103rd SGH Mail – Liberal Arts Project
Fieldwork at the Nozato Shopping Arcade
December 15th 2015
Two students participated by going to the Nozato Shopping Arcade
Expert in attendance: Mr. Katsuhiko Owaki from the Nozato Town Planning NPO
Two students from Group D1 of our high school conducted fieldwork at the Nozato Shopping Arcade. Their research project is about “historical tourism and global tourism development”. They listened to a lecture about the current situation of the Nozato Shopping and its revitalization from Mr. Owaki. He is the owner of Owariya and a member of the Nozato Town Planning NPO. During their last fieldwork trip, they found him doing research on foot themselves. This time, they could interview him and ask him about various things in the reception room.
Below, we collated the notes of the students:
- In 2015: The Nozato Shopping Arcade received an urban view prize for Himeji City. It is given out every 3 years. This was the first time a whole street had received it. Utility poles and vending machines along the street are colored brown and there are rules for the coloring of the exterior walls of buildings in order to preserve the view.
Events:
- In May (around Golden Week) displaying dolls for the Boys Festival along the street
- The exhibition of old dolls which people have kept
- Restarting the running of old minicars like the Mizetto
- Restarting the running of an SL locomotive
- The event was for the local people, not for tourists
- One of the problems is creating new features because of the decreasing number of dolls
- The winter solstice: local foods are served and special lanterns are lit
- Morning market: a morning market is held on the street every third Sunday morning from 7am to 10am
Reusing of old houses:
- making guest houses out of the old houses
- It is difficult to get the approval to do so
- Share houses have been suggested
Activities in the future:
- we think that we will collaborate with the Nozato Town Planning NPO in new events in the future to help the street revitalize.
