Tenryukyo
Rethinking Tourism: Coexistence Over Consumption
Beautiful Valley Through the Seasons
Tenryukyo is a picturesque tourist spot located at the southernmost point of Iida City in southern Nagano Prefecture. Flanked by the Southern Alps to the east and the Central Alps to the west, the Tenryu River flows through a stunning valley unique to Japan, creating a breathtaking landscape rich in natural beauty. The area’s distinctive climate and geography foster a diverse ecosystem, marking the northern and southern limits for many species of flora and fauna, which thrive amidst the seasonal changes.
The greatest allure of Tenryukyo lies in the dramatic beauty of its gorge, shaped by the clear waters of the Tenryu River and the towering rock formations on its banks. Visitors are captivated by the breathtaking scenery and the grandeur of nature. Strolling along the walking trails, they can enjoy the seasonal blooms, while boat rides down the Tenryu River offer a serene way to immerse oneself in the gorge’s natural splendor.
The History of Tenryukyo
Renowned as a scenic wonder, Tenryukyo has long enchanted visitors and flourished as a popular tourist destination. About a century ago, the area was surrounded by thriving mulberry fields. The local residents, determined to establish Tenryukyo as one of Japan’s premier tourist sites, worked tirelessly to develop it. The streetscapes shaped by these pioneers still exude a nostalgic yet welcoming charm, embodying the unique character of Tenryukyo.
It is thanks to the historical efforts to promote tourism that today’s life in Tenryukyo is made possible. The region’s enduring legacy as a beloved destination continues to shape its identity.
What We Are Trying To Do
Tenryukyo is striving to transition from a "consumed tourist destination" to a "cultivated hometown destination." This vision seeks to deepen the connection between visitors and the local community, fostering tourism that enriches both daily life and the natural environment. By respecting the region’s traditions and history, Tenryukyo aims to create new value as a "hometown" for all, offering a space where locals and visitors can grow together.
To remain a cherished destination for the next century, Tenryukyo is exploring new approaches to tourism aligned with modern times, committed to building a sustainable community for generations to come.
Tenryukyo Dragon
Becoming a digital resident of Tenryukyo through the Digital Resident NFT offers more than just owning a piece of the region’s culture. It invites you to actively participate in shaping the community’s future, joining hands to bring new ideas to life. Through this unique experience, you’ll feel a deeper connection to the area and develop a profound affection for its progress.
We look forward to your involvement as a meaningful step toward supporting the future of our community. For more details, please visit our website.
Blog
Team Members
Neya-Neya Tenryukyo Digital Residents Club
Yushiro Odaira
CEO of Weblit, Inc. Born in Iida City, Nagano. Studied abroad in the Philippines and Australia for 2 years while working as a front-end engineer. After that, he worked as a web director for a major advertising agency production company and a major entertainment company for a total of 4 years. Currently, he is developing web and local innovation business in Tokyo and his hometown, Iida City.
Sho Unayama
Director of Weblit, Inc. Born in Mitaka City, Tokyo, has experience in infrastructure design, construction, and operation as a cloud architect and DevOps engineer, with a primary focus on AWS-based systems and applications. He is currently building up his technology stack on Web3. He studied abroad in the U.S. for a year.
Naomi Oriyama
CEO of nom. Born in Niigata Prefecture. She is certified as an Ayurvedic instructor and herbal advisor by the Sri Lankan government, and operates a ryokan (Japanese-style hotel) that makes use of medicinal herbs. With the theme of “returning to the earth,” she promotes local resources and vacant houses, and engages in activities that connect people with the local community. She seeks to express the richness and happiness of the local community through food.
Tomomi Matsuo
Born in Tenryukyo. After graduating from a university in Nagoya, he worked for 3.5 years at a company in Aichi Prefecture, returning to Iida City in 2023 to start a business in Tenryukyo while working on a local project. Based in Tenryudo, she is promoting tourism growth to create related population. While dedicating herself to the region she has known since childhood, she pursues activities with the goal of building a place in her hometown that he can be proud of as “her hometown.
Hidetoshi Yuzawa
Born in Ina City, Nagano. After graduating from university, worked for a manufacturer before joining the Iida City Hall. After working in business development, university cooperation, and city promotion, he was appointed to his current position. While focusing on “unity” through human connections, he is working to create a community where people can live and work in a sustainable and flexible way and to create a related population by developing a business of courses that solve local issues through public-private partnerships.
