Vanishing Act: Thoughts about the Disappearing People in the Countryside of Japan

Sannohe Town, Aomori, Japan. One of the 9 (soon to be 11) cat statues around town disappearing in the snow.

Today I had the opportunity to participate in a short tour in Sannohe Town, Aomori. There was a small festival event going on with many people out and about in spite of the ankle-deep snow and slippery roads. Talking with some of the people there got me thinking about an issue I have considered a few times in the past. They told me about how the town has decreased in population quite a lot over the past few years. I’ve heard this similar story countless times in different places in the countryside of Japan. One cause is that people are not having as many children as they used to have. My opinion is that having fewer children is fine. There are a lot of people in the world, and we may run out of food and resources if we keep increasing. The other main cause is that people are moving to cities, especially young people. They are raised in the countryside, but then they leave to raise their own families elsewhere. There are not enough jobs that pay well out here. There is mainly a lot of farming, and not everyone wants to spend their life doing that. 

So the first question I want to consider is whether this decrease is a problem or not. I like the quiet life with fewer people. I like teaching the small classes at my schools. However, some of the potential problems are that there are fewer people farming and producing food to support all these people who live in cities and there is a loss of knowledge and skills because there is no one to pass them onto. Each town I visit in Aomori has its own festivals and events, its own mascot characters, and its own specialty foods and crafts. If one town disappeared, a lot would be lost. There are probably people here who practice skills or make recipes that people have done for countless years, but they are the last to do it, and that knowledge will disappear with them. It’s a bit sad to imagine, but also the reality of life. Things come and go. We cannot keep something constant forever. 

For now, let’s accept the reality that things come and go and loss is to be expected on the large scale of a population. I cannot do much to make an effect on the countryside, especially as a foreigner in a strange land who may only be here for a short time. I’m a small blip in the lives of the people I meet. But down on the individual level, I want to do better. Every experience is worthwhile in some way and contains lessons, so gaining as much experience as I can about the countryside in Japan for myself may not change anything for other people, but it will change me. It has changed me already. 

Many people I talk with about my life in Aomori have told me that I really seem to enjoy it. That’s true. But what’s more is that I enjoy it so much,  I want to share it with other people. I want them to enjoy the beautiful scenery, delicious food, and interesting people you can only find here. I want more people to try it and learn to love the countryside. I want them to find their place here. It’s not for everyone, but for those who can benefit from living here, I want them to at least try it. It will probably not solve the population decrease. Only a huge shift in attitude for a lot of people will repopulate the countryside. However, bringing in more people interested in learning from the countryside will ensure it stays alive and well, even if these people come only for the short-term. That is why many towns set up guided tours of their area and make pamphlets and events to attract people. Growing up in Utah where the population seemed to be always shooting upward with new houses constantly being built, I am still getting used to this tourism concept. It is one step to helping the countryside grow again. If we cannot keep people, at least we can bring them here for a while and give them the experience and knowledge only found here. All will not be lost. 

So whether or not the disappearing population in the countryside is really an issue that needs a solution, I want to challenge you to try out living here. For your own increase in experience, visit the countryside areas and discover what you can learn from the people here. Keep that knowledge from disappearing by learning it and making it a part of yourself. Cherish it, share it, and bring more people to help out the countryside. 

If you are interested in visiting a town in the countryside in Japan but don’t know what to see or where to start, I recommend contacting the town office in the town you are interested in. They usually have a tourism department that will gladly give you information on what to see and do or even set up a guided tour for you. They often have people who can speak at least some English, too, if you are worried about the language barrier. You don’t know until you try. Experience the countryside in Japan!