How do you encourage people to live in the countryside?

It’s no real surprise that in a lot of areas in the Japanese countryside, the population is decreasing. Lower birth rates combined with people moving away from rural locations to urban centers means that towns like mine are seeing the numbers of local residents decrease.

So what are they doing to try and combat that? Well, our city produces a magazine that’s in local stores, businesses, and regional promotional events that highlights life here in Minamiuonuma. It shows off some of the fun things to do in the area, and is designed to encourage people to take up a “tree change” and consider countryside life. 

If you live in a countryside area, does your town do anything to promote themselves?