Japanese castle town walk, very slow, very nostalgic

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🤗 01 Echizen Ono Castle Town Fukui Prefecture

Access: 10 min. walk from Ono Station on the Koshimikita Line

In Fukui Prefecture, Japan, there is a dreamy and ethereal “city in the sky”, have you ever heard of it? This is the famous Echizen Ono Castle, which is located on Kameyama Mountain, about 249 meters above sea level, in the northwest of Ono City, Fukui Prefecture, and is often covered by a sea of clouds, which gives it its name because of its beautiful scenery. The history of the castle goes back more than 400 years, and it took about four years for Oda Nobunaga's retainer, Kanamori Nagako, to complete the construction of the castle, and the town of Ono Castle was built and developed, and it gradually gained the reputation of “Little Kyoto in Hokuriku”.

Today, Ono Jokushimachi has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Strolling through the quaint and elegant marketplace is like dreaming back to the Edo period, and it is interesting to come across one or two historical relics from time to time. Teramachi-dori is an old-fashioned town where temples from medieval to modern Japan are arranged in an orderly fashion, and it is worthwhile to stop and admire the historical sites, statues and other valuable cultural assets.

Other places worth exploring include the Old Hashimoto Family Residence, a unique building from the mid-Edo period that is listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the Takeya Yashiki Old Uchiyama House, a beautiful Japanese garden where you can enjoy the beauty of the garden and take a break with a cup of tea. There are also ancient temples such as Kurotani Kannon and Hokenji Temple, which are quiet and Zen-like, and you can also take a side trip.

🤗 02 Inuyama Castle Town Aichi Prefecture

Access: 10-minute walk from the West Exit of Meitetsu Inuyama Station

When it comes to Japan's famous castles, such as Himeji Castle, Osaka Castle, Kumamoto Castle and so on, we may not be unfamiliar with them. However, Inuyama Castle is a bit different - its castle tower has been designated as a national treasure of Japan, one of only five national treasures in Japan; and until 2004, it was the only privately owned castle tower in Japan, which is very special. Inuyama Castle has a long history, said to have been built in 1537 by Oda Nobunaga's uncle, and its castle town grew and prospered rapidly after the Edo period.

Inuyama Castle extends southward to Inuyama Castle Town, which has been untouched by war and still maintains the castle structure of the past, so you can feel the rich historical charm as you stroll through it. Many interesting cafes and general stores have opened up in the old buildings in this area, making it a good place to walk and shop, and if you are tired, you can sit down and have a cup of coffee at any time and feel the peace and relaxation of an old small town.

The area is also famous for its handmade gohei pancakes and glutinous rice balls, which are delicately shaped and delicious, so be sure to try them. If you come to Inuyama Castle Town in spring, you can also enjoy the Inuyama Festival, which is a thrilling parade of thirteen luxurious mountain coaches and has a history of over 300 years, and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

🤗 03 Sahara Chiba Prefecture

Transportation: 10-minute walk from JR Narita Line Sahara Station

There's a beautiful water town tucked away near Tokyo's Narita Airport? --Sahara, a 30-minute train ride from Narita Station, is located in Katori City in the northeastern part of Chiba Prefecture, and is a beautiful small town with a rich water town atmosphere. It is also known as “Little Edo” for its slow pace and nostalgic atmosphere.

Sahara has been bustling since the Edo period, when it flourished as a center for rice transportation and was known as a shipping town. The Tone River was the main transportation route at that time, and around the Ono River, which served as a diversion, stores and inns lined the area, providing a rich atmosphere of life and a glimpse of the marketplace of the Edo period, and in 1996, Sahara was designated as a nationally important area for the preservation of traditional architectural buildings in Japan.

The most popular area is the water town area, where the ancient mansions and the canals and bridges contrast with each other, creating a picture of quiet beauty and idleness. From time to time, there is a small boat that leisurely paddles across the river, and the beauty of the water town is mesmerizing. The Sahara Aquatic Botanical Garden is another famous place, where 1.5 million irises of more than 400 species are planted, which are fresh and elegant, and bloom in June, while water lilies can be enjoyed in July and August. In July and August, you can enjoy the water lilies. The Sahara Grand Festival is held in July and October every year, and it is a spectacular event that will blow your mind. In short, there is so much beauty in this town that is worth discovering and enjoying.

