Ever since the Edo Period, there’ve been three cities widely regarded as the most important in Japan: Tokyo (Edo), Osaka, and Kyoto. These were, respectively, the political, commercial and cultural capitals of the nation. To use a bodily analogy, these were the mind, body and heart of Japan. Much has been said about these cities, but today, in partnership with Jetpac eSIM, we want to explore something different. We want to tell you about the soul of Japan. Highlight those not-often mentioned, but ever-present places that have retained their authenticity amidst the rise of mass tourism. Places that reflect the nation’s history, making them ideal for travellers eager for knowledge and adventure. We want, in short, to tell you about some hidden, beautiful and enchanting Japanese Villages.
In the following article, we’ll explore a selection of ten Japanese villages we consider particularly fascinating. Do keep in mind, dear readers, that this is just a small selection, and we hope that, after you visit them, you return looking for more. Because yes, we want you to visit these Japanese villages, as just learning about them won’t capture their special magic. For that reason, the entries in this article aim to ignite the traveller in you. Each one is a glimpse into a fascinating world awaiting your arrival. So, join us as we dive into these intriguing and captivating places.
The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan
But before we begin, it’s worth mentioning a remarkable initiative that aligns with our journey: The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan. Inspired by a similar movement in France, this official association was established in 2005 to protect and celebrate rural communities rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Villages must meet strict criteria to be considered, including the presence of traditional architecture, scenic landscapes, and efforts towards preservation and sustainability.
There are now dozens of these designated villages across Japan, from the snowy hamlets of Hokkaido to the thatched-roof farmhouses of Gifu, each recognised for embodying the timeless charm and authenticity that modern tourism often overlooks. Each one is a living, breathing expression of local heritage. In many ways, they serve as anchors to Japan’s soul, preserving customs, craftsmanship, and community in ways cities can no longer manage.
So, as we share our selection of ten fascinating villages, you may spot some of these officially designated places among them, and others that, while not formally recognised, resonate just as deeply with the spirit of rural Japan.
Shirakawa-Go & Gokayama
Image credit: Unsplash
Starting this list with a double entry, Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama are two of the most interesting villages in all of Japan. What sets them apart, and the reason they’re often paired together, is their immaculately preserved Gasshō-zukuri architecture. These steep, thatched farmhouses were built by farming families from the Edo Period onwards, and their roomy attics were used for work such as rearing silkworms. Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama are, therefore, time capsules of Japan’s rural past. For this reason, UNESCO recognised them as a World Heritage Site in 1995.
You might expect old farmhouses to hold purely historical appeal, yet Gasshō-zukuri architecture was specifically designed for life in the countryside, being both practical and aesthetically pleasing. The name derives from their roughly 60-degree roofs, which are said to resemble two hands in prayer. These roofs, additionally, make the houses perfectly suited for the countryside weather, especially heavy snowfall, which easily slides off them. Furthermore, the houses are spacious and functional, rising two to three storeys, and able to keep the whole family warm.
However, you shouldn’t just take our word for it, as there are many houses open to the public for you to visit. In Shirakawa-Go you have both the Wada and Nagase houses at your disposal; and in Gokayama the houses Murakami, Haba, and Iwase are a must-visit. So, let yourself be transported to the Edo period and visit these enchanting villages.
How to get to Shirakawa-Go & Gokayama
Image credit: Shino Nakamura
The best connected major cities to Shirakawa-Go & Gokayama are Takayama and Takaoka respectively. From there, you can take a 50-minute direct bus from Takayama Station to Shirakawa-Go; or an 80-minute bus (with multiple stops) from Takaoka Station to Ainokura in Gokayama. We’d personally recommend starting from Takaoka for this trip, as the same bus carries on to Shirakawa-Go, so you can see both. The trip, however, is significantly longer this way, taking close to 130 minutes. The bus in question is the World Heritage Bus run by Kaetsuno Bus. Since November 2025, some of its seats can be reserved in advance, which is worth doing given the popularity of the route.
Beyond this, Kanazawa and Nagoya are also very well-connected to Shirakawa-Go, offering direct buses. From Kanazawa, there are the Nohi and Hokutetsu buses, which take about 90 minutes to make the journey. From Nagoya, you have the Gifu Buses, which take close to 3 hours to arrive at Shirakawa-Go. For these options, we would also encourage you to book tickets in advance.
