Traditional Streets/Houses Spots in Japan

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Japan
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Category

Travel / Tourism

Other Sightseeing

Traditional Streets/Houses

Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village

4.5

2179 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gifu Ono-gun Shirakawamura Ogimachi

The Gassho-Zukuri Village of Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture was registered as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1995. Of the three villages registered as the World Heritage Site, this is the largest, with 59 buildings featuring Gassho-zukuri roofs. There is plenty worth getting a look at, from the castle tower observation deck as an absolutely perfect viewpoint of Shirakawa-go to the Wada house, which is a Nationally-Designated Important Cultural Property, the Nagase house, which features one of the largest Gassho-style roofs in the village, a rare Gassho-style temple, and Myozenji Museum. There are also numerous souvenir shops and restaurants.

What an expensive waste of time! The bus fare is exorbitant for a 50 minute trip (¥52,000 per person, def a tourist rip-off) and when you get there there are a number of thatched houses, some pretty...
The funaya of Ine

4.5

326 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Yosa-gun Ine-cho

In the town of Ine-cho on the eastern tip of the Tango Peninsula, a boat garage is called a “Funaya.” These homes that lie in between the road and the sea have a unique construction where the first floor is where the residents prepare for fishing and store their tools, while the second floor is used as a living room and bedroom, etc. The sight of the some 230 funaya lying in a row is unusual even in Japan, and the area has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

It is a quiet area on the Sea of Japan side of Kyoto. Houses for fishing unique to Japan are built facing the sea. And that fishing method continues today. From the sea, you can see the rows of...
Izushi Castle Town

4.0

355 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Izuishi-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture

"A town area located in Izuishi-cho, Toyooka City which has been designated a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. This former castle town, designed using a grid pattern, is also known as the ""Little Kyoto of Tajima."" The area is one of the top soba noodle destinations in the Kansai region, and many soba restaurants stand eve to eve here serving Izuishi soba, a local specialty. Other tourist destinations include the Izuishi Eirakukan, a small performing arts theater established in the Meiji period; museums operating out of former wealthy merchant's residences and other old buildings; and the Shinkoro Clock Tower."

This area is famous for handbags and earthenware. As you wander around, you can look at beautiful examples of the local white clay pottery. There are quite a few handbag workshops. There was one...
Tsumago-juku

Travel / Tourism

Nagano Pref. Kisogunnagisomachi Aduma 2159-2

One of the Nakasendo (old route from Tokyo to Kyoto) post towns which still retains the appearance of a post town from the Edo period. Tsumago-juku is known as the first post town in Japan to preserve its old town atmosphere and it has been designated as an important architectural preservation site and a regional conservation area. The town is full of places to see such as Koi-iwa (Carp rock), one of the three famous rocks, the Waki-Honjin Okuya (a National Important Cultural Property), Nagiso Museum of History with displays on the history of Nagiso Town and the Kisoji Road, and the preservation of Tsumago-juku.
Thatched-Roof Houses of Ainokura Village

4.5

58 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Toyama Pref. Nantoshi Ainokura

There are more than 20 houses, characterized by their heavily slanted thatched roofs, in this village located on a long, narrow plateau of land in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. Here visitors can get a feel for the old traditional Japanese way of life and beautiful countryside nestled in the mountains with fields of rice and other crops surrounding the houses. Ainokura Village offers an inn, souvenir shop, tea house, and folk museum all in the thatched-roof style. The village light up event held every season is also a must-see. Together with the village of Suganuma, the Ainokura Village is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

I preferred Shirakawago to Ainokura, but since there are very few tourists in Ainokura we could see tiny frogs and big grasshoppers in the woods in the viewpoint at the begining of the village. The...
Town of White-Walled Storehouses (Shirakabe Dozogai)

4.0

74 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gifu prefecture Hida-shi Furukawa cho

A historic old town area nicknamed the salon of Takayama which consists of rows of atmospheric sake shops and merchant houses housed in white-walled storehouses. The area is located a five minute walk from Hida-Furukawa Station on the JR Takayama Main Line. The Setogawa River flows through the area and over 1,000 colorful koi carp swim in its waters, engendering a charming, soothing, and somehow nostalgic atmosphere. Koi food is sold in the area for visitors to purchase and feed to the fish. There are restaurants in the area serving foods like croquettes made with Hida beef. Be sure to take your time and stroll the area while listening to the murmur of the river.

