Nimaida Noboru is a most unique character who’s living a story many people cannot quite imagine but are instantly fascinated by. He grew up in the small Japanese village of Ozuchi, located in the south of the Kaga area in Ishikawa Prefecture, less than two and a half hours from Kyoto. In the mid-18th century, Ozuchi Village was a prosperous coal-producing community with nearly 300 residents, but later over half of the families relocated to Hokkaido to assist with local development. At that time, Ozuchi was facing a challenge that thousands of other Japanese villages were dealing with – finding themselves with an aging population and little to no younger influence to help bear the brunt of physical work and harsh seasons. This phenomenon has given way to a renewed effort in Japan to restore tradition, culture and architecture in small villages and Nimaida, noticing later in life how Ozuchi had been affected so drastically, made a bold decision to return. Solo.
He currently and proudly is the sole resident, rice farmer and caretaker now of Ozuchi Village with his cat “Casa” and the goal of preserving its heritage for many generations over the next 100 years. Nimaida never chooses to walk the easy road. His return was guided by his love for the village and began by making charcoal in an outdoor kiln, a painstaking 5 day process with limited opportunity for profitability and thereafter took to rice farming.
True to the village’s roots, Nimaida employs traditional if not complex methods of growing rice and graciously receives travelers and volunteers from around the world that wish to spend time with him learning about his passions. Currently, ten out of forty four houses remain in the area, which has been designated as a National Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings in Japan. In 2013, Nimaida founded an organization called Shizentaiken Ozuchi Mura (SOM) and continues to improve the village by attracting volunteers from around the world. These volunteers have a unique opportunity to learn about the local history and culture while collaborating on maintaining the village and its abandoned houses. They also brainstorm new ideas to further promote the area’s attractions to global travelers.
And now, travelers can also embark on a most unique experience with him along the Journey To The Remote Hamlet of Only One Resident. This guided tour includes a private car with expert guide to and from Ozuchi, and time well spent with its sole resident to experience the local lifestyle and learning more about the efforts it takes to manage the upkeep and ensure harmony between flora and fauna at Ozuchi Village. The experience is available April through November.
For more information Ishikawa’s tourism opportunities, please visit ishikawatravel.jp/en/