Yoshino
Spiritually important and aesthetically gorgeous, Yoshino is a Japanese village whose name you won’t forget from now on. The town itself is famous across Japan, as it’s arguably the best sakura cherry blossom spot in the whole nation. Mount Yoshino, Yoshino’s most famous attraction, features around 30,000 cherry trees of some 200 varieties, making the environment colourful and vibrant during the spring. Most of them are shiro-yamazakura, a wild mountain cherry with blossom so pale it looks almost white, which gives the hillsides a calm and spiritual feel. The trees are spread across four areas, Shimo Senbon, Naka Senbon, Kami Senbon and Oku Senbon, which bloom one after another from the foot of the mountain to the top through April. Kami Senbon, the upper area, is home to Yoshino Mikumari Shrine and the Hanayagura viewpoint, one of the best-known spots for looking out over the blossom.
The spiritual aspect here is no hyperbole, as even when there aren’t any cherry trees blossoming, the town maintains it. Case in point, Shugendo practitioners, who come during the summer to strengthen their endurance and mental resilience on the path to enlightenment. Yoshino is home to Kinpusen-ji, one of the great temples of Shugendo, and from here practitioners set out along the Omine Okugakemichi, a demanding mountain route over Mount Omine towards Kumano. It’s an arduous trial you could take on yourself, though the summit area of Mount Omine (Sanjogatake) is still closed to women. As a side note, the Okugakemichi belongs to the same UNESCO-listed network of Kii mountain pilgrimage routes as the Kumano Kodo, a pilgrimage trail more than 1,000 years old, to which we have dedicated an entire article.
With its great accommodation featuring hot springs, and some enchanting man-made gardens, including some by historical tea-master Sen no Rikyū, Yoshino is a sight to behold. Whether it’s winter, summer, autumn or spring, your journey to Yoshino is bound to be beautiful.
How to get to Yoshino
Due to its popularity as a cherry blossom spot, Yoshino is well-connected via train to three major cities: Nara, Kyoto and Osaka. For all of these cities, you have either Kintetsu Railways or JR West as an option. The first one, Kintetsu, is definitely the more convenient option, as it offers direct transportation to Yoshino Station. Japan Railways, on the other hand, goes up to Yoshino-guchi Station, and eventually requires transferring to a Kintetsu train. This being said, Japan Railways may be convenient for Japan Rail Pass users, who can save money on the trip up to Yoshino-guchi Station.
As for the cities themselves, despite Yoshino being in the Nara prefecture, Osaka is considered the best connected city. From Osaka Abenobashi Station, you can take a Kintetsu train directly to Yoshino, and arrive in 90 minutes with no transfers. From the Kyoto Station, a Kintetsu train will get you to Yoshino in about two hours, with only one transfer at Kashiharajingu-mae Station. Finally, a train from the Kintetsu Nara Station will get you to Yoshino in 95 minutes with two transfers, at Yamato-Saidaiji and Kashiharajingu-mae Stations. For these transfers, we recommend you stay vigilant, and our partner Jetpac eSIM can help you with that. With their reliable internet access, you can easily keep track of the stations and guarantee you won’t get lost in the journey.
Tochigi
For those familiar with Japan’s prefectures, it might be surprising to see Tochigi on this list. After all, Tochigi is a prefecture relatively close to Tokyo, and Tochigi should, therefore, be considered a city, not a village. Let me begin by saying you’re absolutely correct. Tochigi is a city, not the capital of the prefecture (that title goes to Utsunomiya), but it’s a big city nonetheless. However, Tochigi is, first and foremost, an agricultural settlement, and, as such, is surrounded by a myriad of beautiful villages dedicated to agriculture.
As a matter of fact, one of Tochigi’s most interesting activities is not only visiting these villages, but partaking in their activities. I must now mention that Tochigi is famous for its strawberries, as their farmers have devoted their life to perfecting them. The Tochigi born Tochiotome strawberry or the luxuriously sweet Sky Berry are but a few examples. The best way to enjoy these strawberries is by picking them yourself at strawberry farms, as most of them offer all-you-can-eat picking with a time limit. And these are, of course, located in the villages that surround the city.
Strawberry picking is, nonetheless, only one of the activities you’ll be able to find in the beautiful Japanese villages of Tochigi. You can eat the freshly cultivated fruits and vegetables, enjoy the hospitality of the locals, and admire the magnificently preserved natural landscape. A whole new world of flavours and views await you there.
