Abstract
The present rural space in Japan is characterized by the increased role of consumption rather than the traditional activity of production. This situation is defined as “commodification of rural spaces.” Referring to Perkins(2006 ) and others, rural commodities in Japan are largely classified into five types: ( 1 ) Well-established agricultural and horticultural products, ( 2 ) new agricultural and horticultural products, (3 ) the consumption of rural spaces by counter-urbanization, (4 ) rural consumption for recreation and tourism, and ( 5 ) activities to improve the quality of life through conserving and managing landscapes and natural environments and through understanding of traditional rural culture and society. The fifth type of rural commodification includes the activities of ecomuseum in which a community itself constitutes a museum managed by local municipality and residents. This paper depicts regional development owing to ecomuseum. The study area, Asahi Town located in the central part of Yamagata Prefecture has been famous for its ecomuseum activity in Japan. Local peoples’ daily community activities are carefully examined. Although local residents are not always aware of their ecomuseum, they have improved the quality of life and sustain and develop local community by discovering, maintaining and utilizing local resources including natural environments and cultural heritages. These ordinary activities appear to typify ecomuseum, which then lead to the regional development in Asahi Town.
