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Showing posts from November, 2021

Shirakawa-go

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                                      Shirakawa-go   This remote village, a Unesco World Heritage site, looks like something out of a fairytale, with thatched Gassho-style houses surrounded by mountainous landscapes. These houses are traditional farm buildings, which were built between the 17th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The settlement is a bit of a schlep from Tokyo by car or train – but it’s well worth a visit. Stock up on handcrafted woodwork souvenirs while you’re here and try some of the local foods, which include Hida beef croquettes and tofu sashimi.

Hida-Takayama

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  Hida-Takayama is nicknamed ‘Little Kyoto’ for its abundance of shrines, temples and picturesque 18th-century buildings. The town, which is known for its  excellent sake , is isolated by the surrounding Hida Mountains, which overlook a scene of riverside markets, traditional shops and Japanese-style inns. San-machi Suji street is the heart of the city’s Historic District, and home to many buildings that are accessible through blue  noren  (fabric) curtains.

Magome

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  Magome is a post town in the Kiso Valley, which once served as an important stop-over point for Edo-period travelers making the long journey between Tokyo and Kyoto along the Nakasendo Trail. The town’s main street, a wide stone walkway lined with beautifully restored old buildings, is closed to vehicular traffic. Aside from admiring pretty architecture, the main reason to visit Magome is to hike the Magome-Tsumago Trail, a five-mile section of the Nakasendo Trail. This pleasant trail winds through forests and farmland and passes waterfalls, before ending in the equally lovely town of Tsumago. The trail is well-marked in English and a bus travels between the two villages for those who don’t feel like walking back to Magome after completing the hike.