How to get to Tochigi
As stated before, the Tochigi prefecture is relatively close to Tokyo, which means it is also easily accessible from there. For Tochigi City specifically, a Tobu Railway limited express on the Tobu Nikko Line runs from Asakusa to Tochigi Station in about 70 minutes. From Shinjuku, you can take the JR Chuo Line to Tokyo Station, ride the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen to Oyama, and change to the JR Ryomo Line for the last ten minutes, which takes about 65 minutes in all.
Utsunomiya, the capital of the prefecture, is also on the Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) line, so if you’re already travelling around Japan, you can reach Tochigi from there by changing at Oyama onto the Ryomo Line.
Biei
Biei is one of Hokkaido’s flagship locations, to the point if you search “visit Hokkaido” in Google Images, pictures of this beautiful village will show up. The main draw of Biei is the picturesque aesthetic they bring to the natural flora of the region. Their famous floral patchworks have a mosaic feel to them, making them feel like the ultimate collaboration between man and mother nature. Lavender, sunflowers, purple salvia, and more contribute with their colours in order to achieve a harmonic balance that is aesthetically breathtaking. Not to mention, it smells amazing too. You can stroll through some of these floral patchworks, but please always ask the farmers for permission first.
The floral patchworks are, however, not even the most visited attraction of Biei, as this Japanese village is full of surprises. The honour actually goes to the famous Blue Pond, an accidental man-made creation that resulted in a glimpse of paradise. The pond formed behind one of the erosion control dams built on the Biei River to hold back mudflows from Mount Tokachi, an active volcano. Water from the area around another famous Biei destination, Shirahige Falls, flows into it, carrying aluminium that scatters sunlight. The result? The water has an astounding colour that changes depending on the seasons and weather. From blue, to emerald, to turquoise, the colours of this pond have captivated the nation and the world at large. Case in point, it became an Apple Macintosh desktop wallpaper, so you probably have seen it too.
Biei is, in short, a Japanese village with stories to tell and beautiful spots to show for it. You’ll be in for an adventure like no other, accompanied by a scenery that will forever remain in your mind.
How to get to Biei
As a notable Hokkaido destination, Biei is accessible from both Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s second largest city, and Furano. Unfortunately, Biei isn’t directly connected to the capital, Sapporo, though Asahikawa can be easily accessed by train from there. While I’m on topic, I’ll add that Biei can be reached by car, bus, or taxi, from the two aforementioned cities. This being said, trains are by far the most convenient method, due to their speed and connectivity.
From both Asahikawa and Furano, it is around a 40-minute train ride to arrive at Biei. As a matter of fact, the JR Furano Line, built to connect these two cities, has Biei in the middle. For that very reason, you’ll need to take the same train to reach Biei from either location, though they’ll be going in different directions. The train in question is from JR Hokkaido (Hokkaido railway company), and can be boarded at either Furano Station or Asahikawa Station. Once in Biei, Dohoku Bus services run from JR Biei Station to the Blue Pond in about 20 minutes, and if you drive, parking there costs ¥1,000 per car from 1 July 2026.
Chizu-cho
Perhaps the least touristy of the Japanese villages covered so far, Chizu-cho is a charming gem awaiting your arrival. Located in the Tottori prefecture, this enchanting town was blessed by nature, surrounded by the Chūgoku Mountains and the crystal-clear waters of the Sendai River. Considering nature covers up to 90% of the village, it’s no wonder the locals have come to see it as part of their identity. Furthermore, they have successfully preserved it in a way that remains unique to Chizu.
To start off with the Chugoku Mountains, these are covered with cedar, pine, cherry and bamboo trees. This selection alone would give any garden an immaculate Japanese aesthetic, but finding them all next to a downtown area is something truly remarkable. The farmhouses, cafés, shopping streets and more, are all engulfed in this exquisite dance with Japanese flora. Chizu-cho, in short, feels authentically Japanese in a way it’s almost unbelievable. It’s like the quintessential Japanese village.
As for the Sendai River, its clean, cold water and the cedar forests along it have shaped Chizu-cho’s development. The town has long made its living from forestry, and in the Edo Period it also prospered as a post town, where feudal lords and their retainers rested on their long journeys. The Ishitani Residence, a grand family home with around 40 traditional rooms, several storehouses and a garden designated a Place of Scenic Beauty, shows just how well the town did, and it makes a fine first stop.
How to get to Chizu-cho
The closest major city to Chizu-cho is the capital of the prefecture, Tottori City. From there, your options include train, bus, car and even bicycle if you’re up for a challenge. With a train, it is a 50-minute ride on the Inbi Line, or a 30-minute ride on the Super Hakuto and Super Inaba limited express trains. These trains depart from Tottori Station. For a bus, which also departs from Tottori Station, it’s close to an hour’s ride. Rental cars take approximately 35 minutes, and bicycle rides are close to an hour and a half, depending on your endurance.
