Welcome to Episode 1 of Heart of Gifu: Trip & Life in Ena and Nakatsugawa!

In this very first episode, I, Ayami —born and raised in Ena City, right in the heart of Japan—share my personal story and why I decided to start this podcast.

You’ll hear about my childhood memories of rivers and forests in the mountains of Gifu, my time living in Africa, and the journey of starting Rural Japan Tour with friends. I’ll also take you inside everyday satoyama life: from clear mountain water (sometimes turning brown after a typhoon!) to summer grass-cutting, from family food traditions like hobazushi to the little cultural practices of village life such as community work and local gatherings.

We’ll also talk about what makes Ena and Nakatsugawa so special: yes, there’s the famous Magome-juku on the old Samurai Road, but there’s also so much more—grandmothers’ rural lifestyles, connections to nature, and the rich cultural heritage that rarely appears in guidebooks. My vision is for travelers to not only walk the Nakasendo, but also experience these deeper, more authentic layers of Japan.

Finally, I’ll introduce our team at Rural Japan Tour, and share how we hope to create respectful, sustainable travel that connects locals and visitors in meaningful ways.

Japanese version available!

This episode is also available in Japanese as Episode 1-2.

So if you’re studying Japanese, or just curious to hear the same stories in Japanese, check it out and make use of it!

Listener survey

I’d love to hear your feedback! Please check the link in the description and answer our short survey. Your input will help us shape future episodes and tours.

https://forms.gle/1xBpTn3GNt2hEqk66

We are a local team in Ena and Nakatsugawa, practicing sustainable, community-based tourism.
Meet locals, experience satoyama culture, and discover the hidden Japan beyond tourist spots.

Contact us: mail〇ruraljapantour.com (please replace 〇 with @)

Website: coming soon

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