When people in North America think about traveling to Japan, the usual itinerary comes to mind:
Tokyo. Kyoto. Osaka.
And of course, these places are wonderful. But after many years in the travel industry, I’ve come to realize that there is another Japan that many international visitors never get to experience.
A quieter Japan.
A Japan of mountain villages, local food, traditional crafts, old roads, community festivals and people who continue traditions passed down through generations.
And I think this Japan is worth discovering.
What Does “Authentic Japan” Really Mean?
We often hear the phrase “authentic Japan.”
But authenticity doesn’t always mean wearing a kimono or visiting a famous temple.
Sometimes it means walking through a small village where people still know each other.
It might mean eating dinner in someone’s home, trying food made with local ingredients, or learning about a tradition that has been part of a community for hundreds of years.
This is the idea behind satoyama (里山) — the rural landscape where villages, farmland, forests and mountains exist together.
It isn’t a museum or a tourist attraction created for visitors.
It is simply everyday life in another part of Japan.
A Side of Japan You May Not Have Seen
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Ayami Sato, founder of Rural Japan, a small travel company offering intimate countryside experiences in Gifu.
A few things about her tours immediately caught my attention.
You can visit a traditional village kabuki theater and learn about ji-kabuki, a local form of kabuki that has been kept alive by the community.
You can walk sections of the historic Nakasendo, the old route that once connected Tokyo and Kyoto, passing through mountain landscapes and beautifully preserved post towns.
You can enjoy a meal with local people and experience Japanese food not simply as something served in a restaurant, but as part of everyday life.
And you can stay in a traditional farmhouse and experience a slower pace that is very different from the energy of Japan’s major cities.
These aren’t simply places to photograph.
They are experiences that allow you to connect with a place.
There Isn’t Just One Japan
This is what I find so fascinating about traveling in Japan.
Japan is often introduced through its most famous images — neon Tokyo, beautiful Kyoto temples, Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms and bullet trains.
But there are many other Japans.
The Japan of small villages.
The Japan of local festivals.
The Japan of farmers, craftspeople and traditional food.
The Japan of old roads and mountain forests.
The Japan where people continue traditions simply because they have always been part of their community.
And sometimes, the Japan you remember most is the Japan you never knew existed.
Want to Experience It Yourself?
If this sounds like the kind of experience you’d like to discover, you can learn more about the small-group tours offered by Rural Japan.
They currently offer seasonal countryside tours in Gifu, including autumn 2026 and late spring 2027 departures.
A little AK JAPAN thank-you:
If you decide to book, simply write “AKJAPAN” in the remarks section of your form.
Ayami has kindly offered to include one bottle of local sake at dinner as a special thank-you for AK JAPAN readers.
You can find the tour details here:
A Note from AK JAPAN
At AK JAPAN, we want to do more than introduce you to Japanese products.
We want to introduce you to Japan.
From products and food to culture, travel and business, we’ll continue sharing stories, discoveries and opportunities with our North American community.
There is always more to discover.