Discover Japan's most beautiful traditional villages

Japan is often associated with its large futuristic cities like Tokyo, but there are also many traditional villages that offer a journey back in time and an immersion in authentic Japanese culture. These unspoilt villages offer a glimpse of rural Japan, far removed from urbanization and steeped in ancestral traditions. Visiting these villages is an opportunity to enjoy beautiful walks, interact with the locals and dine in picturesque restaurants handed down for generations.

Nestled in the heart of the Japanese Alps in Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is one of Japan's most famous traditional villages. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the neighboring village of Gokayama, it is renowned for its traditional thatched houses called gasshō-zukuri (合掌造り). Over 100 of these old farmhouses have been preserved, some transformed into museums or inns for an unusual overnight stay. In winter, the village takes on an unreal beauty under a thick blanket of snow. Shirakawa-go welcomes over 1.5 million visitors a year and is easily accessible by excursion from the cities of Nagoya or Kanazawa. Read our full article to prepare your visit.

Gassho-zukuri type houses, in the village of Shirakawago

Gassho-zukuri houses in the village of Shirakawago, near Takayama

wikimedia

Not far from Shirakawa-go, the ancient town of Takayama has preserved its atmosphere of yesteryear, with narrow streets lined with traditional wooden houses, temples and a morning market. Known as "Little Kyoto" for its historic charm, the town is famous for its handicrafts, particularly Shunkei lacquerware and sarubobo, a lucky charm in the shape of a baby monkey. Thatched rural houses can also be seen in the Hida no Sato district. The Takayama Autumn Festival, with its parade of decorated yatai floats, is one of the 3 most beautiful matsuri in Japan.

Charming streets of Hida Furakawa

One of Hida Furukawa's charming streets.

J. Laborde

Located north of Kyoto along the Sea of Japan, Ine is a picturesque fishing village famous for its funaya (舟屋) houses. These unique buildings, with their second floor open to the sea, were used to park fishing boats, while the living quarters are upstairs. The funaya stretch along the bay for around 5 km, offering an atypical landscape. Today, some of the houses are restaurants or lodgings, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the traditional life of the fishermen. Ine is one of the few remaining villages of this type in Japan.

The funaya houses in Ine

Ine's typical fishermen's houses are a rarity in Japan.

R.A.

Tsumago lies in the Kiso valley, on the old Nakasendo trade route that linked Kyoto to Edo (Tokyo) during the eponymous period (1603-1868). The village served as a stopover for travellers, who rested in its many inns. It has been preserved in its original state, with wooden buildings, cobbled streets and no visible power lines. Cars are not allowed during the day. A beautiful walk through the forest takes you to Magome, the next stop on the historic route.

On the Nakasendô road in the Japanese countryside.

On the Nakasendô road between Tsumago and Magome

Fred Weng

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