The purpose of this study is to clarify the background and changes of the dual habitation before the relocation of elderly persons from the area of heavy Snowfall after several years of dual habitation. This study focuses on the dual habitation in Matsudai area, Tokamachi city, Niigata prefecture: one of the heavy snow areas by statute. The dual habitation in this area has been continued since 1980’s. The dual habitation of Elderly persons takes the form of going out of this area in winter and coming back when the spring comes. Eventually they relinquish their house and relocate to place where their children live. The dual habitation in this area has the background affected by regional conditions: the community and supports which responses to heavy snowfall. There were several settlements isolated by snow during winter in this area in 1980’s. This area could clear snow away from all streets in 1989. Elderly persons continued their dual habitation using railways despite losing the fear of isolation by snow because they still have the insecurity for living alone and have a wish to live with their family. The dual habitation is often treated as a measure to promote migration from the city areas to depopulated areas. This study indicated the dual habitation of elderly persons has regional characteristics and has been a buffer which reduce relocation damage. Besides, this study could give an important viewpoint in considering residence support in rural area and another aspect of the dual habitation.

The purpose of this study is to determine the elements required for the reception of non-residents who are not family members into rural communities using interview data and some documents, and to reveal whether the elements reflect an actual situation by considering the case of Nishiotaki in Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture. A total of 49 elements were extracted. Around 2015, non-residents who were not family members started to participate in community activities in Nishiotaki. This study focuses on the processes of receiving three people in Nishiotaki. During the processes, the residents invited them to dinner and drinking parties so that they could establish close relations with the residents, and participate in community events and associations such as the traditional festival in August, the cultural festival in November, the winter sports festival in March, as well as the youth association in order to discover their own roles in the community. By investigating the processes of receiving them and checking these processes against the 49 elements based on the interview data and participant observation data, it was found that Nishiotaki satisfies almost all the elements. Therefore, Nishiotaki can indeed receive non-residents who are not family members. In addition, it was revealed that the 49 elements do reflect the actual situation. It is important that rural communities facing population decline involve the power of outsiders by using these 49 elements.