Narai-juku, Nagano: The Traditionally Designed Japanese Town
Narai-juku is a quaint post town that is located in present-day Shiojiri City, a mountainous region in southern Nagano. This nationally designated architectural preservation site is part of the Nakasendo Trail which used to be a 534-kilometer-long route connecting Kyoto and Tokyo in Edo Period.
Things to Do in Rural Japan
So you landed in Japan on an ESL grant or some other job, hoping that you might be able to live in Tokyo or Yokohama, but instead you were posted in some one-horse town in the boonies. How can you make your days in the countryside a worthwhile experience?
At Home in Rural Japan Pt. 3: The Wonder of Japanese Vegetable Gardens
It is amazingly wonderful to wander down country lanes and drink in the absolutely beautiful, peaceful, rural scenery.
At Home in Rural Japan Pt. 2: The Spring Kitchen and Foraging of Wild Vegetables
People might wonder–why take the trouble to forage when vegetables can be easily purchased? The answer lies in a deep rooted part of the rural life-style and traditional Japanese cuisine which involves eating seasonal foods.
At Home in Rural Japan Part 1: The Heart of the Rural Japanese Home
Welcome to the rural Japanese kitchen, which is the essence and heart of the home in rural Japan. It is far more than just a place to prepare the family meals.
Urban vs. Rural: Which Japan is a Better Fit for You?
It is important that you think very carefully, if you are coming to live and work in Japan for the first time, about where you would like to live. Are you a city dweller or a countryside rambler?
The Beauty of Rail Travel: Japan's Most Scenic Train Routes
Taking slower trains allows you not only the time to relax and unwind...but it also allows you to reconnect with nature and remind yourself of just how beautiful a country Japan really is.
15 Things to Do in Gifu
If you are seeking to experience the older side of Japan away from the cities, here are my top 15 recommendations of what Gifu has to offer for your next visit!
Roti Harapan: A Little Village Bread Shop in Hiroshima
About 2.5 hours from Hiroshima, there is a little village named Jinsekikogen, which is surround by mountains Mt. Hoshinoko and Mt. Ryuo, that makes the view from this village really stunning! One of the villagers Sanae, wanted to make the village come alive again, so then she established a little—actually big—bread shop and called it Roti Harapan.
Tateyama: Another World 90 Minutes from Tokyo
When you’re ready for a change of pace from the congestion of Tokyo, nothing beats the beautiful countryside around Tateyama on the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba prefecture.
Overnight Get-away from Fukuoka City: Discover Old-world Japanese Charm and the Magic of Fireflies!
If you are in the Fukuoka City area during early to mid June and want to have a genuinely magical firefly viewing experience- an overnight stay in the countryside town of Nogatashi is an awesome experience!
It Could Only Happen in Japan: A Misunderstanding in Okayama
One of my first experiences of rural Japanese life, and both the attributes and limitations thereof, came in 2008 when I made the move from the bright lights, glitz and glamour of Tokyo, to the gentle farmlands of rural Okayama.