8 most beautiful traditional towns you should visit in Japan

Chiba’s merchant town of Sawara retains an old-school charm thanks to its serene canals, restored traditional residences, quaint shops and converted warehouses. The town used to function as a transport hub for rice shipments, and the canals that run through the area are the exact same waterways that merchants used hundreds of years ago. One of the most popular things to do in Sawara is taking a scenic boat ride down these historic canals. You can reach Sawara in about 90 minutes from central Tokyo and in just under an hour from Narita Airport.

About a 30-minute train ride from Ikebukuro, Kawagoe – or Little Edo as it’s often called – is a popular weekend destination from Tokyo, known for its charming streets and well-preserved Koedo area. Take a stroll around and you'll come across plenty of souvenir shops, eateries and cafés housed in kurazukuri, traditional warehouse-style buildings. Kawagoe’s Toki no Kane bell tower is also a must-see; this long-standing landmark dates back to the 1600s and rings four times a day. Past the central streets you’ll find Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, a popular spot during cherry blossom season.

You’ll find the picturesque canal district of Kurashiki about an hour from the city of Okayama. Known as the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, this well-preserved area used to serve as one of Japan’s major rice distribution centres as it had a prime location on the Seto Inland Sea. As such, the area houses numerous storehouses which have now been turned into shops, cafés and museums. The beautiful willow-lined canal is the main draw here, and you can take a boat ride down the scenic waterway.

This charming onsen town in Hyogo prefecture is steeped in history, having been around for over 1,300 years. The Otani River runs through the town and you’ll come across a number of ryokan, shops and restaurants that line the waterway, which also flows past the town’s seven natural hot spring facilities – all of which are tattoo-friendly. Kinosaki Onsen is completely walkable, and you'll really feel the old-school vibes when you see people strolling around in yukata while hearing the click-clack of geta (wooden slippers) along the cobblestone streets.

Nestled in Nagano’s Kiso Valley, Narai once marked the halfway point between Kyoto and Tokyo along the Nakasendo Route, and was the largest and wealthiest post town on this key road. Narai's scenic main street has long been a favourite spot for photographers as it's lined with a long stretch of beautifully restored houses, souvenir shops, restaurants and minshuku guesthouses. What makes the area feel even more traditional and authentic is the fact that you won’t spot any cars, as vehicles are prohibited on the main street.

Although there is no longer a castle in Kakunodate, this former samurai district has hardly changed over the years, as the city has maintained the same street configuration since the 1600s. To get a feel for what it would have been like to live here back in the day, you can visit several former samurai residences which have been preserved and are now open to the public. Kakunodate is also one of Akita’s most popular cherry blossom destinations, as its streets are lined with weeping cherry trees that flourish during the spring.

Kanazawa’s Nagamachi Buke Yashiki is another former samurai district filled with preserved residences, canals and a charming historical atmosphere. The samurai homes here are known for their earthen walls, and you can visit some of these restored residences as well as tour the Shinise Kinenkan Museum which is housed in an old pharmacy. Nagamachi makes for a lovely day trip as you'll also find a number of shops and restaurants in the area.

Tsuwano in Shimane prefecture is a historical castle town and former samurai district located near the Tsuwano Castle Ruins and is sometimes referred to as Little Kyoto for its resemblance to the old capital. The town centre is where you'll find the old samurai residences with their white earthen walls and red tiled roofs as well as canals filled with colourful carp. The main street is lined with a number of charming shops, cafés and restaurants, some of them housed in historic buildings.