with the owner.
If an agreement is reached between the interested party and the owner, the contract will be successfully established under the mediation of a local real estate agent with a real estate transaction qualification.
On average, about 50 contracts are successfully established each year using the Kasaoka City Vacant House and Vacant Land Bank System.
This number is said to be high compared to neighboring municipalities.
The Vacant House and Vacant Land Bank System is greatly appreciated by newcomers.
I have personally experienced touring vacant houses in the area.
Start of Property Tour
On the day of the vacant property tour, the sky was overcast.
Even so, I was warmly welcomed by the vacant house and vacant land bank staff members of the Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center, Ayako Shinagawa and Taeko Murakami.
With their guidance, we toured two charming vacant houses in the Oshima Naka area, which borders the Yorishima area of Asakuchi City.
Before heading to the site, we first checked the property information at the Settlement Promotion Center's office.
I expanded my imagination in advance.
After confirming the general property information, we finally set off!
We headed to the area, about a 15-minute drive from the Settlement Promotion Center.
A Traditional House Just a Short Walk to the Sea
The first house is a solidly built traditional house located in the Daikono-hama area of Oshima Naka.
It features a two-story wooden structure with a tiled roof, along with a separate two-story building.
Additionally, it comes with a large garden, farmland (rice fields), and even a forest.
And most importantly, the majestic Seto Inland Sea is just a stone's throw away!
It is indeed a prime location where you can truly feel the essence of "Kasaoka, the town by the sea".
This property, which exudes a sense of dignity, was built in 1927, meaning it has been standing for an impressive 95 years as of 2022.
It truly has the charm of a traditional house, and stepping inside the entrance will give you the sensation of having time-traveled.
There is a long, narrow corridor by the window on the second floor.
Combined with the armrest railing, it exudes an indescribable elegance, reminiscent of a novel by Junichiro Tanizaki.
During the hotter seasons, I want to relax here, gazing at the sea while listening to the sound of wind chimes as background music...
Throughout the tatami-floored room, there is a lineup of tasteful furnishings and antiques.
Like a museum, it delights the eyes.
There is also a retro record player and an upright piano.
Are they still in use?
They have a wonderful charm.
And... there it was.
The steep staircase leading to the second floor!
It's a common feature in old folk houses.
It reminds me of my grandmother's house in the countryside.
This property, with its stacked history, radiates a dignified aura.
Yet, it also evokes a sense of nostalgic warmth.
Having enjoyed every corner of the house, let's head to the next destination.
An Ocean View Property on a Hill
Next, we visited the Shoto area in the Oshima-naka district, adjacent to the Daikonomihama area.
We visited a property with an excellent view built on a steep slope.
We parked our car in a seaside parking lot and climbed the hill.
Breathless, we made our way up the narrow sloped path, and soon the property we were aiming for came into view.
And when I looked back… there was a panoramic ocean view!
The first property is no less impressive, boasting a wonderful location that lives up to the name of "the seaside town of Kasaoka."
This wooden, tile-roofed single-story building is very compact in design.
Let's go inside right away.
Situated on a hill, the sea breeze rushing up feels pleasant as it sweeps through the room.
Looking around the room, I discovered a retro item next to the kitchen!
It's a rice bin with a measuring device.
This type, integrated with a cupboard, might not even be recognized as a rice bin by some people today.
I barely remember having one at my parents' house when I was young.
How nostalgic.
As I continued to explore the interior, I felt a strange sense of incongruity...
According to the property registration information, it was supposed to be a single-story building, but a staircase leading up appeared.
It looked like a steep staircase that had been forcibly added to the kitchen.
Climbing cautiously up the staircase, which was at an angle that could be mistaken for the wall, using both hands for support, I found a space of about eight tatami mats opening up.
It turns out this room was self-extended by the owner later on.
With a low ceiling and an impressive beam made from a single piece of wood.
It evokes the image of a secret hidden room.
It seems like it could be used as attic storage or a relaxing space to unwind.
This property, while not flashy, has a modest and calming atmosphere.
On my way out, I found something interesting at the entrance.
It's a talisman of Tsuno Daishi.
This talisman is based on the legend of the Heian period monk Ganzan Daishi Ryogen, known as "the founder of the revival of Hieizan Enryaku-ji."
It is believed that by placing it at the entrance of the house, it wards off all calamities, especially epidemics.
In these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, I left the property while praying for the end of the pandemic.
Compared to the uphill journey there, the return was quick.
I had a little time left, so I stopped by the Oshima Minohama Fishing Cooperative.
Here, a morning market is held every morning at 8 AM, except on Wednesdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
They offer a wide variety of fresh seafood just caught, and since regular customers can purchase them, it is bustling with locals every day.