🤗 04 Ikaho Gunma Prefecture

Transportation: 30 minutes from Shibukawa Station by Kan-Etsu Kotsu Bus bound for Ikaho Onsen.

Or 70 minutes from JR Takasaki Station by Gunma Bus bound for Ikaho Onsen.

A quiet and peaceful town of Ikaho Onsen, located at the northeastern foot of Mt. Haruna in Gunma Prefecture, is lined with 300 meters of rustic stone steps and lined with traditional Japanese-style stores and inns. There are 365 steps here, and at the top of the steps is Ikaho Shrine, which offers a great view.

Ikaho has a long history, dating back to around 759 AD, and is mentioned in the Manabu Shoki, Japan's oldest surviving collection of poems. Ishidan Street, on the other hand, was built in the late 16th century by Masayuki Sanada, a famous Japanese military man, to serve as a hot spring retreat for soldiers. Walking around the area today, you can still feel the rich Edo heritage.

Nowadays, Ikaho has become a famous hot spring resort in Kanto, and the most interesting thing about it is that there are two different types of hot spring water here: the “Gold Soup” and the “Silver Soup”, which are reddish-brown and milky-white respectively due to their mineral content, so why not stay at an inn and soak yourself? You may want to stay at an onsen inn and enjoy the hot spring water. Mount Haruna, which is the prototype of Mount Akina in the famous Japanese manga “Initial D,” is also worth a visit for its beautiful scenery and fresh air, including Haruna Fuji and Lake Haruna.

🤗 05 Makabe Ibaraki

Transportation: 25 minutes by bus from Iwase Station on the JR Mito Line to Shimosu Station.

This small, quiet and relaxing town is like traveling back to the Edo period in Japan, and the old streets have a relaxed atmosphere, making it ideal for a pleasant walk. Makabe, Sakuragawa City, Ibaraki Prefecture, has a long history dating back about 400 years. Makabe has a long history, dating back about 400 years. The town planning of the Makabe area began in the Makabe clan era at the end of the Warring States period and was completed in the Asano clan era at the beginning of the Edo period. It is remarkable that the Makabe area today still maintains the original layout and has preserved an amazing number of historical buildings, estimated to be more than 300.

In 2010, the Makabe area was listed as a nationally important traditional building group preservation area in Japan, the first time in Ibaraki Prefecture. Nowadays, the area is characterized by a gentle pace and relaxed atmosphere, and traditional festivals are held throughout the year, such as the Makabe Daughter's Festival in February, the Makabe Shinobu Matsuri in April, and the Makabe Gion Matsuri in late July, all of which attract people to come and watch. Why don't you take a walk around the town and enjoy the peace and quiet of small town life?

🤗 06 Kiryu Gunma

Transportation: Take Tobu Railway and get off at Shin-Kiryu Station, or take JR and get off at Kiryu Station.

Kiryu, a small town located in the southeastern part of Gunma Prefecture, has a retro atmosphere and healing vibe, so why not take a slow trip here? Kiryu is said to have flourished as a producer of silk fabrics, and it is said that fabric production began in the Nara period and flourished even more in the Edo period, rivaling Nishijin textiles in Kyoto and earning it the reputation of being “the Nishijin of the West, the Kiryu of the East.

Today, the town retains its rich historical flavor, and part of the area has been designated as a Nationally Important Traditional Building Complex Preservation Area in Japan. The whole city has a calm and rustic atmosphere, and the streets are clean and tidy, making it a good place to walk around, enjoy the scenery, and visit historical sites related to fabric production to learn more about the past and present of this wonderful little town.

Don't forget to do one thing when you come to Kiryu - be sure to try Gunma's famous Belt Udon, a special kind of wide noodle that can be up to 10 centimeters wide, and Kiryu's Belt Udon is one of the most famous in Gunma.

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The quiet beauty of autumn has quietly arrived.

It's a beautiful autumn day to be cherished.

Stroll through these castle towns, Koedo.

In a quiet and nostalgic atmosphere.

Slow down your pace and relax your body and mind.