Despite their combined population of only 900, the villages of Shunran no Sato drew 11,000 visitors in 2014, attracted by the prospect of experiencing traditional Japanese life from locals only too happy to share.
The city of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture is maintaining its path of developmental growth even as it attracts crowds of visitors from other parts of Japan and abroad.
Locals share secret trails with incredible views of the Japanese countryside!
From the quiet to the space to the cheaper price of pretty much everything—not to mention better air and access to outdoor activities—there are plenty of great reasons to love the countryside!
Can you enunciate all 10 of these commonly mispronounced words?
Most of the subjects of this story didn't see themselves where they are now—but all of them found something incredible in the Japanese countryside, leading each to develop a unique and indelible bond to the local community.
Look out Shirakawa-go and Gokayama! There's a new village that has thatched-roof farmhouses that are only a day trip from Tokyo!
Publisher Takarajimasha addresses this question in a survey that shows some shocking results. Who knew the top four spots would all be on the same island?
