Hichiso, town in Kamo District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Hichisō is a small town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, located in the Kamo district on the flat Nōbi Plain. The Hida River flows gently through the town, and quiet streets wind between simple homes surrounded by green fields and trees, with a population of just under 4000 residents.
Hichisō was historically part of Mino Province and controlled by the Owari Domain during the Edo period. The town was formed in the late 1800s through the merger of villages Kabuchi and Kamiaso, and was officially designated as a town in the early 1970s.
The name Hichisō comes from the merger of former villages Kabuchi and Kamiaso. Local festivals celebrate the seasons and regional heritage, with residents wearing traditional clothing and sharing food as part of community gatherings.
The town is well connected to surrounding areas by the Takayama Main Line train and National Route 41, allowing easy travel by train or car. The compact size makes it simple to explore on foot or by bicycle.
The population has more than halved in the past 50 years, dropping from over 6000 to just under 4000 residents today. This shift reflects a broader trend in rural Japan where younger people move to larger cities for work and study.
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