Youll find this lovely historic canal district 5 minutes walk from the train station. You can find 2 sake breweries over here where you can taste and some shops.
Tomonoura

Travel / Tourism

Hiroshima Fukuyama-shi Tomochotomo
Ochiai Village

4.0

52 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tokushima Miyoshi-shi Higashiiya Ochiai Hoka

I took the bus here - tour books say to get off at the nearby school but it looks like quite a walk from there. So I followed the tourist information centres bus schedules and got off at Ochiai...
Hommachi Oribe Street

3.0

36 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Gifu Tajimi Honmachi

"A retro townscape of merchant houses and warehouses built between the early Meiji and Showa eras, the 400-meter-long area is dotted with Mino ware stores, galleries, cafes, etc. It was created in an effort to incorporate the free and innovative ideas of Oribe Furuta, a warlord from Gifu Prefecture and a renowned tea master, into modern town development. The ""Ceramic City Creation Hall,"" located in the center of the town, offers a wide variety of ceramics, from traditional Mino ware to works by young ceramic artists."

多治見駅から徒歩15分ほど。多治見橋を渡ったあたりにあります。このあたりは明治から昭和初期にかけて、美濃焼の問屋が軒を並べ、多治見の商業の中心地として大いに栄えたところ。今でも大きな問屋や古いお店が軒を並べていて、名残があります。陶器屋さんや食事処も古民家を利用したりしており、風情があります。
Matsumaehan Yashiki

4.0

45 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Matsumaegunmatsumaechou Nishidate 68

A theme park located in Nishidate, Matsumae Town, Matsumae County, Hokkaido Prefecture. A recreation of a townscape of Matsume as it looked when it was a prosperous castle town in the Edo period, the park consists of 14 buildings, including a samurai mansion and merchant homes. Visitors can try on Japanese armor, make Matsumae-zuke (Matsumae-style pickles), and taste the atmosphere of Edo period.

松前公園の一番奥、外れにあります。隣には広い駐車場もありますが、天守からはちょっと離れています。天守から歩くと上り坂を１０分ほどかかります。途中に松前藩の墓所があったり楽しめますが。藩屋敷は小さなテーマパークになっていて、通りに面して当時を再現した家屋が並んでいます。旅籠や商家、民家などで靴を脱いで自由に出入りすることができます。奥には門構えも立派な武家屋敷もあります。ただ、ども家屋も通りに面し...
Kiragawa Historic Streets

4.0

33 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kouchi Pref. Muroto-shi Kiragawacho Ko 2200-1

Kiragawa-cho, Muroto City is a neighborhood that has retained its Meiji era townscape. Lined with merchant houses, storehouses, and other period buildings, it was the first district in Kochi Prefecture to be designated as a National Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The district is notable for its plaster walls, “mizukiri” drainage tiles, and its “ishiguro,” stone masonry outer walls built to protect homes from typhoons.

高知市から室戸岬に向かう途中に伝統的建造物群保存地区がひっそりとある。美しい四国漆喰の壁を守るために壁面に多重の屋根を配している。その伝統を守りながら現在も使い続けているところに価値がある。どの地方でもそうだが、過疎化に抗いながらの保存は並大抵の努力が必要である。
Magariya Shiryokan

4.0

32 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Fukushima Minamiaizu-gun Minamiaizumachi Maezawa 337

This village in Maezawa, Minamiaizu Town was selected as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2011. It features 19 traditional homes including 13 chumon-zukuri magariya, a style of L-shaped farmhouses characteristic of the Tohoku region. The village, which is still actively inhabited, is a well-preserved example of a landscape from a bygone era. The village is open to visitors from late April to around mid-November.

人が住んでいるため入れるのは民俗を伝える曲家資料館。人が住んでいるため他の家には入れません。民家なので庭先など入らないように配慮し、歩道を歩いて見て回ります。広くはないので15分もあれば回れる広さです。
Hasami Town Pottery village Nakaoyama

4.5

25 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Higashisonogi-gun Hasami Cho Nakaogo

有田焼に隣接する波佐見焼、ICは、共通。その陶磁器の町江戸期の日常生活用品の大量生産で全国を制覇した「波佐見焼」の中でも、今も中小の窯元が集まる中尾山。世界最大級の1・2位の登窯跡や、煉瓦造りの煙突、陶器やその破片で構成された、歩道や欄干の路地など、登窯跡に登れば、小さな街を一望できます。好みの窯元に、気楽に入って今では、伝統とともに芸術的、創造的な作品を見て回り、お得な買い物をする...
Ichibangai Kurazukuri-no-machinami historic street

