Travel Experiences
in Central Japan

Located upstream of the Nagara River, Gujo Hachiman is known for its clear water and water channels that run throughout the town. Their historical summer festival features the Gujo Odori dance, one of Japan's top three "bon-odori" summer dances.
High up on Mount Hachiman, rising to the northeast of downtown Gujo Hachiman, stands Gujo Hachiman Castle which overlooks the town and surrounding mountains. From early to mid-November, the area around the castle turns bright red with autumn leaves.
In the town, you will find rows of old houses and waterways running past the eaves of the houses as you walk along the streets of the craftsman and blacksmith districts. Stumble upon Watanabe Somemono Dyehouse, which continues a revered 430-year-old tradition of producing natural indigo dyed fabrics. These use traditional techniques that date back to the Edo period (1603-1868), making for a product that can be cherished and last a long time.
The houses in Yanagimachi, with their distinctive sleeve walls that extend out to partition neighboring houses, retain the atmosphere of a traditional samurai town. Visitors can experience a townscape and lifestyle that has not changed since the Edo period (1603-1868) — for those considering a stay, you can find 'kominka' (traditional Japanese houses) available to rent or stay overnight.

Japan is renowned for its preserved traditions and heritage and is home to a variety of ancient crafts and techniques. One such craft, located in Aichi Prefecture's town of Arimatsu, is Arimatsu-Narumi Shibori tie-dyeing, which is said to date back to the 1600s.
Arimatsu Shibori's beauty is characterized by its exquisite patterns and unique texture, which craftsmen have perfected for generations. Due to the handmade nature of the craft, there are subtle differences in the amount of force used by the shibori artist and the dyeing process, making no two pieces the same.
This traditional tie-dyeing technique takes time and effort and is renowned for its beautiful, yet complex patterns. Due to Arimatsu's position on the Old Tokaido Route, many warriors, merchants, pilgrims, and townspeople would visit the village to purchase dyed fabrics for gifts and private use. The high quality of Arimatsu Shibori became prized throughout the country and grew in prominence thanks to the Owari clan's decision to protect the industry. This traditional national craft continues to this day and is used for kimono and other items including noren (Japanese curtains).
Arimatsu, located about 20 minutes by train from Meitetsu Nagoya Station, is a hidden gem in the prefecture and features a wealth of mesmerizing historical structures. Recognized as a cultural asset, the 200-year old townscape conveys both the area's prosperous past and the beauty of Japanese architecture. The area is known as Nagoya City's first "Townscape preservation area".
There are museums and shops dedicated to tie-dying and plenty of spots to pick up souvenirs for family and friends. It's a beautiful area in central Japan and one which deserves your attention.

For those of you wishing for a more authentic travel experience and the chance to get away from tourist hotspots, then a rural life experience in Shiga Prefecture is just the ticket.
Make the 30-minute trip from Kyoto to Shiga and you can find Tour du Lac Biwa, a company which provides such experiences around this gorgeous prefecture and home to Japan's largest lake, Biwa.
Led by local guides, visit local tea fields, cycle along the shore of the lake, make local rice cakes with locals, go on a fishing boat cruise and experience what it's really like to live in a stunning rural area of Japan, miles away from the crowded streets of Osaka or Tokyo.
Meeting locals is a high point of this trip. With opportunities that connect you to hospitable residents, immerse yourself in a genuine adventure. Along the "road not taken", create memories that will stay with you.