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December 5, 2024 | 08:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japan is a celebrated travel destination, renowned for its diverse entertainment, unique urban experiences, and captivating natural beauty. Towns in Japan are exceptionally captivating, with a wide range of preserved heritage at every bend of the road. If you are looking for the ultimate holiday experience, take a look at the most beautiful traditional towns in Japan below.
7 Most Beautiful Towns in Japan
Timeout and AFAR Magazine named Kurashiki and Sawara as the most beautiful towns in Japan. Read on to discover the other contenders.
1. Kurashiki, Okayama
Just an hour from Okayama City, Kurashiki is an enchanting escape that captures the essence of celebrated history and natural abundance. Its prime location on the Seto Inland Sea was a designated rice distribution center in ancient Japan.
The town couldn't be more breathtaking, with the addition of the historic canal lining the legendary white-walled Kurastorehouses. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Kojima area, also known as the birthplace of Japanese denim.
2. Sawara, Chiba
Sawara, a merchant town in Chiba, occupies the high rank of captivating town in Japan list for its tranquil atmosphere. Surrounded by the presence of quiet canals, traditional residents, eccentric shops, and well-defined warehouses, Sawara leaves every traveler visiting in awe.
Across the old-fashioned town, be sure to take a scenic boat ride along the city's characteristic canals, which in the distant past were largely used as a transport hub for rice shipments.
3. Shirakawa-Go, Gifu
Nestled in a mountainous area, Shirakawa-Go is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its picturesque landscapes of farmhouses. A destination for every traveler, Shirakawa-Go is easily accessible by bus from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, and Takayama.
4. Narai, Nagano
Narai, once the halfway point between Tokyo and Kyoto, deserves a place of its own when talking about spellbinding towns in Japan. Enriched in history, a leisure walk around this key road will reveal you to the idyllic blend of delightful restaurants, souvenir shops, minshuku guesthouses, and the unexpected no-vehicle regulation on the main street.
5. Kakunodate, Kakita
Step back in time with a visit to the former samurai district where Kakunodate's castles once stood. Since the 1600s, the town has immortalized the same street configuration, evoking a sense of nostalgia at its best. To make your spring visit even more enjoyable, stop by the town's popular cherry blossom destination and enjoy the blossoming cherry trees.
6. Tsuwano, Shimane
Nicknamed Little Tokyo for its resemblance to the historic city, Tsuwano's main street is filled with a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, and inspiring historic buildings. Take a stroll around the district and immerse yourself in the old samurai residences with their white clay walls, red-tiled roofs, and canals teeming with colorful carp.
7. Kawagoe, Saitama
Saitama’s Kawagoe is one of the most beautiful towns in Japan, home to a well-preserved Koedo area, a long-standing landmark, and a cherry blossom hotspot. In addition to several restaurants, cafes, and traditional buildings, travelers are invited to visit Kawagoe's Toki no Kane bell tower and the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, where tourists flock to capture the moment.
Timeout | AFAR
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