Besides Tottori City, Chizu-cho is also connected to Kyoto, Osaka, and Himeji by the Super Hakuto limited express, which runs directly to JR Chizu Station. Additionally, the Super Inaba limited express connects Chizu-cho with Okayama. The time to arrive from these locations varies between cities. From both Himeji and Okayama it is close to one hour; from Osaka it’s approximately 2 hours; and from Kyoto, the furthest of them all, it is two and a half hours. In either case, the transportation requires no transfers and getting to Chizu-cho is a trip worth the journey.
Kamijima
Image credit: Kamijima Info
Going from the floral gem that was Chizu-cho, we travel to the ocean pearl that is the town of Kamijima. Located in Ehime Prefecture, in the Seto Inland Sea between Onomichi in Hiroshima and Imabari on Shikoku, Kamijima is an archipelago composed of 25 different little islands. As you would expect from any paradise near the ocean, Kamijima is full of breathtaking beaches and a lively coastal lifestyle. However, and perhaps most importantly, it adds a unique Japanese touch into the mix. Nowhere is this clearer than on Iwagi island, where Mount Sekizen lets more than 3,000 cherry trees bloom by the sea. The spectacle is so fascinating, in fact, the residents of the island come together to celebrate a festival around it: the Sakura Matsuri.
Beyond this, Kamijima is a Japanese village where taking your time and finding your rhythm is encouraged. Travelling from island to island, for example, can be done by car or boat: the four main islands, Yuge, Sashima, Ikina and Iwagi, are linked by the bridges of the Yumeshima Kaido, and ferries reach the rest. Add to this that there are no traffic lights in sight, and you can take things as calmly or as fast as you want. Do you want to see everything this village has to offer in a short amount of time? Or would you rather let the ocean breeze guide you through it? The decision is up to you.
We must also mention that Kamijima’s unique disposition makes it ideal for the more sporty type of travellers. You can choose to bike around the islands, hike their wild mountains like Mount Kushi or Mount Ikima, or jog around from coast to coast. Whether it’s the calm ocean scenery or the outdoors adventures, Kamijima is ready to let you in.
How to get to Kamijima
As an archipelago, the best and easiest way to get to Kamijima is to take a ferry, particularly one from the Mihara Port. Mihara, the city, is located in the Hiroshima prefecture, which makes Hiroshima the closest major city. However, Mihara is connected to the Sanyo Shinkansen line, making it easily accessible from Osaka, Himeji or Okayama with a Kodama train. In any case, you’ll first need to arrive at Mihara Station, and then walk five minutes to the Mihara Port. Once there, you’ll need to take one of the hourly ferries to Kamijima, which takes approximately 40 minutes to arrive. Afterwards, you’ll be free to explore.
As for other options, Habu Port on Innoshima island is one of the main gateways to Kamijima, with several ferry routes. You can drive to Innoshima along the Shimanami Kaido Expressway, which makes Habu Port the better choice if you’re using a rental car. The high-speed boats from Mihara carry passengers and bicycles, while the car ferries let you take your vehicle across and drive between the bridged islands.
Ochiai
Similarly to Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama, the Ochiai village dates back to the Edo period and has maintained its essence ever since. However, Ochiai has several unique features that set it apart from other Japanese villages. First is the architecture, which consists mostly of traditional thatched-roof houses, providing visitors with a glimpse into a different era of Japanese history. Secondly, there’s the houses’ arrangement, all built on a steep mountain slope. From the highest to the lowest point in the village, the elevation change is approximately 390 metres, making Ochiai a steep hillside covered with houses. The result of this is a captivating town that invites you to climb through its streets and learn its history. For this reason, it was designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2005.
As you make your ascent from the lowest to the highest point in Ochiai, your imagination will be prompted by questions and answers. Where am I? In Ochiai, the heart of the Iya Valley. What’s the Iya Valley? A natural sanctuary, surrounded by mountains and rivers, where defeated warriors of old found refuge. Which warriors? The Heike (Taira) clan was said to live here after they lost the Genpei War. Is it true? Who knows, it is a folk legend. Eventually, you’ll meet the locals, and they’ll open up to you in a warm way. Then you’ll think, maybe, just maybe, there is some truth to the folk legends, as any fleeing samurai would feel lucky to find a refuge in Ochiai.
