The Postcard-Perfect Japanese Village With A Population Of One

Nestled amongst rolling green fields of rice paddies in the south of Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture lies a picturesque village. At its peak, upward of 300 people called this small town their home, but today the population has diminished to only one man and a cat named Casa. 71-year-old Noboru Nimaida is the sole resident of Ozuchi — living out many introverts' dreams of solitude. However, the reason for this life, which some think of as lonely, is not to take a break from the busy cities in Japan. Nimaida grew up in Ozuchi, and like many others, he moved to a larger city for greater opportunity. Since so many leave the villages they grew up in, Japan faces a major issue with millions of abandoned homes.

Nimaida doesn't want to see his hometown disappear like so many others throughout Japan. His pursuit hasn't been without its challenges, but Nimaida decided the best thing for his hometown was to move back and work on its restoration and maintenance. According to an interview with Atlas Obscura, he had no "plan to save the village: he was drawn back to his home by his love for it." A friend saw how taxing restoring his hometown solo was and suggested Nimaida try NICE, a program that sends volunteers to help others with projects around the world. 

After hosting his first group of volunteers in 2013, Nimaida fell in love with sharing his traditional ideals. Today, Ozuchi has seen volunteers, hikers, artists, and travelers from all over, coming to help and simply chat with Nimaida. Thanks to Nimaida's efforts, Ozuchi has been designated an Important Preservation Area for Groups of Traditional Buildings. His goal is to restore the village to its original glory and keep welcoming visitors for many more years to come.

Those who don't wish to volunteer in Ozuchi can walk freely about the grounds, taking in the small village steeped in tradition. Visitors can also join a tour group to learn more about the village and Nimaida's continued work to preserve it. Thankfully for those visiting the south of Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, Ozuchi is not the only place people can explore to learn about Japanese culture and tradition. Ishikawa Prefecture is home to many beautiful cities and villages, where travelers can unwind and immerse themselves in natural and man-made beauty. View the stunning peaks of Mt. Hakusan, one of Japan's most sacred mountains, which can be climbed during the summer months. Panoramic views from the top give way to the beauty of the Japanese Alps and the Sea of Japan below.

For those who don't wish to climb the mountain, renting a car and exploring the Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road (a beautiful pass that winds through Hakusan National Park) is a great way to spend a day in nature. Accessible from mid-June to mid-November, the region invites visitors to pass by roaring waterfalls, observation points, and mild hiking trails with stunning views. After a long day of hiking, visitors can unwind in one of the four traditional hot spring villages in Kaga Onsen — Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Awazu, and Katayamazu. From here, learn about Kutaniyaki, a Japanese porcelain that can be seen today at the Kutaniyaki Art Museum in Kaga. Visitors can explore Ishikawa by bullet train from Tokyo and JR limited express trains from Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya (just make sure to know this train etiquette rule). There are also two airports to fly into: Komatsu Airport and Noto Satoyama Airport. Ozuchi is located about a 35-minute drive from Kagaonsen Station and 45 minutes from Komatsu Airport.