Weathered Urban Alleys Industrial Remnants
Weathered alleyway between dilapidated buildings tells of forgotten industrial past.

In the Maze of Kinkotsu Meguri

Stroll through this district of sprawling alleyways … at your own risk!

Gero Onsen, one of the three best-known hot springs in Japan, is in Gifu prefecture. Kanayama-cho, 28 km south, is attached to the city of Gero.

Kinkotsu Meguri
Kinkotsu Meguri

Kanayama village is made up of a sprawling district of alleyways: Kinkotsu Meguri 筋 骨 め ぐ り. The narrow streets are so intricately intertwined that the place is said to be a maze for non-locals.

Kinkotsu Meguri
Kinkotsu Meguri

The advice on the city website is don’t hesitate to ask residents the way if you find yourself lost! If you’re not the adventurous type, you can also call on the services of a local guide.

The word Kinkotsu 筋 骨 means “muscle and bones”. It was chosen in reference to the complexity and narrowness of the alleys, resembling human body parts.

Kinkotsu Meguri
Kinkotsu Meguri

Kanayama village, at the crossroads of several feudal fiefs, was used as a border post and developed through trade. During the turbulent Sengoku period (14771573), clan wars and political unrest raged in the archipelago.

The Kinkotsu Meguri maze was built to disorientate potential enemies, who would lose themselves along the dark alleyways.

Kinkotsu Meguri
Kinkotsu Meguri

The village is believed to have been inhabited for a long time: remains of the Jōmon period (c. 14,000 and 300 BC) have been found nearby. Traces of dwellings, earthenware, stone tools and arrowheads dating back to 10,000 BC have been excavated near the Iwaya Dam.

Kinkotsu Meguri
Kinkotsu Meguri

The tiny alleys weave between the Meiji and Shōwa wooden houses that are still standing. The passageway is sometimes so narrow that only one person at a time can squeeze through.

Kinkotsu Meguri
Kinkotsu Meguri

All these secret passages are still essential to locals, probably the only people who know them, as shortcuts through the neighbourhood.

The maze of old alleyways of Kinkotsu Meguri district harks back to the Shōwa era (19261989). This retro atmosphere is very photogenic. Almost like being lost in an anime adventure, out of time in this little corner of rural Japan.

Hidden in the maze is a local version of the flying castle in Howl’s Moving Castle !

Kinkotsu Meguri
Kinkotsu Meguri

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Graffiti whispers, Youth dance in vivid colors— Tokyo's heart beats on. グラフィティはささやき、 若者が鮮やかな色で踊る— 東京の心が打つ。 #offbeatjapan #tokyostyle #harajuku #japan #streetart #urbanvibes #fashionexpression
Crimson leaf chorus, Amber whispers in the breeze— Momijigari.---紅葉の合唱、 琥珀のささやきが風に乗る— 紅葉狩り。 ---#autumninjapan #momijigari #fallcolors #naturelovers #landscapephotography #offbeatjapan #japan
Rolling misty dreams, Blue and green whispers converge, Mountains touch the sky. ---転がる霧、 青と緑が囁く、 山は空に触れる。 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #mistymountains #dreamyscapes #naturewhispers #japaneselands #hakone #nikko
Orange drum resounds, Shadows dance on glass and wood, Old meets new at dusk.  オレンジの太鼓、 ガラスと木に影が踊る、 夕暮れに古と新が出会う。  #KanazawaStation #TsuzumiMon #urbanjapan #architecturelovers #offbeatjapan #japan #modernmeetstraditional
Blue haze softly glows, Stone paths bind past with future— Time whispers in night.青い霞が優しく輝く、 石畳が過去と未来を結ぶ— 時間は夜に囁く。#roji #nocturnalscene #japanlovers #urbanharmony #serenemoments #offbeatjapan #japan
Moss-clad gate whispers, Where sunlit streams softly dance, Nature’s shrine unfolds.苔むす門、 木漏れ日の小川、 自然の社。#sacredjapan #mossymagic #toriiwanderings #serenityinthetrees #hiddenretreat #spiritualjourney #offbeatjapan #japan
Modern white and blue, Reflects on ancient timber, Past meets the future.モダンな白と青が、 古い木材に映り込む、 過去が未来に出会う。#architecturalcontrast #traditionmeetstechnology #modernjapan #culturalblend #reflectivebeauty #offbeatjapan #japan
Golden walls whisper, Among emerald whispers; Where sky meets old dreams. ---黄金の壁、 エメラルドの囁き; 空が古き夢に触れる。 ---#offbeatjapan #japan #mysticalplaces #hiddenjapan #serenesetting #mountainscape #villagelife