How to get to Ochiai
There’s a reason a legend exists about the Heike clan finding refuge in Ochiai, as the Iya Valley is, historically speaking, one of the most remote places in Japan. Thanks to the Shikoku mountains that surround it, many historical roads were cut off from it, making it an ideal place to hide. Although the Iya Valley is now recognised as a fantastic destination due to its pristine natural scenery, and has thus become easily accessible, Ochiai still takes a little more effort to reach.
Ochiai is easiest to reach by car, though there is a bus: Shikoku Kotsu buses bound for Kubo run from JR Oboke Station and stop at Ochiai-bashi, at the foot of the village. If you’re driving, since there are no major car rentals in the Iya Valley, you’ll need to pick one up in Miyoshi City, home to JR Awa-Ikeda Station and the closest urban centre. From the Ikawa-Ikeda Interchange, follow National Route 32 towards Kochi, then Prefectural Roads 45 and 32, and finally National Route 439 towards Mount Tsurugi. The drive takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, and there is no car park in the village itself. The journey can be quite a hassle, but reaching the mesmerising Ochiai village is worth it.
Wazuka
After such a complicated journey to Ochiai, it is only natural to look for a place that’s equally charming but with easier access. Enter Wazuka, the hidden treasure of Kyoto. Wazuka is a village that made a name for itself thanks to one thing: green tea. And, since Matcha is a product derived from green tea, Wazuka matcha is also famous worldwide. Sprawling green tea fields and matcha farms cover this land, giving it a green and picturesque atmosphere. As a matter of fact, one of the names usually used to describe Wazuka is the “hometown of green tea.”
The relationship between Wazuka and green tea goes back at least 800 years, where it was designated for tea production during the Kamakura period. From there on out, Wazuka has been at the forefront of Tea production, being one of the most important producers in the country. Today, Wazuka is the main growing area for Uji-cha, the tea most closely associated with Kyoto, and produces about 40% of the prefecture’s Uji tea. The town is also home to the Obubu Tea Farm, run by local tea farmers and well known for welcoming international visitors.
Whether it is with Matcha, Sencha or Gyokuro tea, Wazuka remains one of the best places to try exquisite Japanese flavours. You can, of course, join the many tea aficionados that have been amazed by Wazuka by going on a tea tour (or an Uji matcha tour). In Wazuka you’ll find many local itineraries for these, but perhaps the best is the Obubu Tea Farm guided tour. It’s particularly well suited for international travellers: it runs in English with bilingual staff, and takes in the mountain tea fields, a sencha factory, a tasting of nine teas and a lunch cooked by the farmers. The tour runs from 11am to 3pm, costs ¥19,800 to ¥27,500 per person depending on when you book, and needs booking at least a week in advance. Definitely an experience you don’t want to miss.
How to get to Wazuka
Image credit: Bret Lama
Despite being part of the Kyoto prefecture, Wazuka is located at the edge of it, making Nara the closest major city. From both Kyoto and Nara, a train and a bus ride are necessary. For the train ride, you’ll need to get off at Kamo Station on the JR Kansai Main Line. From Nara, Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line) trains run straight through Kizu to Kamo. From Kyoto, take the JR Nara Line to Kizu Station, which can take up to 50 minutes, and change there for the easy five-minute ride on to Kamo.
Once in Kamo, you’ll need to take bus 66 Nara Kotsu to Wazuka, which takes close to 10 minutes. If it’s not the smell, the beautiful green scenery will let you know you arrived at your destination. We must now mention the bus has an hourly frequency, so if you’re not prepared you’ll be waiting for a while. Once again, we recommend using our partner Jetpac eSIM to keep track of the schedules and not lose time on inconveniences.
Nagiso
Image credit: Nagiso Tourism Association
For most of its history, Nagiso has been a place travellers passed through on their way somewhere else, so now we’re giving it the spotlight it deserves. During the Edo Period, the commercial route of Nakasendō was built to connect Kyoto and Edo, and several villages developed around it. Key to these villages was Tsumago, part of the old village of Azuma, which merged with the neighbouring villages of Yomikaki and Tadachi in 1961, giving birth to the town of Nagiso. The result of this was a group of feudal villages with a contemporary, community focused Japanese mentality. A proud people with a clear identity, united under a common appreciation for their history and wilderness. This is perhaps best shown in the Rekishi Shiryokan, a museum dedicated precisely to Nagiso’s special place in Japanese history and nature.
