Toguchi Stone Wall Village

Overview

Toguchi Village, located in Ainan-cho, Minamiuwa-gun, Ehime Prefecture, boasts a unique landscape of houses lining a steep slope facing the sea. The most striking feature is the stone walls that are stacked up to the eaves of the houses. Toguchi has long been plagued by typhoons and seasonal winds. To protect their homes, the people painstakingly built these stone walls, one stone at a time. These walls encircle the entire village, giving it the appearance of a fortress. Because of its beautiful scenery, Toguchi Stone Wall Village has received numerous awards, including the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award for "Beautiful Villages of Japan," selection as one of the "100 Historical Cultural Properties of Fisheries and Fishing Villages We Want to Preserve for the Future," and inclusion in the "100 Selections of Beautiful Historical Landscapes of Japan." It's known as a representative example of Japan's stone wall culture. While fishing and agriculture once thrived in Toguchi, recent years have seen a decline in population and an increase in vacant houses. However, thanks to the efforts of the villagers to protect their landscape, its beauty endures. When visiting Toguchi Stone Wall Village, take a stroll through the village to appreciate the beauty of the stone walls and experience the lives of its people.