On January 13^th and 14^th, we visited Matsuzaki Town in Izu Shizuoka Prefecture.

Regional revitalization is an issue facing the whole of Japan.　Matsuzaki Town in Izu is no different, and it is a

region that is familiar to us as our head office is in Shizuoka Prefecture. Through one of our business connections, we were put in touch with the chairman of the Matsuzaki town council and were subsequently invited there for a two-day tour.

This town was developed by immigrants from the Korea Peninsula around the 7^th century, and shipbuilding technology developed there. Due to its warm climate and convenient maritime transportation, it has been a prosperous region on the Izu Peninsula since ancient times.

During the Kamakura period, the area came under the control of the Hojo clan, and after the Sengoku period, trade flourished in the Meiji period, during which the silk industry also flourished. The townscape still contains the mansions of the wealthy merchants of that time who prospered from silk-reeling factories.

Many houses built with namako walls from the Edo period remain, reminding us of the prosperity of those times. However due to postwar modernization and the surrounding mountains, trains were unable to run through the area, severely restricting transportation.

As a result of the town being insulated from the rest of Japan, it became a hidden gem, beautifully preserving the old scenery like a snapshot of history frozen in time. This location has been featured in many popular movies and TV Dramas.

Matsuzaki-born painter Irie Chohachi, who studied under the Kano school of painters during the Edo period, became famous as a plasterer, applying brilliant colors to plasterwork, and today the modern Chohachi Museum is a symbol of the town.

You can enjoy the beautiful and spectacular view of Mr. Fuji from every angle, from the top of mountain or the seaside or many spots.

The region is blessed with an abundance of food from the sea and mountains, hot springs, and even a meditation village.

We were so impressed with this place and its abundance of potential, that we will be proposing ideas to bring further prosperity to this little gem of a town in the future.