by Cecilia Luzi

After a meeting in Fukuoka, a professor asked me: “Everyone says it’s better to raise children in the countryside, but I’m curious what activities there are for children in places like Hasami that go beyond public parks. What do people usually do with their children?” This question made me think back to the many times I spent with other young mothers and children, both migrants and locals, and reflect on everyday life in rural areas from their perspective.

Playdate at the beach in Ōsaki Peninsula
Copyright © Cecilia Luzi 2023

As described in my last blog post, there is at least one public park in every town in the region. However, when the rainy season descended upon us, outdoor play opportunities were limited due to the bad weather. These days, mothers have to find an alternative. In some towns, there are so-called childcare centers (kosodate shien sentā). These centers offer families with young children the opportunity to spend time together reading books and doing indoor play activities. The playrooms are spacious and offer children the opportunity to run, jump and play with a variety of toys. These centers also host events. In July I attended an event named “Toys Square” (omocha hiroba). Two women created a fantastic play space at the center, featuring an assortment of wooden toys and games for kids between the ages of zero to six.

A Childcare Support Center
Copyright © Cecilia Luzi 2023

During our visit, I talked to a young migrant mother who is originally from Mie Prefecture and has three children, the oldest of whom is six years old, the second five years old and the youngest only eight months old. Right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she moved with her husband to a neighboring town. She was dissatisfied with the educational concept of the kindergarten there and was looking for a better alternative for her children. She recounted how her daughter would come home every day and scold her family for doing something rude: “You shouldn’t do that (kore dame)!”, which she attributed to the kindergarten’s rigid and outdated teaching methods. She believed that children should be allowed to play freely and discover the world at their own pace. She found the daycare center, which was known for taking a different approach to following the child’s rhythm. She visited the facility and was impressed by their alternative methods. Although the facility is 20 minutes away by car, she enjoys making the journey every day because she has seen a positive impact on her children.

Takeo Children’s Library
Copyright © Cecilia Luzi 2023

Children’s libraries are another wonderful place for children. The children’s library in Takeo, for example, has a particularly welcoming atmosphere and a rich collection of picture books, a café and a playground. During our visits, we often met familiar faces, including friends who have moved to the area. On one occasion, a young woman who moved to Hasami ten years ago told me about her family routine: “Every time we come to the library, it’s curry night for the family! There is a delicious Indian curry restaurant just around the corner and the girls love it!”. Another time we met a family from Hasami consisting of children, parents and grandparents. The grandfather greeted us warmly and told us about their weekend ritual: “We like to come as a whole family at the weekend. We like to play with the kids in the library, borrow books and then go to the onsen for a nice bath!” Since Takeo is known for its hot springs, this is the perfect way to end a fun day at the library.

Inside the Children’s Library
Copyright © Cecilia Luzi 2023

Raising children in rural Japan is a diverse experience. The availability of child-friendly facilities and activities can vary significantly from place to place. Fortunately, Hasami benefits from its convenient location near larger cities such as Nagasaki, Sasebo and even Fukuoka, which offer many attractions for children. However, the attention paid to childcare and support services in many rural towns impressed me the most during my fieldwork, especially in terms of educational approaches and support for mothers and young families. One day I was chatting with a very friendly woman around 60 who runs a Childcare Support Center. I told her of my amazement at the abundance of beautifully illustrated books that have been published in Japan by Japanese authors. She replied, “Many years ago, neighborhoods in rural towns like ours regularly organized gatherings to read to the children. That was really wonderful! Unfortunately, we seem to have lost our passion for reading aloud. But children are the future of small towns like ours. But children are the future of small towns like ours. If we don’t support them, don’t encourage their education and don’t teach them to appreciate the beauty of their birthplace, how can we expect them to stay?”