The Current State of the Shopping Environment in a Hilly and Mountainous Region: A Case Study of Okuizumo Town, Shimane Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

In Japan, problems related to access to groceries have been becoming increasingly severe. In particular, in hilly and mountainous regions, the number of stores selling groceries and daily necessities is extremely limited, and continued population decline has led to further store closures and withdrawals, resulting in a highly constrained shopping environment. Against this background, this study examines the current state of the shopping environment and residents’ perceptions in a hilly and mountainous region, focusing on Okuizumo Town in Shimane Prefecture. The results reaffirm that municipal efforts to improve the shopping environment constitute an essential living infrastructure that influences residents’ decisions to continue living in the area as well as their residential location choices. At the same time, the study reveals that a certain proportion of residents experience inconvenience and anxiety about the future due to the decline of nearby stores and the limited range of shopping options available.