Katsuyama Townscape Support Association & Maniwa City

★Beautiful Townscape Award Comments

It's often the case that many restored areas have obviously been done with no thought for the people whos live there, only the tourists it will bring in. That was not the case in Katsuyama. The citizens of Katsuyama live lives of high aesthetics and taste, which they applied to their restoration. Because of this, the local people's everyday life can be seen very strongly in this historical landscape. The restoration of these historical buildings into a place that feels vibrant and alive was done as much to improve their daily lives as it was to encourage tourism. The townspeople's attention to even the smallest details adds up one by one, and result in a beautiful town that is a charming mixture of the past and present. Many beautiful noren also add to this town's charm. They also hold many local events and activities. These are all very important elements which help to put a personal connection between the town and the lives of its people, the most important part of any community. Therefore, with all of this in mind, we feel the restoration of this district to be of the highest quality.