Japan

Japan

Ine traditional boathouses at night, Japan coast town Easy walk
Kyoto

The Funaya of Ine

Nestled on a strip between land and sea, this picturesque village with its houses on stilts offers a landscape of rare beauty.

Some crowds
Half day for a walk along the bay and photos; Full day if you add the bay sightseeing boat trip and/or stay overnight in a funaya guesthouse.
Quaint Canadian village replica, rural Japan Nostalgic
Hokkaido

Nostalgia for Canada at Hokkaido

Welcome to a Canadian ghost town in the heart of Hokkaido. Formerly a theme park reproducing the fictional village of Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables has long gone.

Difficulty
Risk
Takayama Inari Shrine Easy walk
Aomori

Takayama Inari Shrine

Follow the Senbon-Torii path through the red gates to meet the foxes and the goddess Inari ...

Some crowds
2–3 hours (half day if combining with other Tsugaru/Aomori sights or allowing for slower travel connections)
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine Some hiking
Kumamoto

The Incredible Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

At the foot of Mount Aso stands a small shrine with a mystical atmosphere, lost in the middle of a cypress forest. Take the path with stone torii gates and discover this timeless place.

Some crowds
Half day (about 2–4 hours on site including the climb and visit to Ugetoiwa)
Charming cobblestone street in historic Hida-Furukawa town, Japan. Lively
Gifu

In the Alleyways of Hida-Furukawa

This traditional township in the heart of Gifu prefecture comes alive every spring for the hadaka matsuri festival ...

April Festival
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Exploring Uchikos Historic Charm: Step Back in Time Easy walk
Autumn

The Village of Yokaichi

The charming village of Yokaichi, in the countryside of Shikoku island, takes you back to the Meiji era. Its beautiful wooden houses are worth a lingering look.

Quiet
Half day (3–5 hours) for the Yokaichi district, Kamihaga Residence/Wax Museum, and Uchiko-za; full day if you explore more of Uchiko at a slow pace
Suspended Whimsical Wooden Boat Sculpture Easy walk
Autumn

Fujimori’s Tea houses In Nagano

Terunobu Fujimori is an architect and historian of architecture. He began his building career relatively late, in his early forties. Before that, he had forged a solid reputation as an academic.

Some crowds
Half day (including travel from Chino Station and viewing from outside); longer if day-tripping from Tokyo
Rock Ship of Masuda Easy walk
Kansai

The Strange Rock Ship of Masuda

The village of Asuka, in the Takaichi district of Nara prefecture, is famous for its mysterious stones.

Some crowds
2–3 hours (including local transit and the uphill walk); Half day if combining with other Asuka stone sites
Miharus ancient weeping cherry tree wonderland. Ethereal
Fukushima

Miharu Takizuka: The Most Beautiful Cherry Tree in Japan

A miraculous survivor of the 2011 earthquake, the blossom of the thousand-year-old cherry tree attracts more than 300,000 visitors every year!

Cherry Blossom Peak
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