From soaring skyscrapers to peaceful villages, Japan offers a seamless blend of old meets new. Yet no trip would be complete without experiencing some of Japan’s old-world charm by visiting historical districts that will make you feel like you stepped right into the past. Whether it’s walking The Nakasendo Trail, visiting Kanazawa’s historical Higashi Chaya District or marveling at Kakunodate’s beautiful samurai residences, these destinations will reveal a side of Japan that you can’t experience in the big cities.
The Nakasendo Trail
Dating back to the 1600s, The Nakasendo Trail is the old merchant highway which connected the former capital of Kyoto to Edo (present-day Tokyo.) Winding through mountains and lush valleys, the route had 69 post-towns in its heyday, bustling with shops, tea houses, and inns for weary travelers to rest and refresh. While much of the road has been lost to time, several of the post-towns in Nagano remain largely unchanged since the Edo period, offering a tantalizing glimpse into old Japan.
Once the wealthiest of the post-towns, Narai-juku is located less than an hour from Matsumoto. The long main street is lined with traditional wooden buildings which are wonderfully preserved and accented by flowers and potted plants. Inside their intimate interiors, you can find craft shops, sake shops, soba restaurants, and cafes. Tsumago is another charming post-town, where locals remain committed to preserving the old-world feel by hiding power lines and banning cars during the day. Their historical museum, the Rekishi Shiryokan, is a great introduction to the area with plenty of information in English. Walking from Tsumago to Magome, also a post-town, is another great way to experience the Nakasendo. The two towns are 5.6 miles apart and the path brings you through quiet farmlands and incredible cedar forests. Picturesque Magome is itself well worth visiting. Most easily accessible from Nagoya, Magome is also the point at which many travelers who wish to hike the whole route start their journey. Walking tours can also be booked for those who wish to experience the area to the fullest.
Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya is a historical district in Kanazawa, a city in central Japan which is a convenient two-and-a-half-hour journey from either Tokyo or Kyoto by bullet or express train. The former heart of the Kaga domain, Kanazawa has long been a center of arts and culture in the region, and Higashi Chaya is an excellent example of a preserved geisha district. Wandering the narrow streets with their ornate lattice-work buildings, you will find a plethora of unique artisan shops, souvenirs, cafes, Japanese sweets shops, and more. Five dedicated geisha houses remain, where visitors can see a geisha performance accompanied by shamisen and drum music. Shima and Kaikaro teahouses allow visitors to take in the exceptional architectural beauty of teahouse interiors and partake in tea and sweets. While walking around, you’re sure to see many gold-leaf products (including sweets topped with edible gold leaf!). Gold leaf is a specialty of Kanazawa, and participating in a gold-leaf workshop or visiting the Yasue Gold Leaf Museum is a great way to round out your visit. To fully experience the unique architectural beauty, some of the traditional townhomes, or machiya, are available for rent as accommodation. While you’re in the area, don’t miss Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of the top-three landscape gardens in Japan.
Kakunodate’s Bukeyashiki District
Sometimes called ‘little Kyoto’, Kakunodate in Akita is a gorgeous historical town with some of the finest examples of samurai residence architecture in the country. Six of the former residences are open to the public, allowing a glimpse into how the wealthy samurai families of the past lived, as well as a chance to view priceless artefacts such as swords and works of art. One of the largest, Aoyagi House, contains museums and gift shops in addition to the main residence. They also offer a kimono rental service, so you can fully immerse yourself in the historical atmosphere as you stroll through the town.
The changing seasons add immeasurable charm to the area. Autumn brings spectacular fall color, as the maples surrounding the residences turn vibrant reds and golds, contrasting with the dark wood of the buildings. The leaves are lit up at night from around mid-October to late November, revealing beautiful night views of the historic streets. However, with 165 weeping cherry trees lining the main street of the Bukeyashiki district, the area is also one of the most famous spots in the Tohoku region for cherry blossom viewing.
