This is the story of the rebirth of a village. Located far in the southwest of Japan, twelve years ago the village of Yanagidani (affectionately called "Yanedan") was a typical village in rural Japan. Its young people moved away and those who remained grew older. More than 40% of its 300 residents were over 65 years old and the village was in a state of decline. When the village appointed Mr. Toyoshige to be its new village head -- and the people of Yanedan set out to re-build the community -- life began to change in unexpected ways. This is the story of how in practical and often creative ways the villagers brought a new life and vitality to their village, and without any help from the government. This program is based on a close documentation of village life during the past five years, a story told using film footage, photographs, and interviews with the village head and the many old but active members of the community. As a model of local revival, Yanedan has become famous throughout Japan.