Needless to say, Nagiso is perfectly preserved, with buildings and roads that will immediately transport you to the Edo Period. As a matter of fact, Nagiso residents are keen on maintaining the feudal allure of the area, not allowing cars on the main road and hiding telephone lines. They simply value their traditions more than they do technological conveniences. And, with such a beautiful village to show for it, it’s easy to see why.
Regarding their wilderness, Nagiso sits in the heart of the Kiso Valley, with forest covering about 94% of the town. Beyond the beautiful forest and lush fields, there are some truly astounding natural beauties. Case in point, the Kiso River, which flows right through the middle of Nagiso. Further downstream, near Inuyama in Aichi, a stretch of the same river is nicknamed the “Japan Rhine” for its resemblance to the famous European river. And this is just one example, as there are still many natural wonders awaiting your arrival in Nagiso.
How to get to Nagiso
The closest major city to Nagiso is Nagoya, which is directly connected to the town by the JR Limited Express Shinano. This train runs between Nagoya Station and Nagano Station. The ride takes approximately one hour to get to Nagiso Station, and the trains depart hourly from the Nagoya Station. As a side note, not all JR limited express trains stop at Nagiso Station, so keep that in mind when boarding a train.
Besides this, travelling by car is also an option, as Nagiso is connected to Nagoya through Japan National Route 19. This trip would take approximately one hour and a half.
Umaji
Image Credit: Photo: Saigen Jiro, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Finally, the last entry on our list is Umaji, an endearing Japanese village that’s a point of pride for the Kōchi prefecture. Similarly to Chizu-cho, Umaji is a village surrounded by wilderness, with almost 96% of its area being covered in forest. Additionally, mountains and rivers can be found all across the area, with notable standouts being the Yasuda River, Mount Eboshi and Mount Jinkichimori. However, the most fascinating thing about Umaji is that they approach nature with an almost childlike wonder. The village’s stores, old railways, roads and cable cars give Umaji a fantasy feel to it. It’s straight out of a children’s book, a musical, or any setting specifically designed to make your imagination fly. Nature flows, quite literally, through the town as if it has always been there.
But enough with my poetic descriptions, what really sets Umaji apart? Well, first of all, Yuzu, a special citric fruit that grows in the Kōchi prefecture. Yuzu is a citrus fruit similar to a hybrid of lemon and tangerine, and it’s used in many Japanese juices, dressings, sauces and even liquors. Umaji, in particular, is one of the biggest Yuzu harvesters, despite having a population of only around 700 people. That in itself would be remarkable, but Umaji also specialises in processing it. The Yuzu no Mori Factory, one of Umaji’s best attractions, offers travellers a glimpse into Yuzu’s true potential. Here, you can not only see how they process it, but also have a taste of it in a delicious drink or as an addition to a homemade meal. Add to this the charm mentioned before, and Umaji remains a lovely and sweet town worth your time.
How to get to Umaji
Because of Umaji’s unique location, surrounded by mountains and rivers, transportation options are limited. The most convenient option here is to take a car ride from Kōchi City, as it’s the closest major city and your ideal starting point. From here, you can take the Japan national route 55 to Yasuda town, and then switch to Prefectural Road 12 to reach Umaji. The drive takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Without a car, the journey is a train and bus combination. From JR Kōchi Station, take the JR Dosan Line to Gomen Station (about 15 minutes), then the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Gomen-Nahari Line to Aki Station (about 40 minutes). From Aki Station, the Kochi Tobu Kotsu bus reaches Umaji in about an hour. You can find the timetables on the official Umaji village access page.
From Shirakawa-go to Umaji: Choosing Your Japanese Village
And thus we reach the end of this article. We hope, dear reader, that this selection of towns serves as a reminder of our ultimate goal: celebrate Japanese culture and share it with you. All of the Japanese villages featured hold a special place in our hearts, as little pockets of culture that remained authentic despite mass tourism. Whether it is the almost whimsical Umaji, the beautifully preserved Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama, or the naturally gorgeous Yoshino and Kamijima, there is something worth exploring here. After you visit them all, because once you visit one, you’ll want to see the rest, we’ll be more than happy to give you more recommendations.
Finally, when you embark on this amazing journey, be sure to do it with Jetpac eSIM. With their reliable and fantastic travel data, you’ll be able to explore these villages and discover more along the way. From travellers, for travellers, Jetpac eSIM offers the best service for exploring the unique aspects of Japanese villages and cities alike.
