Toyosato Neopolis
Tsu City, Mie Prefecture
About Toyosato Neopolis
Toyosato Neopolis is a quiet housing complex developed in 1977 in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. Blessed with rich natural surroundings, the Neopolis complex has become home to many residents who enjoy living amid scenery that changes with the seasons.
The 2,500 or so dwellings that make up the housing complex are home to approximately 6,200 people. As with many such neighborhoods around Japan, it is experiencing an aging population and low birthrate, with an ongoing rise in the number of residents living alone. To overcome these community challenges, joint efforts are being made to draw on collective wisdom. From parents with young children through to the elderly, the efforts are joined by residents of many different ages, along with companies, universities, and the government.
About Toyosato Neopolis
- Sales start: 1977
- Site area: 1,516,000m2(about 32 times the size of Tokyo Dome)
- Number of lots for sale: 2,900
- Percentage of elderly: 23.8%*(approx.)
- Population: 6,145*
*From 2020 census
*The total population includes persons of unknown age, but the percentage of elderly is calculated by excluding persons of unknown age from the total population.
A goal of community development at Toyosato Neopolis is to give shape to feedback from the public and municipality.
We see the building of relationships with large numbers of residents as the first step, utilizing dialogue and surveys in particular to assess how the neighborhood is currently situated in terms of the challenges it faces. The second step is to consult with residents about these issues in order to plan initiatives that will make their neighborhood a better place, leading ultimately to these being tried in practice. Through these trials, we hope to fulfill our goal of implementing these ideas in the form of town management practices that can be carried on by the next generation.
We are partnering with local residents to make Toyosato Neopolis into a place where people will want to continue living or make their new home.
Toyosato Neopolis has an elementary school, kindergarten, and nursery school, which are essential for households raising children. In addition, 13 parks of various sizes are bustling with people from children to the elderly who utilize them to maintain their health and interact with each other. Another feature of the Neopolis is a food supermarket on its premises, which is rarely seen in the neighboring complexes.
Intergenerational Exchange Events
Intergenerational exchange events were held six times in total in July and August 2024 with the purpose of creating opportunities for residents to interact with each other through playing boccia, traditional games, board games, go, shogi, mahjong, and paper cutout. Each event was participated by about 30 people of all ages who had a great time. Some of the residents were very happy to see each other again after a long time. Through these events, residents showed us anew how a place for interaction can increase the attractiveness of the town.
Toyogaoka Area Joint Project (Lottery Draw)
To promote interaction among residents, a lottery drawing event was held in November 2024 as a Toyogaoka area joint project. On the day of the event, there were pan-fried noodle stalls, food trucks offering takoyaki Japanese octopus balls, markets, and many other stands. Approximately 1,400 of the 2,500 households in the Neopolis participated in the event, which was a great success.