The history of preserving Shimotsui’s townscape and community development
What efforts are being made to preserve Shimotsui’s townscape?
We spoke with Yabuki Katsutoshi, vice chair of the Shimotsui Sea Village Project, which works to revitalize the community, and Masada Junya, its operations manager.
It began with the threat of demolishing a historic merchant house
How did the Shimotsui Sea Village Project get started?
Yabuki (honorific omitted)
It began in 2017, when we heard that the former Nakanishi-ke, one of the historic buildings remaining in Shimotsui’s townscape, was to be demolished because it had fallen into disrepair.
At the time, I was the director of a facility called the Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum. The facility makes use of a building once owned by Nakanishi-ke. I was very surprised when I heard that the Nakanishi-ke residence, right next to the Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum, was going to be demolished.
Around the same time, we also heard that the home of the former Ogino family, who had made their fortune in finance, shipping, and renting out storehouses, was to be demolished because of its age.
Both the Nakanishi and Ogino families were leading merchant families in Shimotsui, and their buildings are important to telling the story of Shimotsui’s history as a port town. I consider them a regional treasure.
So we wanted to prevent their demolition at all costs.
We spoke with the owner of the Nakanishi-ke, who now lives far away, and secured a one-year reprieve. We hoped to come up with a way to put the building to use during that time.
Meanwhile, while we were exploring options for the Ogino family home, it was damaged by a typhoon and became impossible to save. It also posed a danger to pedestrians and others, so unfortunately most of it had to be demolished.
I was determined to save the Nakanishi-ke. As I was considering ways to use it, Maki Nobuo, a Shimotsui native who runs a company, came to see me.
He said, “I want to help my hometown.” That was a great source of encouragement.
Masada (surname only)
Around that time, I learned about plans for the Nakanishi-ke on social media. I run a construction company in Kojima called Nanba Kenchiku Kobo.
I thought I might be able to help as a building professional, so I offered to work with Yabuki and the others. The issue of what to do with the Nakanishi-ke then spread to local residents and city hall, and we held many discussions. But it was difficult to come up with an effective solution.
We did find a way to use the building once, but circumstances forced us to abandon the plan. So we decided that my construction company would buy the Nakanishi-ke to preserve the building, while continuing to look for ways to use it.
A lively community and active residents are essential to preserving the townscape
How did the purchase lead to the Sea Village Project?
Yabuki
The three of us—me, Masada, and Maki—came to believe that preserving buildings and townscapes alone would not ensure they survive for future generations if no one uses them.
The old buildings and townscape remaining in Shimotsui reflect the lives of people in the past. Unless buildings are put to use today, they cannot be passed on to future generations.
However, population decline and an aging population had become serious problems in Shimotsui. The population had fallen by 23% in ten years, the aging rate was 44.3%, and the vacancy rate was about 20%—the highest in the city.
Fishing is now Shimotsui’s main industry. But catches have been declining due to changes in water quality and a warming climate. The local fishing industry was losing vitality, and the community was becoming less lively.
We felt that Shimotsui needed to be revitalized and energized. To preserve the “hardware”—the buildings and townscape—we decided to first prioritize strengthening the “software”: the vitality of the people and the community.
Masada
It was a shift from thinking about “preserving the townscape” to “preserving the town itself, including its townscape.” The three of us eventually formed the Shimotsui Sea Village Project to revitalize the community. It was October 2017.
Then, in 2019, we established Shimotsui Sea Village Co., Ltd. as the organization that would operate the project.
Ensuring activities continue for future generations, not just revitalizing the community
What are the project’s main activities?
Masada
“Energize the community and make it a place people can be proud of”
“Develop people who will lead the next generation”
“Create a system that keeps money circulating locally”
“Promote tourism and encourage people to move here”
These are the project’s four pillars.
We are not simply trying to revitalize the community. We keep in mind the need to make our activities sustainable for future generations.
One of our main activities is holding regular meetings twice a month, which we have continued since the project began.