The market is open until noon, but it closes as soon as items sell out, so I recommend going early.
The area filled with fresh fish is exciting to explore just by looking around!
In early summer, it is said that rockfish and nebuto (red sea bream) are in season in the waters off Kasaoka.
I should come back to buy some leisurely...
Life by the Sea / Introduction to the Oshima Naka District of Kasaoka City
I visited two vacant houses.
They are located in the southeastern tip of Kasaoka City, in the town embraced by the sea, the Oshima Naka District.
The reason I moved to Kasaoka was that I was strongly attracted to the unique townscape woven around the sea and the lifestyle rooted in the sea.
Administrative services, transportation convenience, education, work...
When deciding to relocate, I think there are several key points that cannot be overlooked.
The points that people prioritize vary greatly, but the atmosphere of the town, or what could be called a certain "strong scent of the town," is also one of the significant factors when deciding to move.
The Oshima Naka District emits an indescribable attractive fragrance.
I would like to introduce two areas of this Oshima Naka District from the perspective of an "outsider."
The Relaxed Daikurano Hama Area
Positioned at the easternmost part of the Oshima-naka district is the Daikuno-hama area.
Just a short walk from the property I viewed, there is a small beach of the same name, Daikuno-hama.
It is a very small beach, and hardly any leisure visitors stop by.
The water is highly transparent, making it a perfect place to relax.
Offshore, seaweed nets and fixed nets are set up.
With an unpretentious atmosphere, it truly has the charm of a beach for living.
Adjacent to Daikuno-hama, there is a small port that you might pass by without noticing if you weren't paying attention.
It may not be used much anymore.
When I visited, there wasn't a single boat in sight.
A wide road runs along the beach, and perhaps due to the narrowing of the port's entrance for bridge construction, the tidal flow has changed, causing the seawater in the port to almost recede at low tide, making it difficult to moor boats.
Even so, beside the port stands a stone Joyato dedicated to Konpira-san, a deity worshipped by maritime professionals, still towering and conveying the vibrancy of that time.
The charm of the Daikuno-hama area is not just the sea.
If you step into the depths of the village, you will see a satoyama with a pastoral atmosphere.
The blue of the sea and the green of the fields.
The natural contrast is soothing to the heart.
Also, a short walk away is the Share Atelier Umi no Kosha, where creators from inside and outside the city gather.
As of May 2022, this facility has been open for a full year, utilizing the wooden school building of the former Oshima Higashi Elementary School, which has been closed.
It evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Surrounded by the sea and mountains, the Daikuno-hama area flows with relaxed time.
It provides an ideal environment for solitary contemplation and the creation of new values.
The Scenic Seito Area
In contrast to the relatively flat Daikuno-hama area, the second property is located in the Seito area, where the slope rises sharply from the coastline, with houses clustered on the mountainside.
Access to each home inevitably requires going up and down hills, which can be quite challenging.
Additionally, it presents the typical appearance of a fishing village, with houses built closely together in a dense manner.
The narrow alleys that weave through the gaps between the houses create a maze-like appearance.
Walking through the village with the ups and downs of the sloped terrain and the intricate paths feels like embarking on an adventurous journey.
In a village that unfolds on steep slopes, the technique of stone masonry naturally develops.
In the Seito area, you can glimpse impressive stone structures everywhere.
As you walk through the Seito village, you often encounter deities.
You can feel the enduring faith that lives on.
The last stop on my property tour was the Oshima Bi no Hama Fishing Cooperative, adjacent to the port of Seito.
Nearby is the office of the NPO Oshima Community Development Council, which aims to revitalize the entire region.
The relationship between life in the Seito area and the fishing port is inseparable.
The sea truly functions as the center of the community.
It is no wonder that Seito has many scenic views.
From the Writer
A vacant house tour with the staff of Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center.
It was a special experience that allowed me to feel not only the properties but also the atmosphere of the region.
The vividness of life and the unique texture of the town.
While we tend to focus on practical indicators, which can often be overlooked, I believe this is the starting point when considering relocation.
In the Oshima-naka district of Kasaoka City that I visited, there was a captivating air filled with history and culture nurtured by the sea.
The tour of vacant houses allowed me to encounter rich values.
I look forward to the detailed Kasaoka version of the vacant house and vacant land bank system, led by the Settlement Promotion Center, which is a flagbearer for the "era of local revitalization"!
- Model: Ayumi from Fukuyama Idol Club & Boss
Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center Information
| Name | Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30 AM – 5:15 PM |
| Location | 1-1 Chuo-cho, Kasaoka City, Okayama |
| Website | Settlement Promotion Center (Kasaoka City Website) |
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