971 Tour Reviews

Historic Towns and Districts

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Temples

Shrines

Castles

Gardens

Historic Towns and Districts

Sacred and Pilgrimage Sites

Pottery Towns

Museums

Festivals

Manga and Anime

Onsen

Nature

Natural Sceneries

Wildlife

Cherry blossoms

Autumn Leaves

Flowers

Theme Parks

Geisha

Sumo

Ninja

Samurai

Traditional Sports

Traditional Performing Arts

Traditional Culture Experiences

Food

Drinks

Historic Towns and Districts

The historic towns and districts in Japan are areas that have been preserved to maintain the traditional buildings that have survived the many fires, earthquakes, wars, and modernization of the country. These sites are reviewed by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and if the place is qualified then it will be designated a Cultural Property. The preservation of these sites came about during the Meiji Restoration, when at the time the feudal era came to an abrupt end. In 1871, the Meiji Government seized lands and temples that were symbolic of the feudal age. Within the same year the Department of State issued a decree based on the recommendation from universities to protect the antiquities. Then in 1897 the Ancient Temples and Shrines Preservation Law was passed. Ito Chuta, an architect and architectural historian, provided the necessary guidance to formulate the 20 articles to set up the system to preserve the sites. Since then many laws were passed to further preserve anything of historical value both intangible and tangible.

The categories for the historic towns and districts to fall under depend heavily on their focus. There are former samurai and merchant districts that are known for their relation to prior owners of the structures. Post Towns refers to towns built along the former major highways in Japan. A small number of them have been able to maintain their Edo Period appearance, but with modern accommodations. In the Geisha Districts there are still Geisha performing in traditional teahouses, buildings, and restaurants. Other types of towns that have been preserved are pilgrimage, farming, and port towns. Then there is the very unique Ryukyu Village, which was influenced by an independent kingdom until it became part of Okinawa.

Former Samurai Districts in Japan

Former Merchant Districts in Japan

Post Towns in Japan

Former Samurai Districts in Japan

The major cities in Japan usually started out as castle towns that developed over time. Castle towns consisted the residence of the local feudal lord, which was the castle located in the center of the town. Surrounding the castle his retainers, the samurai, lived in homes ready to protect their master. This area was called the bukeyashiki.

Tohoku | Aomori | Hirosaki

Hirosaki Samurai District

The Hirosaki Samurai District consists of four samurai houses that served the Tsugaru Clan long ago during the Edo period.

Kyushu | Oita | Usuki

Usuki Samurai District

A well preserved samurai district with Edo period architecture close to the ruins of Usuki Castle located in Usuki, Oita Prefecture.

Chugoku | Shimane | Matsue

Matsue Samurai District

Historic buildings, former samurai residences, traditional Japanese style tea houses, and more can be found in the Matsue Samurai District.

Tohoku | Akita | Kakunodate

Kakunodate Samurai District

The Kakunodate Samurai District has been around since 1620 when Yoshikatsu Ashina became the lord of the area.

Tohoku | Fukushima | Aizu Wakamatsu

Aizu Bukeyashiki

Aizu Bukeyashiki was a samurai residence that once belonged to a powerful member of the Aizu Clan until it was burned down and eventually restored.

Kyushu | Oita | Kunisaki Peninsula

Kitsuki Samurai District

A unique and well preserved samurai district located in Oita Prefecture, Japan.

Chugoku | Yamaguchi | Hagi

Hagi Former Castle Town

A former castle town ruled by the Mori Clan and hometown to Hagiyaki Pottery located at Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

Chubu | Ishikawa | Kanazawa

Nagamachi Samurai District

Nagamachi Samurai District is located at the foot of Kanazawa Castle and preserves a traditional atmosphere.

Chugoku | Shimane | Tsuwano

Tsuwano Old Town

Tsuwano Old Town is distinguished for its historically prominent buildings and well-preserved samurai residences.

Kyushu | Kagoshima | Satsuma Peninsula

Chiran Samurai District

A well preserved Samurai District featuring 7 traditional gardens located in Kagoshima Prefecture, known as the little Kyoto of Kagoshima.

Former Merchant Districts in Japan

During the Edo Period merchants were considered the lowest of the four social castes. However, many of the merchants became very wealthy when the Edo Period came to an end. Merchant districts can identified by the kura (warehouse) buildings and shops lining the streets.

Chubu | Nagano | Matsumoto

Nakamachi District

Nakamachi District is a well preserved merchant area where the warehouses have been converted to various shops.

Chugoku | Okayama | Kurashiki

Kurashiki Canal Area

Kurashiki Canal Area was an important part of distributing rice in large quantities and is also known as the Bikan Historical Quarter.

Chubu | Gifu | Takayama

Takayama Old Town

Takayama Old Town is a beautifully preserved district with businesses that have been around for more than a hundred years.

Kanto | Saitama | Kawagoe

Kawagoe Warehouse District

Kawagoe Warehouse District features clay walled warehouse styled buildings known as kurazukuri.

Kanto | Chiba | Narita

Sawara Town

Sawara is known as “Little Edo” because of its small district of preserved residences from the Edo Period.

Kansai | Nara | Asuka

Imaicho Town

Imaicho town is a well-preserved area in current day Asuka, Nara prefecture, Japan.

Shikoku | Ehime | Uchiko

Yokaichi Old Town

This area features 90 buildings from the Edo period style to the early Meiji period from wealth accumulated by the wax trade this town was known for.

Post Towns in Japan

Post Towns in Japan can be found on the former major highways like Tokaido and Nakasendo. These towns catered to travelers going in and out of Edo (modern day Tokyo). There is a small number of towns that have preserved their Edo Period appearance, but still has modern accommodations.

Tohoku | Fukushima | Ouchijuku

Ouchijuku Post Town

Ouchijuku was a post town in the Edo Period when high ranking officials had to travel to the capital every other year.

Chubu | Nagano | Kiso

Tsumago Post Town

Tsumago is one of the best preserved post towns on the old highway known as Nakasendo.

Chubu | Nagano | Kiso

Magome Post Town

Magome post town is a post town in Kiso Valley that has been restored with a beautiful stone walkway.

Chubu | Nagano | KIso

Narai Post Town

Narai was the half way point on the Nakasendo, an old highway connecting Edo to Kyoto.

Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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