Five ways to discover Japan at Japan Heritage sites

Can’t wait for the next season of Shogun to come out? Get your fix of samurai and ninja history here.

Exploring the Birthplace of the Real Ninja (Mie and Shiga prefectures)

The cities of Iga and Koka in the neighbouring prefectures of Mie and Shiga are said to be the birthplace of the ninja. Visit the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum and Koka Ninja Village to learn about the history of the region’s famously stealthy warriors.

A Ruthless Warlord’s Spirit of Hospitality (Gifu prefecture)

In Gifu prefecture visit Gifu Castle, once the home of Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan’s most influential warlords in the 16th century. Experience cormorant fishing at the Nagara River, a 1,300-year-old technique favoured by Nobunaga himself. Then hike Mt Kinka and indulge in Nobunaga Dote-don, a local speciality rice bowl topped with beef stewed in red miso paste.

The Martial Towns of the Satsuma Samurai (Kagoshima prefecture)

Discover the fumoto samurai villages of the Satsuma clan in the city of Kagoshima. Start your journey at the site of the former Kagoshima Castle, once one of the most imposing fortresses in the country, and behold a reconstruction of its towering main gate. Then head to the nearby Kiire Fumoto, where narrow streets snake between time-worn stone walls and waterways. Time your trip right to enjoy events like Kagoshima’s Ohara Festival or the Myoenji Mairi Festival in Hioki.

With 40 nature-specific narratives to experience among the Japan Heritage designations, lovers of the great outdoors are spoilt for choice when it comes to visiting Japan.

Dewa Sanzan: A Journey to Rebirth (Yamagata prefecture)

The Dewa Sanzan are three mountains representing the past, present and future in Shugendo, a syncretic spiritual tradition blending Buddhism, Shinto and Taoism. While there, take in secluded mountain shrines and sample shojin ryori, traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to the Gassan Ski Resort between April and July for late-season skiing.

Meet the Ama Female Divers of Toba and Shima (Mie prefecture)

The cities of Toba and Shima on the Shima Peninsula host Japan’s largest ama diver community. These ‘women of the sea’ preserve a 2,000-year-old tradition of sustainably harvesting shellfish and seaweed, using ancient methods now mainly practiced in Japan and Korea. On a visit to Mie prefecture, visit sacred sites such as the revered Ise Grand Shrine, feast on local seafood in a traditional ama diver hut, and explore the area’s 60 islands.

The Blessings of a Harsh Wind (Tottori, Hyogo prefectures)

Sandwiched by the Japan Sea and the Chugoku Mountains, the diverse landscapes of Tottori and Hyogo prefectures are natural playgrounds for visitors year-round. In the warmer months, head to the sand dunes of Tottori for camel rides and sandboarding or hit up the nearby Uradome Beach for snorkelling and kayaking. In the cooler months, relax in one of the many hot-spring resorts at Shinonsen or head to Mt Hachibuse in Hyogo prefecture for skiing and snowboarding. Also take the time to visit a traditional festival and appreciate a showing of kirin-jishimai, a dance performed to express gratitude for another year survived amidst the howling wind.

Get your hands dirty and discover centuries-old techniques with some of these traditional crafting experiences.

Izumo’s Ancient Tatara Ironmaking Heritage (Shimane prefecture)

The town of Okuizumo in the Chugoku Mountains stands as a living testament to the 1,400-year-old history of tatara, or traditional Japanese ironmaking. Craft your own kitchen knife at the Unshu Chuzen Hamono workshop, or witness a Japanese sword being made at the Okuizumo Tatara Sword Museum. Then visit the Sugaya Tatara Sannai, a community where ironmakers lived and worked for centuries and where a tatara furnace is still operational today. A variety of tatara iron products can be purchased at the nearby Tessendo shop.

Born from the Chisels of Master Woodcarvers (Toyama prefecture)

For 250 years, local carpenters have worked to preserve the woodcarving town of Inami in Toyama prefecture. While you’re there, pay your respects at Zuisenji Temple, the symbol of the town’s endurance, and stroll down Yokamachi Street to the sounds and scents of local woodcarving workshops. The town hosts a traditional festival every spring.

Komatsu – A Rich Cultural Heritage Built on Stone (Ishikawa prefecture)

Komatsu is characterized by its ancient ties to stone, ceramics and gem production. If you’re feeling crafty, paint Kutani ceramics at the Kutani Ceramic Laboratory or one of many local pottery studios. Outdoors, explore the Natadera Temple and Kuriteien Gardens, both sites where stone architecture and decoration play a starring role, or opt for a soak at Awazu Onsen, the oldest hot spring in the region. For a musical taste of local history, try your hand at traditional performing arts such as the shamisen lute.

Tour the locations and taste the ingredients that make Japan a foodie favourite.

Wakasa Heritage – Connecting the Sea and Kyoto (Fukui prefecture)

Situated on the edge of Wakasa Bay on the Sea of Japan, the port town of Wakasa and the neighbouring city of Obama have long sustained Kyoto’s famous food culture. During the day, stroll the Obama Nishigumi historical district and the Kumagawa-juku post town and discover the 1,500-year history of the Saba Kaido (Mackerel Road). At night, enjoy local delicacies like heshiko (pickled fish), sabazushi (fermented sushi) and koi carp sashimi.

The Story of Japan’s Largest Yuzu-Growing Region (Kochi prefecture)

Once one of Japan’s most important sources of cedar wood and home to a lengthy forest railway, the Chugei region now serves as a leading producer of the sought-after yuzu citrus. After riding and driving lumber trains in Yanase Maruyama Park, hike amidst cedar trees on Mt Senbonyama. When hunger strikes, feast on local delicacies like the yuzu juice-infused inaka-sushi: vinegared rice topped with bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms and Japanese ginger.

Itami Morohaku and Nada no Ki-ippon – Kansai sakes beloved in Edo (Hyogo prefecture)

Sake enthusiasts have plenty to be excited about in Itami and Nada. In the former locale, join a guided tour of the Former Okada Residence (Sake Brewery), the country’s oldest brewery, and discover how the town became the birthplace of sake as we know it. In Nada, visit Nada Gogo, a group of five sake-brewing districts, sample your share of Nada no Ki-ippon sake, and taste why it makes up nearly a quarter of Japan’s sake market.

Get to know the people and places behind some of Japan’s most enduring stories.

The Kunisaki Peninsula – Where Ogres Bring Happiness (Oita prefecture)

Ogres are generally considered a grumpy bunch, but for centuries, the people of the Kunisaki Peninsula have had a different idea. Search for friendly ogres amidst the Nagaiwaya peaks and in the Ofudo Iwaya Cave. For lunch, taste local soba noodles and himedako octopus. Join the Shujo Onie ritual in January, when you can be showered with sparks by a friendly ogre and invite them inside for food and sake.

The Story Behind the Tale of Momotaro (Okayama prefecture)

Okayama prefecture offers a distinctive mix of nature, culture and history said to have inspired the popular folk tale of Momotaro. For a folklore adventure, visit Mt Kinojo and Kibitsu Jinja Shrine. For a taste of nature, explore Korakuen Garden, Mt Washu, the Gokei Valley and the Bitchu Takamatsu Castle ruins, which – when the weather is just right – appears to float above a sea of clouds.

Iwami Kagura – Theater for the Gods (Shimane prefecture)

The Iwami region of Shimane is home to Iwami Kagura, a particularly frenetic form of traditional performing art replete with intense music, smoke machines and fireworks. Iwami boasts numerous venues where you can take in a performance while learning about the elaborate mythology and stories behind the extravagant tradition.