At first, we held market events such as the “Shimotsui International Marche,” “Madakana Night Market,” and “Morning Peddlers’ Market.”
We also held a variety of other events, including exhibitions and sales of local products, art and paintings by artists, film screenings, and music events.
Yabuki
We also worked on supporting people moving to the area, including offering relocation consultations and helping people find vacant houses and traditional homes. We also hold networking events for new residents.
In 2023, we renovated the former site of a long-established tofu shop in Shimotsui’s townscape and opened Shimotsui Sea Village House, a trial residence for prospective newcomers.
We launched a program called Trial Stay Shimotsui, which lets people considering a move stay at Shimotsui Sea Village House and interact with local residents, so they can see in advance whether they and the community are a good fit.
It has been very well received.
Results emerge, including an increase in new residents and residents taking initiative
How is the project doing now?
Yabuki
The number of people moving to Shimotsui has been increasing in recent years. I think the area of Shimotsui and Kojima has a lot to offer, both geographically and culturally.
It may be thanks to our relocation support. On the other hand, some people seem to have moved here independently of our activities. We don’t know the exact number, since there are newcomers we haven’t been able to identify. But I can say with confidence that the number of people moving here is increasing.
Shimotsui has long been a port town that welcomed people from many other areas. Its historical character may also make it a welcoming place for newcomers.
Our trial residence has two rooms, and eight to ten groups use it each month. It is close to being fully booked.
It shows that a great many people are considering moving to Shimotsui. That makes us happy.
Masada
In recent years, both newcomers and long-time Shimotsui residents have begun to take the initiative in revitalizing Shimotsui.
For example, new businesses include Shimotsui Yado Kazemachi Shiomachi, a guesthouse renovated from a traditional house, and Danjo Denim, a jeans shop in another renovated traditional house.
Other businesses include Shimotsui Yokocho, renovated by a long-established seafood shop, and Eclatan, a Western-style confectionery shop opened by someone who moved back to the area.
Events include Shimotsui Sakaba, which brings newcomers and locals together, and Shimotsui Yoiakari. We also brought FM Kurashiki to the area and have held various other events.
These days, the Sea Village Project mainly advises and supports people starting initiatives such as events, and helps people moving to the area. We organize fewer events and other projects ourselves.
We feel that we are getting closer to the ideal situation we envisioned when we started the project, and that makes us very happy.
Future efforts will also focus on making use of the Nakanishi-ke
What are your plans and challenges for the future?
Masada
The biggest challenge is still finding a use for the former Nakanishi-ke, which was what prompted us to start the Sea Village Project.
We started the project to strengthen the “software” so we could preserve the “hardware.” Now that the community is thriving and the project is running on its own, it is finally time to focus on the Nakanishi-ke—the “hardware.”
We have actually settled on a plan for the Nakanishi-ke, and work is about to begin. The plan is to create a complex combining a sauna, bathing facilities, accommodation, and a restaurant.
As I work in construction, for now I will focus on how our company can restore the historic townscape as part of making use of the Nakanishi-ke.
It is a historic building from an earlier era. Even maintenance is costly. I am taking this responsibility seriously and am determined to see it through.
Yabuki
Shimotsui West Elementary School is scheduled to close following a merger. Finding a use for the former school site is another challenge for the future.
We would also like to consider attracting businesses. Right now, people throughout Shimotsui are putting their efforts into two events: Shimotsui Yoiakari and Bridal Procession. Both are new events, but if they continue, they will become traditions.
Yoiakari incorporates Shimotsui-bushi, while the Bridal Procession draws on the local tradition of wedding processions in the past. These new events are infused with tradition. The fresh ideas came from young people and newcomers.
I also think we could make use of Shimotsui’s strengths—its sea and seafood—and promote something like a seaside park with an attached fish market.
We hope to preserve Shimotsui’s buildings and townscape by revitalizing the area from many different angles.
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