Travel / Tourism

Saitama ken Kawagoe city

"Ichibangai Kurazukuri-no-machinami historic street is located around 10 minutes' walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. With just over 30 Kurazukuri warehouse-style buildings lining the road, this area plays a very important role in the preservation of traditional architecture. The Kurazukuri buildings are one of the most important tourist attractions in Kawagoe (which came to be known as ""Little Edo"" because of its prosperity). The oldest of the Kurazukuri buildings is the Osawa House, which was constructed in 1792 and has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Visitors to this area can also view the ""Toki-no-kane"" (Time Bell Tower)-which has become a symbol of Kawagoe-from close to; more than a century after it was constructed, the bell-tower continues to tell the time through the ringing out of the bell four times a day. The branch of Saitama Resona Bank located halfway down the street is an old Western-style building that perfectly matches the historic ambience of the area."
Nishi Hanami-koji

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Higashiyama Ward

This side street of Gion town is lined with machiya townhouses and is rich with old Kyoto charm. This is recommended as a great walking spot to enjoy a street with a relaxed atmosphere.
Kurayoshi’s Shirakabe Storehouses (White Wall District)

Travel / Tourism

Tottori Pref. Kurayoshishi Shinmachi Around

"Shirakabe traditional warehouse district of Kurayoshi City is located around 40 minutes' drive from either the Yubara Interchange or the Hiruzen Interchange of the Yonago Expressway. Known as ""Little Kyoto"" because of its elegant appearance, the warehouse district has traditional white-walled warehouse buildings and stone bridges crossing the Tamagawa River that flows through the city, creating a magical retro atmosphere; this is one of the most Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Most of the warehouse buildings-which combine black walls made from burnt cedar wood with white wall plaster and red Sesshu tiled roofs-were built in the Edo period (1603-1868) or the Meiji period (1868-1912). Several of the warehouses have been refurbished inside, such as Akagawara Ichigokan (which now houses several first-rate shops selling local specialty products); others are now used as cafes, art galleries, etc."
Lake Akan-ko Ainu Kotan

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kushiroshi Akanchouakankonsen

About 120 Ainu people live on the banks of Lake Akan, the largest Ainu Kotan (Ainu settlement) in Hokkaido. At the Ainu Theater Ikoro you can enjoy the ancient dance of the Ainu, designated as a National Important Intangible Ethnic Cultural Property. It is also a place for the production and sales of traditional folk craft. There are tours for you to be able to experience Ainu culture, so please make sure you have plenty of time when you visit.
Kawaramachi

Travel / Tourism

Gifu Pref. Gifushi Minatomachi · Tamai Town/Motohama Town neighborhood

Take a bus from JR or Meitetsu Gifu Station bound for Gifu Park, the Nagarabashi Bridge/Takatomi area, or the City Loop Line counterclockwise route; get off at the Nagarabashi Bridge bus stop; and walk five minutes. A long, narrow townscape consisting of rows of old-fashioned Japanese homes which extends west from the cormorant fishing spectator boat boarding area at the south end of the Nagara Bridge. Here you’ll find shops selling colorful Gifu uchiwa hand fans, a local traditional handicraft; as well as ayugashi sweetfish-shaped cakes, in addition to restaurants, boutiques, and stylish cafes operating out of remodeled old townhomes and storehouses standing eave to leave. The area is also designated a part of Gifu Prefecture’s “Brand New Treasure” tourism promotion initiative. Be sure to explore the area before going to watch cormorant fishing.
Udatsu Townscape

Travel / Tourism

Tokushima Pref. Mimashi Wakimachi South town

First established as the castle town of Waki Castle, this townscape developed as center for the indigo trade. Many of the machiya (town houses) feature tile-roofed and plastered udatsu (short pillars for supporting a ridgepole) on both ends of their roofs. The streets, which retain the scenery of Japan’s early modern and modern period, are lined with 85 traditional buildings built between the mid Edo period to the early Showa period, with most being built around the Meiji period. Every October, the neighborhood holds the Udatsu Festival. The townscape has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Roads as well as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Mameda-machi

Travel / Tourism

Oita Pref. Hitashi Mamedamachi

"A district located along the Kagetsu River in Hita City. The district has been designated a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Hita prospered as a ""tenryo"" domain under the direct control of the Edo shogunate, and many merchants gathered in this district. Today, many preserved old merchant houses and storehouses still stand here, and it has become a sightseeing destination where visitors can experience the area's history. The Tenryo Hita Doll Festival is held here in mid-February."