美山。
Miyama.

美山は京都市から50kmほど北に位置し、車で1時間15分ほどの距離です。透明度が高い日本海までは車で45分ほどの距離です。周りは標高800〜900mの山々に囲まれ、鉄道は無く、そのためこの地域では「開発」がそれほど進められておらず、手付かずの自然やかやぶき屋根民家など伝統的建築物が多く残り、日本の原風景として知られています。日本のどこにでもある風景である、コンビニ、スーパーマーケット、ファミリレストラン、洋服チェーン店などは皆無です。陸の孤島とも言えます。美山町を取り囲む山々のせいか、年々雪の量は減っているものの、豪雪地帯に指定されています。夏の日中は京都市と同じくらい気温が上がるものの、夜はエアコンなしで眠ることができます。天気さえ良ければ美山の夜は満天の星空。夏には天の川を目視できる日もあります。京都の日本海に注ぐ由良川は美山町で生まれ、ここでは美山川と呼ばれています。美山川もその支流も美しく、初夏には蛍が舞い、夏には泳ぐことができ、多くの人が川遊びに訪れます。しかし美山では人口減少が続き、1960年に10,000人だった人口は30年後の1995年には5,500人に、そしてさらにその30年後の2025年には3,200人になっています。更に65歳以上の人口が50%以上となり、美山町全体で見ると美山は限界集落といえます。

Miyama is located about 50km north of Kyoto City, about an hour and 15 minutes by car. The crystal clear waters of the Sea of ​​Japan are about a 45 minute drive away. Surrounded by mountains with 800-900m height above sea level, Miyama has no railroads. The area has not seen much development, and is known for its untouched natural beauty and traditional architecture, such as thatched roof houses. There are no convenience stores, supermarkets, family restaurants, or clothing chain stores, which are common sights in Japan even in countryside. It can be described as an isolated island on land. Perhaps due to the mountains surrounding Miyama although the amount of snow is decreasing year by year, it is still designated as a heavy snow area. Although the temperature rises as high as Kyoto City during the summer daytime, you can sleep at night without air conditioning. If the weather is good, Miyama nights are filled with stars. On some summer days, you can even see the Milky Way. The Yura River, which flows into the Sea of ​​Japan in Kyoto, originates in Miyama and is called the Miyama River here. The Miyama River and its tributaries are beautiful, with fireflies flying in early summer, attracting many people to swim and enjoy the river. However, Miyama’s population continues to decline, with the population of 10,000 in 1960 falling to 5,500, 30 years later in 1995, and then to 3,200, 30 years after that in 2025. Furthermore, with over 50% of the population being 65 years old or older, Miyama can be considered a marginal community.