Tokamachi Area
Brief introduction
The Tokamachi area is located on the east side of the Shinanogawa River and has been developed through agriculture and the textile industry. Residents from surrounding villages used to bring products to the markets in Tokamachi which transformed it into a sort of regional “hub” and even today in the winter season, visitors can get a feel of this market atmosphere as neighbouring villagers visit Tokamachi when their own villages are snowed under. In addition to rice production on the fields of the river terraces, the Tokamachi community has developed multiple agriculture including horticulture and mushrooms. Tokamachi’s textile industry history and culture can still be observed across the city.
History
Flame-type earthenware vessels which have been designated as a national treasure, were excavated from the Sasayama Remains in the Nakajyo area of Tokamachi during an archeological survey in the 1970s. It is estimated that these vessels were produced in the middle of the Jomon Era about 4500 years ago. They have handles that look like roaring fire and their shape and patterns are highly-regarded artistically, representing primitive Japanese artwork. Visitors can see these vessels and learn about life during the Jomon Era at the Tokamachi-city Museum.
Facilities in this area
Events in this area
The Six Areas
Tokamachi
Area
Tokamachi is located on the east side of the Shinanogawa River and has been developed through agriculture and the textile industry. Over ten elementary schools have closed inthis area due to depopulation and one of the closed school has transformed into the "Museum of Picture Book Art" by Seizo Tashima.
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Kawanishi
Area
Kawanishi is located on a 50m-high hill on the western side of the Shinanogawa River. Visitors can enjoy a visit to "House of Light" by James Turrell, and "Berry Spoon", a blueberry farm run by local residents.
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Nakasato
Area
Nakasato is surrounded by Shinanogawa River, Kiyotsu River, Kama River, and Nana River, this area is florished by water. The westeland by the river bank of Kama River which was once a place for locals to play was returned to a beautiful parkland by Finnish architect practice, Casagrande and RIntala.
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Matsudai
Area
Matsudai is a hilly area surrounded by mountains that stretches along the Shibumi River, one of the branches of Shinanogawa River. The "Shedding House", a renovation of the old minka house is close to the famous terraced rice fields in Hoshitoge villaget and is available to stay overnight.
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Matsunoyama
Area
Matsunoyama is a mountainous area approximately 200 to 600 meter above sea-level and is located on the border of Niigata and Nagano prefectures.The greeny Daigonji Highland is locatedon on 700m above sea-level.
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Tsunan
Area
Tsunan is located at the southern tip of Niigata prefecture on the border of Nagano prefecture. Lots of ruins from the Jomon Era (14,000 – 300 BC) have been discovered in this area. The accmmodation, Katakuri House using the wooden elementary school is also located in this area.
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