Inamura Rock: Majestic autumn landscape with vibrant foliage and peaceful village in Japan.
A picturesque autumn day in Japans Kanto region, with Inamura Rock towering over a peaceful village below.

Nippara: Where The Samurai Came To Find Peace

Chance discoveries are often the most amazing. It was on the road to Nippara limestone caves that I found this village of little interest yet total surprise.

The tiny settlement, clinging to the mountainside, is overlooked by the impressive Inamura Rock. There are only about 60 residents, and the school has been closed for a long time. But the location is unique: this is part of Tokyo metropolitan area yet you’d think the village wants to stay hidden as far away as possible, out of sight.

autumn, natural, nature, nishitama, rock, village
Inamura Rock
autumn, natural, nature, nishitama, rock, village
Inamura Rock

History bears this out. Civil war was rampant in 14th-century Japan, with Emperor Go-Daigo in constant confrontation with the shogunate. The samurai warriors in the pay of the emperor lost the battle on the Kansai front, so in search of a haven of peace they took refuge at Inamura, founding Nippara below the protective rocky barrier.

What most fascinates me is that this village is still there centuries later, safeguarded by the rock and the samurai descendants, despite the implausibility of its very existence.

autumn, natural, nature, nishitama, rock, village
Inamura Rock
autumn, natural, nature, nishitama, rock, village
Inamura Rock
autumn, natural, nature, nishitama, rock
Inamura Rock
abandoned, autumn, haikyo, japan, japanese, nishitama, ruin, urban exploration, urbex, vending-machine
Inamura Rock
autumn, natural, nature, nishitama, rock
Inamura Rock

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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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Below the train's hum, Neon whispers paint the night— Cobalt dreams unfold. 電車の下で ネオンが夜を彩る— コバルトの夢。---#offbeatjapan #japan #yokochovibes #neonnights #japanesenightlife #urbanexploration #cozycorners #cobaltblue
Pruned pine whispers calm, Old wood meets azure blue skies, Mountains hug the past. 切りそろえた松の静けさ 古木と青空、出会う 山々に抱かれた過去 #offbeatjapan #japan #traditionalvillage #woodenarchitecture #serenescenes #historicjapan #natureandheritage
Eternal blue mist, Torii guards the ocean's breath, Whispers from the past.永遠の青霧 鳥居が海の息を守る 過去からのささやき#ToriiSpirit #CoastalJapan #SacredSeas #VolcanicRocks #BlueDusk #offbeatjapan #japan
Scarlet sea of brush, Winding path through fire ablaze, Beneath blue whispers. ---紅色の絨毯、 火に包まれた道、 青空の下。---#HitachiSeasidePark #kochia #floralwonderland #vibrantjapan #offbeatjapan #naturelovers #japan
Winter's hushed embrace, Blue snow hides the sacred glow— Golden lights whisper. ---冬の静けさ 青い雪が隠す 金の灯の囁き---#wintersilence #japanesewinter #shintoshrine #snowymystery #sacredglow #goldenlight #offbeatjapan #japan
Quiet rabbit rests, Moss blankets dreams in sunlight, Echoes of the past. 静かなウサギ、 苔に夢を託し、 過去の声が響く。  #RabbitIsland #Ōkunoshima #NatureLovers #HistoricJapan #MossyDreams #OffbeatJapan #Japan
Orange leaves whisper, Midst shaded greens and shadows— Nature's secret glow.---オレンジの葉 緑と影の中— 自然の秘密の輝き。---#koyo #autumnleaves #forestvibes #naturephotography #offbeatjapan #japan #hiddenbeauty
Sunset paints the sky, Volcanic peak stands aglow— Nature's quiet grace. 日が沈む空、 輝く火山の頂— 自然の静かな恵み。 #offbeatjapan #japan #volcaniclandscape #sunsetglow #naturelovers #ruraljapan #hiddenbeauty #mountainmagic