Making use of Chichibu’s historical shops and houses, NIPPONIA Chichibu Shrine Town helps preserve the town’s cultural heritage while supporting responsible tourism to the area through partnerships with local businesses. Saitama’s Chichibu is nestled in a basin dotted with dozens of historical shrines, a world of serene beauty just outside Tokyo’s doorstep. The city was also home to a thriving silk textile industry in the days when wearing kimono was more common than Western-style clothing.

The only wooden double-helix styled building in Japan, this mysterious temple located in Aizuwakamatsu must be experienced to be believed. Located partially up the slopes of Mt. Iimoriyama, the site of the tragic end of the 19 samurai boys of the Byakkotai during the Boshin War, Sazaedo Temple is a curious architectural anomaly that has fascinated visitors from around the world.

Step into the world of the samurai at Aizu Samurai School Nisshinkan, the training place of Fukushima’s ancient warriors. Located in Aizuwakamatsu, a historic castle town, this faithfully reconstructed school invites visitors to experience authentic samurai training, from martial arts to traditional cultural practices.

Hidden on the historic streets of Nagareyama in Chiba, the Nagareyama Kaleidoscope Gallery & Museum offers visitors the chance to experience the unique and immersive world of kaleidoscopic art. The museum is located in a preserved storehouse that was built in 1889 and was once owned by the Terada family, one of the six pioneering families in the area. This is the only original storehouse remaining on the street, with its black plaster finish adding a touch of historical charm to the neighborhood gallery.

With its 280-year-old history of making tatami mats, Kuboki Tatami is helping this traditional craft win new fans at its innovative facility in Fukushima.

Abt Road in Annaka, Gunma Prefecture, is a world away from high-speed bullet trains, timely commuter rails and subway systems. The 11.2-kilometer portion of railway on the Usui Main Line between Yokokawa and Karuizawa stations had been active for 104 years until it finally closed on September 30, 1997. The Usui Main Line and others like it connected Gunma, Nagano, and Niigata prefectures to Tokyo, paving the way for travel today. The Usui Line has since opened to visitors in the form of Abt Road, which welcomes hikers, adventurers and history enthusiasts from far and wide to enjoy the historic railway and make new kinds of memories on these tracks.

Experience the fusion of architecture, art, and culinary excellence at SHIROIYA HOTEL. This creative retreat in Maebashi invites travelers to immerse themselves in a space that celebrates culture and innovation. ©Photo by Shinya Kigure

Discover a space dedicated to fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and meaningful connections. ARTS MAEBASHI is a museum that functions as a cultural hub; a place where art enriches lives and shapes the local community.

Explore a collection of preserved houses, shops, and public buildings that trace the evolution of Tokyo’s architecture and daily life from the Edo to the Showa period.

This stunning building preserves three eras of Japan’s history and serves the unique cuisine of this samurai castle town from days long past. Immerse yourself in Aizu-Wakamatsu’s cultural history at this nostalgic restaurant.

Step into a retreat where time slows down and every moment invites introspection. At ZEN & BED Bogetsu-An, guests experience traditional Zen practices that refresh both mind and body.

Discover the artistry of Japanese crafts at Chichibu Orijuku Koubou Yokoyama, where over a century of dyeing and weaving heritage comes to life. Located in the Chichibu area of Saitama Prefecture, this workshop offers visitors an immersive experience in traditional techniques with more than 100 years of history, including Chichibu Meisen, Nagatoro indigo dyeing, and plant dyeing. Suitable for both experienced artists and curious beginners, it’s an inviting space to challenge your own creativity while embracing Japan’s rich textile traditions.

Saitama Prefecture’s Oshi Castle is the ideal spot to revel in Japan’s fascinating history. Located in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, Oshi Castle is a historic landmark that offers visitors a unique opportunity to step into the world of the samurai.

Minka-en preserves the history and culture of Fukushima through its collection of rare buildings, furniture, and tools relocated here from other parts of the prefecture.

Experience Japan’s quiet countryside from the comfort of a fully renovated kominka in Chiba.

Located in Tokamachi City in Niigata Prefecture, known as the "town of kimono,” Kimono no Aoyagi has been preserving and innovating traditional kimono-making techniques since 1938. This historic workshop offers a unique opportunity to witness every stage of kimono creation all under one roof.

In the modern world of perfectly controlled sake brewing, Tsuchida Sake Brewery aims to reintroduce traditional variables to create unique and complex flavors with sake brewing methods of the past.

Once a retreat for the lords of Aizu, this postcard-perfect ryokan offers the warm hospitality of Aizu culture even in the snows of winter.