DISCOVER FUKUI

Fukui PR Team @ Togo Research Group Mr. Noroyuki Sasaki

What are your main activities?

We are a community development group aiming to revitalize the Togo district of Fukui City. We undertake a wide range of initiatives to attract people to the Togo district, including planning walking tours, creating pamphlets, and developing souvenirs using Togo's renowned rice.

Number of members: Approximately 15

Location: Togo District, Fukui City

Activity Period: Year-round

・The Dōdagawa River flows through the town center, offering beautiful views of its babbling brook!

・We are currently active around Togo's antenna shops, "Kobiri-an" and "Kine to Usui"!

・We hold the "Echizen Togo to Fukui Kangaekai (Tofukuko)" meeting twice a month, inviting guests to seriously consider the district's future.

・Togō District also hosts inbound exchange programs with Taiwan!

・Farmstay accommodations are available for lodging and nature experiences!

What do you keep in mind when organizing activities?

Town development is about finding people. Finding individuals eager to actively participate is the fastest route. Also, since we want to entrust things to the younger generation, we older folks take a backseat, listening rather than offering constant advice.

What sparked your involvement?

It started in 1990 when local residents invited me to join a group tackling Togo's challenges. Initially, we compiled community surveys and envisioned the future. Gradually, we began organizing events like the "Togo Kaido Otsukune Festival" and the "Breeze Concert" utilizing the Doda River. We believe "Rome wasn't built in a day," and that small, consistent efforts gradually transform the community.

What gives you a sense of fulfillment?

It's the connections formed between people after just one meeting. Recently, a young person came from Taiwan to experience a "micro-stay" in Togo. Though nervous at first, they gradually smiled more, and it was wonderful to see them connect beyond the language barrier.

Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming Shinkansen opening.

Echizen-Togo Station is the gateway to the Togo area, right next to Ichijodani Station (home to the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins). I want to create more opportunities for people to explore this area while waiting for their next train at Echizen-Togo Station.

A message for tourists visiting Fukui Prefecture!

The Togo area is a relaxed town where the whole community feels like family, offering casual, everyday interactions. Please come visit!