Sustainable Tourism: From the Nagara River Basin to the World

Euronews, Europe’s leading international news channel broadcasting to over 400 million homes in 160 countries, puts the spotlight on Gifu in their programme “Discover Satoyama: How Japanese communities live in harmony with nature”.

Watch the full TV special here!

Discover Satoyama: How Japanese communities live in harmony with nature

The following written excerpt is a glimpse of what you can watch from the video in the link above. Enjoy!

How can travelling be more sustainable? Euronews reporter, Anca Ulea, seeks to answer this very question by visiting Japanese communities and exploring two towns in Gifu where the environment has shaped the way of life for generations.


Our journey begins at the Nagara River Basin in Central Japan. The area surrounding the river and its tributaries have been designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the United Nations, due to the local population’s intricate relationship with the region.

The River is a source of food for the locals, and is also used to irrigate crops. Residents give back by cleaning the river, taking good care of the surrounding ecosystem and protecting the rare species that live there.

Anca meets one of the local fishermen practicing a traditional form of shoal net fishing, called Sebari. In autumn, most of the local ayu sweetfish caught are sent to hatcheries so the population can be maintained the following year.

She also tries out the delicious local cuisine, made from fresh produce and medicinal herbs.

Want an authentic and sustainable travel experience in Japan? Make your way down to Gifu, where you can be sure to enjoy and learn all about the great outdoors, timeless tradition and living culture all in one place.


In partnership with JNTO