[Hida City, Gifu] Exploring the Essence of Hida Furukawa's 'Living Townscape.' The Guidebook 'Hida Furukawa Town Trail 3' is Now Available!

Hida City, Gifu Prefecture (Mayor: Junya Tsuzuki), has begun sales of the latest installment in its guidebook series, 'Hida Furukawa Town Trail 3: Decoding Soba and the Townscape,' at the Hida no Takumi Culture Center starting in May. The townscape of Hida Furukawa was once praised by author Ryotaro Shiba in his work 'Kaido wo Yuku' as having 'remarkable elegance and antique character.' This special 36-page book condenses three years of research conducted from fiscal 2023 by Hida City, Niigata University, and local residents to uncover the mystery of the 'Soba' spirit that has supported this beauty. It is the long-awaited release, 20 years after the previous 'Town Trail 2.' Unlike typical government-led guidebooks, 'Town Trail' is based on a concept originating in the UK: 'resident-led town inspection.' Hida Furukawa has evolved this method into a unique three-way collaboration between residents, the local government, and academic institutions. The theme of this work is 'Soba,' the virtue of residents that supports the beautiful landscape. While previous editions focused on architectural techniques, this third edition focuses on the spirit of the residents who have nurtured and protected these buildings. The book explains with photos and illustrations how building designs and daily life adjustments harmonize with the surroundings. The production involved 'town-walking workshops' and interviews over three years. 'Soba' represents a 'heart of consideration' that respects individuality while valuing harmony. We invite you to use this book to rediscover the deep charm of Hida Furukawa.