In collaboration with Kanazawa University, we held the first workshop on biological and cultural diversity titled “Kanazawa’s Nature and Culture from an International Perspective” on July 25-26, 2015. Kanazawa City aimed to develop a regional biodiversity strategy in the 2015 fiscal year, incorporating the viewpoint of “preserving the connections between biodiversity and cultural diversity,” which had been discussed through research meetings at OUIIK from 2013 to 2015.
The purpose of this workshop was to more explicitly outline the characteristics of Kanazawa’s nature and culture from a comparative perspective with other countries, and to link these insights to policy development. Participants included international students from Kanazawa University and international exchange personnel from Kanazawa City, representing a total of nine countries, including Japan, covering regions such as Asia, North America, and Europe.
To start, representatives from Kanazawa City’s Environmental Policy Division, Cultural Policy Division, and Craft Promotion Division provided an overview of the connections between Kanazawa’s biodiversity and cultural diversity, the progress of cultural administration, and the current state of traditional crafts and associated policy developments. Throughout the Edo period, the Kaga Domain, led by the Maeda family, emphasized the promotion of culture and academia, resulting in the establishment of tea ceremony culture and the integration of crafts and traditional techniques into daily life.
Kanazawa City is committed to passing on these values to future generations by implementing policies that encourage children and young people to learn and inherit traditional culture. Additionally, the city highlighted how the natural terrain connecting urban areas with mountains and hills functions as a “green corridor,” fostering close ties between nature and the development of urban culture. However, it was also noted that there have been noticeable changes in the natural environment in recent years, including the proliferation of invasive species, changes in vegetation due to climate change, and an increase in wildlife damage.
During the fieldwork involving international students, Professor Takahiro Tsuba from Kanazawa Institute of Art and Craft provided insights into the vegetation of Kanazawa Castle, the use of stone, the landscape characteristics of gardens, and the relationship between the cityscape and waterways or microtopography.
The group also visited “Suginoi,” one of Kanazawa’s long-established restaurants, where they experienced the unique summer room setup that offers a sense of coolness even amid the heat. They learned about the depth of creating a harmonious hospitality space that integrates the guest room with the garden.
Additionally, OUIK published a map pamphlet in May 2015 titled “The Nature and Culture of Kanazawa Through Map Information.” During the fieldwork, researcher Yoshihiko Iida from OUIK provided explanations connecting the map information to the actual sites visited.
In the group work, diverse case studies from various countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the United States, France, Germany, Slovakia, and Russia were presented. Discussions focused on strategies for inheriting the connections and richness of Kanazawa’s nature and culture. Suggestions included enhancing public transportation linking mountainous areas and coastal regions, which, while not directly related to biodiversity, plays a crucial role in facilitating human movement. It was also proposed that incorporating perspectives from students and foreigners can foster creativity, and that food culture serves as a universal indicator of culture. The outcomes of these workshops are expected to be compiled by OUIK and reflected in Kanazawa City’s Biodiversity Regional Strategy.
