Japanophiles and first-time visitors alike will enjoy this tour off the beaten track in little-known towns and villages that have managed to preserve all their authenticity.
Nearly every type of journey can be experienced in Japan. Today’s adventure is quite leisurely, with a strong emphasis on the nation's ancient customs and traditions.
Are you considering a journey to Japan? Here are some articles to help you plan out your stay:
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- This is the biggest currently active volcano in Japan, and it has an appearance that seems straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie.
- What exactly is sake, Japan’s signature rice wine?
4 lesser-known towns and villages to explore in Japan
Takayama, Gifu prefecture
Dive into the traditional heart of Japan away from the busy urban centers by visiting Takayama, often referred to as Little Kyoto among the mountainous regions, which was formerly a thriving trade hub and still preserves its genuine allure today.
What attractions and activities should you check out?
- Sanmachi Suji: This historic neighborhood boasts numerous wooden structures from the Edo era, now transformed into gift stores, eateries, and distilleries. The charming cobblestone lanes make this walkable zone even more enchanting, allowing visitors to savor regional delicacies like Hida beef.
- Hida no Sato: An outdoor museum featuring 30 historic homes, each more than two centuries old, ideal for exploring both the architecture and the traditional lifestyle of Japan’s mountainous areas.
- Takayama Festival: if you travel to Japan in April or October, make sure to see one of the country's most beautiful festivals, famous for its richly decorated floats, brought to life by mechanical puppets.
Ine, Kyoto prefecture
The first thing you'll notice about the small fishing village of Ine, north of Kyoto, is the calm and the quiet. Discover the charming wooden houses built on stilts, under which the locals store their boats.
What to see and do?
- Ine Bay: take a boat trip to explore Ine Bay, with a great view of the houses and hills surrounding the village.
- Funaya no Sato Park: located above the village, this park not only offers gorgeous views over the bay, but you can also enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants and visit a sake distillery .
Kiso Valley, Nagano Prefecture
The Nakasendo trail passes through this valley, an old pilgrim path connecting Kyoto to Edo. formerly Tokyo The Kiso Valley features "juku," quaint small towns used as rest stops for travelers during the Edo era.
What attractions and activities should you check out?
- Magome and Tsumago: These traditional hamlets, maintaining their initial architectural style, are interconnected via an 8-kilometer trek through the woods, featuring cascading falls and spots for resting.
- Komoro Castle: A castle featuring some deteriorated parts yet encircled by an attractive parkland, where the maple trees transform into shades of red and yellow during fall.
Ainokura, Toyama prefecture
Located in the mountainous area of Gokayama, the village of Ainokura has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its distinctive "gassho-zukuri" homes, which represent traditional Japanese architectural style characterized by their steeply pitched thatched roofs.
What attractions and activities should you check out?
- “ G assho-zukuri” houses: explore the inside of several homes that have been converted into museums ryokans (inns). You can observe how the locals utilized these areas for cultivating silkworms to produce silk.
- Folk songs: You might have the good fortune to catch traditional song and dance performances that are occasionally organized for tourists.
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