Aside from its numerous skiing resorts, the scenic view of the mountains from its grounds is enough to tell why it is an exceptional town in Japan.Hakuba. } Contents 1 Should You Stay Overnight in Japan's Small Towns? The unique thing we can see and experience in the town of Ine is the boathouses called Funaya. However, sometimes visitors prefer to hike the mountain since it is effortless to climb since there are already beautiful cherries on the trail. Skiing During winter and early spring, go skiing on the slopes of the Japanese Northern Alps. After the eruption of Mount Tokachidake, Biei City built the Blue Pond to control the erosion. egg on Twitter: "If you had to live between 3 cities, anywhere in the Six traditional Japanese art styles, and how you can experience them. TOP PLACES TO SEE IN JAPAN IN 2023: 20 CITIES WE LOVE, WHEN TO SEE CHERRY BLOSSOMS BLOOM IN JAPAN | 2023, Pre or Post Cruise Tours & Shore Excursions, Download Credit Card Authorization Form (PDF). Ontake dominating the skyline to the west. A mixture of natural minerals in the ponds water creates an iridescent blue that shines through even when it freezes in winter. It's more calm and more relaxed, money is not as much of a focal point or stressor as it is in cities where the cost of living is higher. This town is the breeding ground of the red-crowned cranes contributing to the restful sound and experience in Tsurui. If you plan to hike the old Nakasendo trail to Magome in neighboring the Gifu Prefecture, it's around a two-hour walk from Tsumago. Enjoy the time under the pink and white blooms of the cherries and sakura in the Hanayagura Observatory in the Kami Senbon area. What makes it even more special is the town's well-curated tourism plan which is incredibly accessible for foreigners. Instead, he fell in love with Tsurutomi, a Heike princess, in a story of doomed love reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. }. On its second floor, we can check the artifacts and items used by the Wada Family. In the land of the rising sun's countryside, you can experience the passing of the seasons as they paint the lands with spring flowers, autumn leaves, snowy winter scenery, and emerald summers. Omine for several centuries and the historic Yoshimizu Shrine is an important landmark. There are several mountain temples to wander at, including the Yoshimizu Shrine, Kinpusen-Ji Temple, and the centuries-old Nyoirin-Ji Temple. 17 Best Places to Visit in Japan | U.S. News Travel The village of Kamijima is spread across 25 islands in the Seto Inland Sea in Ehime Prefecture. #17 in Best Places to Visit in Japan. You can enjoy mesmerizing views of Patchwork Road from Hokusei Hill Observatory, a pyramid-like viewing tower near the Ken and Mary tree. If you already know which tour you would like to join or what you want to do, please fill out our inquiry form to give you more detailed information. Japan's Countryside Towns and Villages - A Break from the Busy City Since most of you will not live there. The area is particularly beautiful during the autumnwhen the forest leaves glow orange and red. It boasts breathtaking landscapes, including the famous Takachiho Gorge. About an hour from Amanohashidate by bus, Ine is set on a beautiful bay overlooking the Sea of Japan and is most famous for its traditional distinctive boat houses. The town is most famous for its countless picturesque terraced rice fields that stretch out in front of a backdrop of mountain peaks. Since the cherries grow at different altitudes, they bloom on separate weeks of the spring season. The pearl-growing cove of Kabira Bay is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Over ninety percent of Higashinaruse's total area is forested and laced with crystal-clean rivers, streams, and lakes, many of which are popular fishing spots with anglers looking to catch local trout and char fish. Totsukawa's Tamaki Shrine at the top of Mt. ), a lot of those urban areas end up being small cities in the countryside. Ask anyone who has visited, and they'll tell you: Japan is easily one of the most stunning places in the world. The town is the gateway to Mount Yoshino, which is, according to statistics, home to 30,000 trees with 200 kinds of sakura blooming wonderfully every year.Yoshino. Like Hayakawa, Totsukawa is incredibly remote, and reaching the town without a car is fairly difficult. One of the prettiest Hells is Umi Jigoku, which is a pond of boiling blue water surrounded by spacious gardens, orange hot springs, and lotus flowers. You'll also find spectacular scenes of the valley and the bridge from the Moriyama Observation Deck, which can be reached via a steep hike behind the Takeharahachiman Shrine on the north side of the river. Shiiba is well-known as a town of performance art, with traditional "kagura" folk songs and dances also taking place each year. Japan's Rural Aging Population - The Atlantic These are cities of 100,000 to 200,000 people, dense at the . The Shimanami Kaido bridge connects Honshu and Shikoku, and you can cross it either on foot or by bicycle. [1] Rank. Because its not so frequented by tourists, the prices for food, drinks, and accommodation are incredibly cheap. Though called a town, Kamikatsu is effectively the name given to a community of around fifty neighboring settlements spread across the region. In summer, get an authentic experience of Tsuruis agricultural industries in the ranch-style restaurant and hotel Heartn Tree. Amongst them is Konpira-sugi, a 1,000-year-old cedar tree that is over 12m in circumference. Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Japan. According to a . One of the best places to admire Higashinaruse's gorgeous autumn colors is amongst the beech forest that circles Lake Sukawa. Covered with over 30,000 cherry blossom trees, Mt. On a rainy day (and there will be a lot of those), take a drive instead. Then during summer, the hills near the town turn lush green. Further along the ManganjiRiver, the public Kawayu Onsen might be a little too public for some. That includes me! 4 Iconic Landscape: Row Boats In Takachiho Gorge. Nestled deep beneath Japan's Southern Alps, Hayakawa is a substantial leap off the beaten track! The pilgrimage takes several days to complete, and Akasawa became a popular place to rest en route. Totsukawa's waters are also famous for their hot springs and Tosenji Onsen, recognized as one of the 100 Best Hot Springs in Japan. Nearby is Zerubu Hill, one of Biei's many beautiful flower gardens. This is a list of cities in Japan sorted by prefecture and within prefecture by founding date. It is perfect for everyone, especially anyone who wants to try skiing for the first time. Hot air balloon ride There are available hot air balloon rides from the town. There's only one school in town, and locking your doors is unheard of. Thanks for reading! The monolithic tree has twicebeen struck by lightning and the burn marks from the last strike are still visible. For something a little more child-friendly, the area also has Kamo Aquarium, an aquarium almost entirely dedicated to the surprisingly diverse and hypnotic world of jellyfish. After a long tiring day on the slopes, retreat to one of the many natural outdoor onsen baths to enjoy the tranquility of the dark winter evenings while soothing your weary legs. Sightseeing the Japanese Alps is more than enough for me. You can climb the mountain, but be warned, if the volcano is too active there made be barriers in place, so its best to check beforehand to avoid disappointment. The Oirase Mountain Stream in Aomori Prefecture is the only outlet from Lake Towada. Mt. The places weve selected for this list were collected from all over the map; weve chosen them because they represent a special part of the nations personality. While youre in Kyushu, ceramics fans should take a trip to Amari: find out more in 6 Best Japanese Ceramic Towns You Should Visit! Only seven of the islands are inhabited and only a handful of those are currently connected. Another smaller flower park, Kanno Farm, lies a little further south towards the town of Furano and is also famous for its beautiful lavender fields during the summer. These are the places where I think we can find fascinating discoveries and uncover beautiful things within ourselves. 1. Ine The town also known as the Venice of Japan, 2. 1. Here, we can see the works of Shimazaki Toson, a renowned writer also born in Magome. Akasawa was a common stopping point for pilgrims along the 36-kilometer trek to Mt. In the heart of Nara Prefecture is the scenic historical town of Yoshino. Required fields are marked *, Engineering Travels is a travel resource forplaces filled with historyandscenic natural attractions. The Yokobori family. You can also climb Mount Misen on one of three hiking trails and take in the view of Hiroshima Bay. Only 50 miles (85km) from the capital (see map ), the famous Japanese countryside town feels worlds away from the hectic energy of the city with its wide variety of onsen, tranquil Lake Ashinoko and most importantly its stunning views of Mt. When To Visit: March or November. Totsukawa in Nara Prefecture is another mountain town along a historic pilgrimage route. Dating back from the 8th century, the temple briefly became the seat of the Japanese Emperor in the 14th century. Nature in Japan: Where to Go & How to Explore the Japanese Countryside For those interested in dipping into spiritual history and culture of rural Japan, pay a visit to 1,300-year-old Daisen-ji Temple, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Japan. If you want to check out some unique art, also be sure to spend some time at Mabuya, the multi-purpose gallery-cafe-community space run by community members. Tsurui is a village located in the eastern portion of Hokkaido in the Kushiro subprefecture. Fukushima. The beautiful-looking houses and the natural setting of Shirakawa made the entire picture of the village look like it was made for a movie or a fairy tale. Japan population crisis: This community went a quarter century without eljon. Combine these backdrops with Japan's Edo-period buildings, grand temples and shrines and the result is simply spectacular. Kitashiobara was originally formed through the merging of three smaller villages located on the edge of the Bandai Asahi National Park. Check out Shimizuya Shiryokan. Totsukawa is located on the ancient trails that form part of the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, and pilgrims have passed by here for over 1,000 years. Perched on the easternmost portion of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, the Shiretoko Peninsula is one of the most meticulously maintained national parks, and the most unspoilt of all of Japans countryside. Those who brave the summit usually start at Mount Fujis 5th Station at night so that they can greet the sun at the peak.