HeyJaredHeart of Gifu: Travel × Life in Ena and Nakatsugawa | Living in Rural Japan
Step into the timeless landscapes of Ena and Nakatsugawa, where the ancient Nakasendo—once known as the Samurai Road—winds between mountains, post towns, and satoyama villages.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 3
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- Sep 9, 2026
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- Jul 16, 2026
Latest episodes
#004｜Sacred Trees and Shinto: The Forest at the Heart of Japan (opens the original)
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In this episode, Ayami takes you into the forests of rural Gifu — and into the heart of Shinto belief. Long before Japan had a name for it, there was a worldview that saw spirits not just in gods, but in trees, wind, rain, and even the objects made by human hands. This is animism — and while it exists in cultures around the world, in Japan it has never really faded. We talk about kami — a concept that doesn't quite translate to the Western idea of "gods" — and why a single ancient tree can be tr
#003｜Ji-Kabuki: The Theater That Belongs to Everyone (opens the original)
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I just got back from a kabuki performance in rural Gifu — and I couldn't wait to tell you about it. In this episode, I explore Ji-Kabuki: the amateur kabuki theater tradition kept alive for centuries by farming communities across Japan. Gifu prefecture has more Ji-Kabuki communities than anywhere else in the country — and what happens inside these theaters is unlike anything I've ever experienced at a live performance. If you want to know more about Ji-kabuki, please read our essay! : https://ru
#002｜What is Satoyama? The Forest Whispers (opens the original)
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What does it mean to live in harmony with nature? In this episode, we explore the concept of Satoyama —the traditional Japanese landscape where human settlements and managed woodlands coexist in a delicate, sustainable balance. We delve into the cultural and environmental significance of Satoyama, examining how this landscape has shaped not only Japan's biodiversity but also the spiritual and social fabric of its communities. We also focus on Gifu Prefecture , a region where the essence of Satoy
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