Ibara Town, Okayama Prefecture: Where the charm of the old and the freshness of the new intertwine

I'm at a loss for how to introduce it. Ihara Town is simply too wonderful. East of Ihara Station on the Ihara Line flows the Oda River, and the beauty along this riverbank drew nothing but sighs of admiration. Just one block back lies the shopping district. At first glance, you might think it's a shuttered street, but new initiatives are firmly taking root here. Here, you can savor the true essence and charm of the coexistence of old and new. Not too big, not too crowded, not too inconvenient, not too old, not too new—it strikes a perfect balance. I seriously considered whether this town could become a model case for sustaining the towns and villages across Japan facing depopulation. My deepest gratitude to Hotel Rekijōsō and the retro bike rental service that made this encounter possible.

Ibara Town, Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture