Meet the Man Who Lives Alone in His Once Abandoned Village, Preserving Tradition

Noburu Nimaida poses with his village of Ozuchi in the background. Courtesy of Noburu Nimaida

Noburu Nimaida fondly recalls the 13 feet of snow that blanketed the small Japanese village of Ozuchi when he was 10. While the blizzard brought stress for the adults, for him, it meant the fun of making snowmen—one of the most joyful memories of his childhood. But that joy, like his village, became part of his past when Nimaida left at 15 to seek work in the big city.

He was not the only one.

Like many small villages in the southwest of Ishikawa Prefecture, in Japan’s east-central region, most of the 300 people in Ozuchi made their living producing charcoal. When Japan switched to using primarily natural gas, many families in the village were forced to leave in search of work. Eventually, the settlement was left with an aging population and no new residents moving in.

Ozuchi village is located in Ishikawa Prefecture, surrounded by mountains. Courtesy of Noburu Nimaida

Saving Ozuchi

After leaving Ozuchi, Nimaida, now 71, grew accustomed to city life and rarely thought about returning to his childhood village. But at the turn of the century, he visited the area to see a friend and had a change of heart. In an interview with the Epoch Times, he described learning that his friend’s village had been completely abandoned.

“At that time, I finally realized that I didn’t want the same thing to happen to Ozuchi Village and wanted to do everything I can to make a difference,” he said.

He decided to preserve his village’s unique atmosphere and heritage.

Now, Nimaida has transformed his life and is living in Ozuchi, where he and his cat, Casa, are the only residents. This, he says, has been the greatest adventure of his life. And it’s come with its fair share of challenges, from growing his own food to protecting his crops from animals like wild boar and bears.

Only 10 houses remain in Ozuchi village. Courtesy of Noburu Nimaida

Since returning to Ozuchi, Nimaida has devoted much of his time to producing charcoal and growing rice, collaborating with volunteers who now help him in revitalizing the village. In total, Nimaida says, they grow about 220 pounds of rice each year to feed himself and the volunteers.

Growing rice and harvesting charcoal are more than just a way to get back to his village’s roots—they are the continuation of an ancient practice.

“Charcoal making is an important technique that’s been practiced in the Japanese countryside since ancient times,” he said. “The process goes beyond mere charcoal production and is deeply related to coexistence with nature and the passing on of traditions.”

Nimaida and his cat, Casa, are the only permanent residents of the village. Courtesy of Noburu Nimaida

Nimaida described how the charcoal is made.

“The process begins with cutting the wood, followed by firing,” he said. “... It [is a] grueling three- to four-day to one-week process. After firing is complete, the kiln is allowed to cool down [for a few days]. This cooling process is extremely important and must be carefully controlled, as sudden temperature changes can compromise the quality of the charcoal.”

A New Purpose for the Village

Whether it’s making charcoal, laboring in his rice fields, or doing chores around the village, Nimaida’s life is busy.

Much of the work revolves around maintaining the rice fields to ensure weeds don’t clog the water flow to the crops. He also maintains the 10 remaining homes in the village. When the volunteers come to help, he says, much time is spent planning upcoming projects.

The introduction of volunteers in 2013 was a game-changer for Nimaida. Interacting with young people gave him a new perspective. For example, they created a map of the village that shows what the village has to offer “in a new way,” Nimaida said.

Nimaida hosts volunteers from all over the world. Courtesy of Noburu Nimaida

And the learning goes both ways. Nimaida now envisions Ozuchi—and the more than 10,000 similar depopulated villages across Japan—as new hubs of learning for young people.

“For the young generations around the world, it’s important to graduate from college, have a clear goal, and join a big company,” he said. “But if you are still undecided about your goals, going to an underpopulated area and testing yourself can be a great experience.”

He adds that living in depopulated areas provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on oneself while learning about nature and tradition, especially without the distractions of modern technology and hectic city life.

“In today’s world, where the media often highlights only the flashy and glamorous aspects of life, it’s easy to feel inadequate or frustrated. While pushing ourselves and striving for excellence is important, true happiness comes from self-awareness and setting realistic, achievable goals,” Nimaida said.

That’s the legacy he wants his childhood village to leave “for the next 100 years.”

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