9 Picturesque Villages in Japan: Alternatives to Shirakawa-go
- Published on : 14/07/2026
- by : Phoebe
- Youtube
Ainokura
@Frank Fujimoto on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go is one of Japan’s most beautiful villages—but also one of the most crowded. Fortunately, Japan is full of historic villages! Here are 9 charming alternatives to explore across Japan with Japan Experience.
1. Ainokura (Toyama)
Located in the Gokayama region, the village of Ainokura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. About twentygassho-zukuri houses (houses with steep thatched roofs), some of which are over 300 years old, are still inhabited there. Much quieter than the village of Shirakawa-go,Ainokura offers an immersive experience of traditional rural life in the heart of the Toyama mountains.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Ainokura, Nanto, Toyama Prefecture
Ainokura
@Alexis on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
2. Suganuma (Toyama)
Also located in the Gokayama Valley, Suganuma is a small village surrounded by mountains and forests. Its limited number of traditional houses gives it a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for admiring the gassho-zukuri architecture without the pressure of crowds. Several buildings now house museums dedicated to sericulture and daily life in the past.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Suganuma, Nanto, Toyama Prefecture
Suganuma
@xiquinhosilva on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
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3. Tsumago-juku (Nagano)
A former stop on the Nakasendo Road connecting Kyoto to Edo (Tokyo),Tsumago is one of Japan’s best-preserved post towns. Power lines have been buried and modern signage has been kept to a minimum to preserve the village’s appearance as it was during the Edo period.Its streets, lined with inns, wooden shops, and traditional houses, take visitors back in time.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Tsumago, Nagiso, Nagano Prefecture
Tsumago
@Patrick Vierthaler on Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0
4. Magome-juku (Gifu)
Located a few kilometers from Tsumago, Magome marks the entrance to the former province of Mino. This hillside village is known for its cobblestone street, waterwheels, and restored traditional houses. It is also the starting point of the famous hiking trail connecting Magome to Tsumago,one of Japan’s most beautiful historic trails.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Magome, Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture
Magome
@Japanexperterna.se on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
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5. Ouchi-juku (Fukushima)
Founded in the 17th century, Ouchi-juku was an important stop on the road connecting Aizu to Nikko. The village has preserved its traditional thatched-roof houses, many of which now house inns, restaurants, and shops. In particular, you can sample the famous negi soba there, served with a leek used in place of chopsticks.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Ouchi, Shimogo, Fukushima Prefecture
Ouchi-juku
@Seg Keung Lo on Flick, CC BY-NC 2.0
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6. Miyama Kayabuki no Sato (Kyoto)
An hour and a half from Kyoto, Miyama is home to dozens of traditional houses that are still inhabited. Unlike many historic villages, it is not an open-air museum, but a genuine rural community. The scenery changes with the seasons, featuring rice paddies, mountains, and fields of flowers.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Kita, Miyama, Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture
Miyama Kayabuki no Sato
@Peter Head on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
7. Narai-juku (Nagano)
Nicknamed “the wealthiest of the post towns on the Nakasendo," Narai prospered thanks to travelers using this historic route. Its town center stretches for nearly a kilometer and consists of very well-preserved wooden buildings. The old residences now house cafés, craft shops, and small inns, making itone of Japan’s most impressive historic districts.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture
Narai-juku
@Unsplash
8. Uchiko (Ehime)
Once a center for the wax trade, Uchiko features a historic district of beautifully restored merchant houses. The village is also famous for its Uchiko-za Kabuki Theater, which has been hosting performances since 1916. A picturesque stop on a trip to Shikoku Island.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Uchiko, Kita District, Ehime Prefecture
Uchiko
@Uchiko Town Tourism Association
9. Ine (Kyoto)
Unlike the other villages on this list, Ine is a fishing village situated on the Sea of Japan. It is famous for its funaya, traditional stilt houses whose ground floors were used to house boats. More than 200 funaya line the bay! A boat or bike ride is the best way to fully appreciate the surroundings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Ine, Yosa District, Kyoto Prefecture
Ine
@Unsplash
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