Umaji, Kōchi

Umaji (馬路村, Umaji-mura) is the second smallest village in Kōchi Prefecture, located in Aki District, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan.

Umaji

馬路村
Village
View of Umaji
Flag
Chapter
Location of Umaji in Kōchi Prefecture
Umaji
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°33′N 134°3′E
CountryJapan
RegionShikoku
PrefectureKōchi Prefecture
DistrictAki
Government
 • MayorYamasaki　Izuru
Area
 • Total165.48 km2 (63.89 sq mi)
Population
 (January 1, 2020)
 • Total737
 • Density4.5/km2 (12/sq mi)
Symbols
 • TreeCryptomeria
 • FlowerYuzu
 • BirdBlue-and-white flycatcher
Time zoneUTC+9 (JST)
City hall address443 Umaji, Umaji-mura, Kōchi-ken
781-6201
Websitewww.vill.umaji.kochi.jp/html/index.htm

As of January 1, 2020, the village has an estimated population of 737 and a density of 4.45 persons per km2. The total area is 165.48 km2. The village has been on the verge of merging with nearby municipalities, but it has retained a strong sense of independence.

Umaji has been branded as one of the most beautiful villages in Japan[1].

Geography

Umaji is located in a mountainous region, and the Yasuda River flows through. Approximately 96% of the village is covered by forests, 75% of which are protected by the government. Major mountains include Mount Eboshi (1,320m) and Jinkichimori (1,423m).

Umaji is split up into two areas, the Umaji area and the Yanase area.

Umaji is part of the local area called Chugei 中芸 which includes Umaji, Yasuda, Tano, Nahari and Kitagawa.

Neighboring municipalities

Tourism

As well as two hot springs and several campsites, Umaji has a forest train, craft workshops, a village tour and other tourist activities.

Famous Sites

Notable Temples

Notable Shrines
  • Kumano Shrine (熊野神社) Designated as a prefectural important cultural property.
  • Yanase Kumano Shrine

Tourist Spots

Nature
  • Nishigawa Ravine (西川渓谷)
  • Higashigawa Ravine (東川渓谷)
  • Mount Senbon (千本山) (Home to one of the 100 Forest Giants)

Parks
  • Yanase Prefectural Nature Park (魚梁瀬県立自然公園)
    • Maruyama Park (Yanase Hot Springs, Forest Railway, Cherry Blossoms)
    • Yanase Big Bridge (Yanase Dam)

Hot Springs

Others

Festivals and Special Events
  • Yuzu Hajimaru Festival (First Sunday of November)
  • Yanase Sakura Festival (Beginning of April)
  • FESTIVAL Yanase (Mid-July)
  • Onsen Festival (August 15)
  • Umaji Oshidori Marathon (Beginning of October)
  • Kumano Shrine Festival (Yanase: Mid October, Umaji: First weekend of December)

Special Products
  • Yuzu and yuzu products (yuzu juice 'Gokkun Umajimura', ponzu soy sauce 'Yuzu no Mura', etc.)
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Inakazushi (sushi made with yuzu sushi vinegar and mountain vegetables)
  • Yanase cedar (for architecture and sculpting)

Economy

Forestry

Yanase cedar (cryptomeria) has been famous for hundreds of years. In the Edo Period, it was designated as a protected asset by the Tosa Domain. It became the prefectural tree, and is used for architecture and sculpting.

Farming

Beginning in the 1960s, Umaji has been a hub for the production of yuzu.[2] Whilst other areas have merged to make farming cooperatives, Umaji village seeks to remain independent, branding the village itself as a product.

Umaji's main yuzu products are its yuzu ponzu range and its successful yuzu drink, Gokkun Umajimura. Its yuzu products have become a national brand, appearing in several TV commercials over the years.

Education
  • Junior High Schools
    • Umaji Junior High School
    • Yanase Junior High School
  • Primary Schools
    • Umaji Elementary School
    • Yanase Elementary School

Access

Access is only by car or local bus. Umaji's local train station is in Yasuda which is about a 30-minute drive away. Yasuda is on the Gomen-Nahari Line.[3]

References
  1. "加盟町村". 「日本で最も美しい村」連合 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  2. Emi, Doi (December 21, 2017). "Soaking and Seasoning: The Aromatic Pleasures of "Yuzu"". Retrieved December 22, 2017. Umaji looked to yuzu production in the 1960s to boost the local economy, and over the subsequent years farmers have turned the village into a citron success story.
  3. http://www.tosakuro.co.jp/tosakuro/train_E_top.html
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