小原 (限界集落) 福井県勝山市 Ohara, Depopulated Village in Kitadani Katsuyama Fukui [4K Binaural]
この動画は、福井県勝山市北谷町にある限界集落「小原（おはら）」を記録したものです。
小原は白山国立公園内に位置し、九頭竜川源流域に近い山深い地にあります。集落の大きな特徴は、急峻な斜面に積み上げられた石垣の上に家々が建ち並ぶ独特の景観で、全国的にも珍しい山村風景として知られています。かつては最大で90戸、400人あまりが暮らし、白山信仰や北谷地域の歴史とも深い関わりを持っていました。
しかし過疎化の波にのまれ、住民は次第に減少。現在ではほとんど人が住まなくなり、2025年の時点での人口は、私が話をした元住民の方によればわずか1人とのことです。集落は静寂に包まれ、石垣や廃屋の残骸がかつての営みを静かに物語っています。
一方で「小原ECOプロジェクト」をはじめとする地域の取り組みにより、伝統的な古民家修復や自然保全、教育機関との交流、エコツーリズムが行われています。こうした活動は2015年度「ふるさとづくり大賞」内閣総理大臣賞を受賞するなど高く評価されており、失われつつある山村の文化を未来へとつなぐ試みが続けられています。
This video documents the depopulated village of Ohara, located in Kitadani, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture.
Situated within Hakusan National Park and deep in the upper basin of the Kuzuryu River, Ohara is distinguished by its unique mountain settlement layout: traditional houses once stood atop steeply terraced stone walls, creating a striking landscape that is rare in Japan. At its peak, the village supported around 90 households and more than 400 residents, closely tied to the history of the Kitadani region and the traditions of Hakusan worship.
Over time, however, depopulation took its toll. Today, almost no one remains, and according to a former resident I spoke with, the population in 2025 is just one person. The village is now enveloped in silence, with stone terraces and abandoned houses quietly preserving the memory of its once-vibrant life.
Yet, Ohara is not merely a fading village. Through initiatives such as the Ohara ECO Project, efforts are being made to restore traditional houses, protect the natural environment, promote eco-tourism, and collaborate with educational institutions. These activities have earned national recognition, including the Prime Minister’s Award in the 2015 Furusato-zukuri Taisho. Ohara thus represents both a vanishing mountain village and a living experiment in cultural and ecological preservation.
Date: 18th July 2025
Weather: 32 °C
🎧 This video contains Binaural Audio. Wearing headphones/earphones is recommended for the best immersive experience.
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