Nagano is one of the most incredible places on earth. It is in the centre of the Japanese Alps and blessed with a natural beauty that dramatically changes with the seasons. Amongst this mountainous setting, there are small towns and villages with local Japanese working mainly in agriculture or the numerous ski resorts. There is an unusually high concentration of traditional buildings handed down through generations, many with histories dating back over 200 years. As many of the younger local population have moved to the larger cities, these buildings have become uninhabited and they are literally collapsing under metres of snow that come every winter. In many other countries they would be treasured as cultural assets but modern Japan has struggled to recognise their true value. We are working with the local government to increase their recognition and helping private investors support viable renovation projects so we can keep these architectural wonders for generations to come.