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Top Traditional Villages in Japan

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1

Ouchi-Juku rating icon 8.4

Yamamoto Ouchi, Shimogo, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima 969-5207, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 52 of 428
Popularity in Category: 6 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 4164 of 29087
Traditional Villages
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Mary December 9, 2024

I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. The streets are cobblestone and you’ll be walking a lot. I had blisters by the end of the day which made walking back to the bus really annoying!

2

Iyashinosato Ancient Japanese Village rating icon 6.4

Japan, 〒401-0332 Yamanashi, Minamitsuru District, Fujikawaguchiko, Saiko, 根場 2710 copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 121 of 428
Popularity in Category: 17 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 10115 of 29087
Traditional Villages
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Benjamin February 19, 2025

I recommend visiting on a weekday if you can. It was way less crowded than the weekend, and I could really enjoy the peaceful vibes without bumping into a ton of tourists.

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Brian November 29, 2024

I suggest wearing comfy shoes because you’ll do quite a bit of walking. The paths can be uneven, so a good pair will help make the day a lot more enjoyable!

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Dorothy November 25, 2024

You might wanna bring some snacks and water. There are limited food options on-site, and I ended up paying a bit more than I expected for a basic lunch.

3

Shima Spain Village rating icon 6.1

Isobecho Sakazaki, Shima, Mie 517-0212, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 135 of 428
Popularity in Category: 18 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 11287 of 29087
Traditional Villages
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Joshua February 23, 2025

I think you'll enjoy the cultural shows, but check the schedule beforehand. I missed out on a great flamenco performance because I didn’t plan it right!

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James November 22, 2024

I suggest taking a walk through the gardens in the late afternoon. The sunset view is stunning, and it’s a nice break from the busy attractions.

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Zachary October 13, 2024

My advice is to grab a combo ticket. It saved me some cash, and it gives you access to most of the fun stuff without shelling out more money later.

4

Tsumago-Juku rating icon 6

Azuma, Nagiso, Kiso District, Nagano 399-5302, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 139 of 428
Popularity in Category: 19 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 11701 of 29087
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James March 29, 2025

Take your time exploring the side streets. Some of the best photo spots and hidden gems are just a few steps off the main path.

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Benjamin March 7, 2025

Wear comfortable shoes. The paths can be a bit uneven, and you'll want to stroll around the old town without worrying about your feet

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Patrick December 12, 2024

Don't miss the small museums and exhibitions. They may seem low-key, but they really add to the understanding of the area’s history. I spent an hour in one and loved it.

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Patricia November 21, 2024

Bring cash! Not all shops and restaurants accept credit cards. I ran into a couple of places that didn’t, which was pretty inconvenient.

5

Hida Folk Village rating icon 5

1-chōme-590 Kamiokamotomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0055, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 178 of 428
Popularity in Category: 28 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 14770 of 29087
Traditional Villages
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James March 28, 2025

I think it’s smart to grab a map at the entrance. It really saved me time wandering around, and helped me find all the cool exhibits without missing any!

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Benjamin December 10, 2024

My advice is to wear comfortable shoes. Trust me, you'll be doing a lot of walking on some uneven surfaces, and your feet will thank you later

6

Narai-juku rating icon 4.4

Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano 399-6303, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 200 of 428
Popularity in Category: 30 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 16333 of 29087
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Andrew January 30, 2025

I think it’s a good idea to visit during the week if you can. The weekends can get kinda busy with tourists and it takes away from the peaceful vibe.

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Matthew January 10, 2025

If you're into shopping, don’t miss the craft shops. I found some lovely handmade souvenirs. Just remember to bring cash, as not all places accept cards.

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Elizabeth November 20, 2024

My advice is to wander off the main path a bit! Some of the best photo spots and quiet little shops are down those less crowded streets.

7

Historical Village of Hokkaido rating icon 4.3

Historical Village of Hokkaido, 1, 厚別町小野幌, Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo, Ishikari Subprefecture, Hokkaido Prefecture, 004-0006, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 206 of 428
Popularity in Category: 34 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 16468 of 29087
Traditional Villages
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Patricia December 22, 2024

I recommend checking out the museum shop! They have some really unique local crafts and souvenirs that are way cooler than what you'll find in the usual tourist spots.

8

Gero Onsen Gassho Village rating icon 4

2369 Mori, Gero, Gifu 509-2202, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 221 of 428
Popularity in Category: 35 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 17506 of 29087
Traditional Villages
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Nathan February 11, 2025

I suggest visiting on a weekday if you can. It was quite busy on the weekend, and I found some spots hard to enjoy at a leisurely pace. Less crowd made it more enjoyable for me!

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Jane November 1, 2024

Bring cash. Some smaller shops and eateries don’t accept cards, so having yen on you will save you from missing out on some delicious local food.

9

Ainokura Gassho-Zukuri Village rating icon 3.9

Ainokura, Nanto, Toyama 939-1915, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 226 of 428
Popularity in Category: 36 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 17879 of 29087
Traditional Villages
10

Heidi's Village rating icon 3.9

Heidi's Village, Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Chubu Region, Japan copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 228 of 428
Popularity in Category: 38 of 59
Popularity Worldwide: 17855 of 29087
Traditional Villages
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David March 13, 2025

If you want to have a quieter experience, I suggest visiting on a weekday. Saturdays can get super crowded and it’s not fun waiting in long lines for everything.

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Jack December 31, 2024

I recommend bringing your own snacks if you want to save some money. The food options are a bit pricey and the portions are small.

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Mary October 18, 2024

If you’re up for it, try the hiking trails nearby. I thought they would be too tough, but they’re actually quite manageable and offer stunning views!