Let's bring back the good old Niitsu railway town
Award Winners
Niigata Prefectural Gosen High School
Yui Inoue
Rediscovering my hometown
We propose a tourism plan that deepens learning about traditional crafts and local specialties such as the historic "Niitsu Railway," "Niitsu ware," and "three-color dango" through strolling and experiencing the town of Niitsu. By enjoying various experience opportunities and communicating with the warm people of Niitsu, we hope to spread the charm of Niitsu to many people and contribute to preserving Niitsu's traditions for future generations.
Ways to revitalize the local area
- Rediscovery [1] Niitsu Railway Museum
With the desire to "pass on the railway culture of Niitsu City, a town of railways, to future generations," a movement was started by former employees of the Japanese National Railways and railway enthusiasts to establish a railway-themed museum, and the Niitsu City Railway Museum was opened on October 14, 1983 (Railway Memorial Day). - Rediscovery [2] Moegi Pottery Studio - Three-Colored Dumplings
Moegi Kobo is a studio that produces Niitsu ware and also holds pottery classes in order to preserve the "Niitsu ware" that has been passed down since the Edo period. In addition, Sanshoku Dango is a specialty that originated in Niitsu and has been around since 1916, and is currently only made at Okashitsukasa Hanyu. - Rediscovery [3] Niitsu Railway Shopping Street
Around 300 years ago, during the Kyoho era, a market began to be held regularly in Niitsu. Nowadays, the area has become known as a shuttered shopping street due to the aging population, but community-based events are still held throughout the year, and recently, people have been opening shops aimed at young people.
Tourists first take a commemorative photo with the Ban'etsu Monogatari train at Niitsu Station. Next, they go to the Japan Transport Engineering Company's Niitsu Plant to see how the trains are made. Afterwards, they experience making Niitsu ware pottery at Moegi Pottery Studio. Around lunchtime, they move to Niitsu Shopping Street and enjoy a leisurely stroll while having lunch. The tour ends with an experience of making three-colored dango at Okashitsukasa Hanyu. After the tour, they are given coupons that can be used at Niitsu Shopping Street, so that tourists can return to Niitsu Shopping Street to pick up their completed Niitsu ware at a later date.
Secondary screening video material
Comments and points regarding the award
The materials were very well-crafted, and the presentation was very polished, so it was clear that they had worked hard and tirelessly on the project. The plan included a Niitsu ware pottery experience, and a system was set up so that tourists would return to Niitsu when they had completed their work, and the fact that they had also thought out a strategy to attract repeat visitors was a point that deserves praise. It was very well thought out, but at the same time, it seemed a little unclear what the selling points of the plan were because it was packed with content. When developing a plan, if you decide what the main axis is and think about it from the center, I think you will end up with a well-crafted business plan that is easy for consumers to understand. Overall, it was a very well-thought-out proposal.
Learning about aspirations in a place connected to the father of Japanese capitalism, Eiichi Shibusawa
Award Winners
Okayama Prefectural Yakage High School
Mari Miyake
Rediscovering my hometown
The turbulent life of "Shibusawa Eiichi", the father of Japanese capitalism, is being broadcast on NHK's historical drama "Seiten wo Tsuke". My hometown, Ibara City, was involved in the turning points of Shibusawa Eiichi's life. In addition, there is a deep connection between Eiichi Shibusawa and the Chinese scholar and Confucian scholar "Sakatani Roro", who he became close with and studied under during his stay, as his son later married Eiichi Shibusawa's daughter. We are planning a tour of Ibara City that will take you around the places associated with Eiichi Shibusawa and Sakata Roro, and take a lecture on the "Hakurodo Shoin Notice Board" in the Kojokan Auditorium, which has remained unchanged since the time of Eiichi Shibusawa.
Ways to revitalize the local area
Sakatani Roro, known as a Chinese scholar, Confucian scholar, and educator in the late Edo period and as a government official during the Meiji Restoration, and Shibusawa Eiichi, a retainer of the Hitotsubashi family at the time, developed a close friendship in Nishiehara Village, Bitchu Province (present-day Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture), and successfully recruited farmers for the army. The Kojokan lecture hall where the two met still exists, and the core of this plan is to attend a lecture on the "Hakurodo Shoin Notice" there. First, tour participants will visit the "Special Exhibition: Shibusawa Eiichi and Ibara" at the Ibara City Cultural Assets Center Ancient Mahoroba Hall. Then, they will rent bicycles to visit places related to Shibusawa Eiichi and Sakatani Roro, such as (1) Okei Juku, (2) Kojokan, (3) Hitotsubashi Jinya Ruins, (4) Jibokunju Monument, (5) Yamanari Sake Brewery, and (6) Magose Kyohei's Birthplace. Finally, the participants will move to the Kojokan Auditorium and listen to a lecture on "Hakurodo Shoin Kiho" by Vice Principal of Kojokan High School. "Hakurodo Shoin Kiho" was the school motto adopted by Sakatani Ryouro when Kojokan was first established, and has remained as the founding spirit that has permeated the foundation of Kojokan's education for the past 168 years.
This plan is recommended for viewers of historical dramas, history buffs, and people who want to rediscover local history. It is also recommended for elementary and junior high school students who are taking alternative day trips within the prefecture after their school trips were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Secondary screening video material
Comments and points regarding the award
It was wonderful to take up the local historical place of learning, Kojokan, and discover its connection to Eiichi Shibusawa, who is currently in the limelight. I also felt that the plan was well-crafted, combining a rental bicycle trip with a lecture on the "Hakurodo Shoin Bulletin Board" at Kojokan. I hope that the planners will continue to spread the aspirations of Seiun, proud that such a base of learning exists in their local area. One point they made was that they introduced a map to use during the cycling trip, but I think it would be a better tourist plan if they also included a device to promote recommended spots, such as an introduction to famous places that would make tourists want to visit.
2021 Grand Prize 2021 Jury's Recommendation Prize
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