Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 2) — With a display of calm skies and glacial air, the time finally came for Japan to once again transport its visitors to its perfectly preserved culture and traditions—from scenic towns with historic houses and unending gastronomic adventure to engulfing them with intangible heritage.
More countries in Asia have begun welcoming international tourists after weathering the COVID-19 pandemic, with Japan as one of them hoping to unlock a major bounce in tourist arrivals.
With quarantine-free and seamless entry protocols, thousands of tourists now pack their luggage and flock to Japan, hoping to trigger the travel bliss that was missing during the two-year standstill due to the global health crisis.
READ: Busy skies for Japan as Filipinos go ‘revenge travel’
CNN Philippines features how Japan can effortlessly regain its share in the global tourism market after closing its borders for more than two years.
Taking a trip back in time
When people think of Japan, the thought of flashy lights and the busy streets of Tokyo or maybe Osaka’s cherry blossoms will be at the top of their minds. While they hold a blinding charisma, a magical place hidden deep in the mountains has been drawing attention with its picturesque landscape that looks straight from a dream.
The historic village of Shirakawa-go, a Unesco World Cultural Heritage site, unleashes different charm in every season with its “Gassho-style” houses with roofs that mirror a gesture of praying hands.
However, it is winter that makes Shirakawa-go way more magical, freezing visitors’ breath but warming their hearts with awe, as the cluster of 114 houses built more than hundreds of years ago is covered with snow.
Meanwhile, an hour’s drive from Shirakawa-go lies a Japanese architecture that looks almost untouched by contemporary society. The city of Mino in Gifu basks in Nipponia Hotel’s old private houses that have been serving as an escape for guests to immerse in some great pieces of the town’s history.
With buildings refurbished to keep their century-old elegance, Nipponia lets tourists experience Japan’s timeless houses that were used initially exclusive by wealthy merchants.
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Opening its doors to travelers, the rooms flaunt the classic features of a Minka—or a Japanese house—such as tatami mat flooring and wooden engawa verandas. Some of the guest rooms take the win in alluring guests with artworks that are unique in the town, including washi paper art created by artisans from Gifu.
Another interesting detail is the compound—as originally built by an affluent merchant—had a chamber meant to store valuable objects and the family’s wealth. The vault storehouse is now a cozy living space.
Aside from its impressive restoration works, Nipponia also takes pride in preserving Mino Washi technique, a style of traditional Japanese paper rooted from over a thousand years ago. Sharing its passion with the world, Nipponia welcomes tourists wanting to try washi-focused workshops and use authentic Japanese paper to create piece ornaments, such as the well-loved Origami.
Just a few walks from Nipponia, the Udatsu Wall Historical District, with a mountain range view, will also fill tourists’ eyes with beauty and wonder. Through the old-style Udatsu—walls built for residential houses to prevent the spread of fire—and Japanese roof tiles of the merchant houses, visitors can imagine the prosperous Edo period of the country.
A taste of rarity in Toyama
Jumping from the wonders of Gifu to Toyama Prefecture, tourists can further deepen their understanding of the land and get lost in efforts to support the local community.
This comes in Toyama’s Rakudoan Art Hotel, an exclusive establishment offering only three rooms with antiques and contemporary art that champion national and foreign artists.
As it sits in the heart of Toyama’s nature, an Italian restaurant in Rakudoan uses local seasonal ingredients and offers a chef’s free interpretation of local cuisine
Nestled in a small village of 120 houses in Tonamino, the hotel’s producer Sari Hayashiguchi said they are committed to “preserving” the area, which has been considered one of Japan’s priority rural villages.
“One of the main reasons of the hotel is to preserve this area, the landscape. The village is called a dispersed settlement,” Hayashiguchi, who also serves as Toyama West Tourism Promotion association producer, said during a chat in December.
True to this, Rakudoan is surrounded by a vast rice field. Hayashiguchi shared that as part of the hotel’s commitments, they purchase locally produced crops as much as possible, such as rice and wheat. Two percent of Rakudoan’s earnings from accommodation fees are also donated to the village conservation charity.
Another passionate local that has made a name in the region is Saburomaru Distillery, making old-fashioned whisky that can be traced back to 1952.
Producing only high-quality tastes of distilled liquor, Saburomaru Distillery opened doors on the international scene after the company, together with master craftsman Oigo Seisakusho, developed “Zemon”— dubbed as the world’s first cast distiller.
As the oldest whisky distillery in the Hokuriku region, Saburomaru Distillery has been picking up steam, pushing it to launch a tour for people wanting to learn the history of the distillery and its manufacturing process.
Japanese traditions and arts
Handing down the gifts of well-preserved traditions and arts, delve deeper into these cultural expressions that connect people to the past and present.
Making your own sake cup
After a quick factory tour of Takaoka City’s Nousaku, visitors can try Japan’s traditional casting method to make sake cups, bowls, or plates. Casting uses molten metal to pour into a sand mold.
During the workshop, a Nousaku Lab representative will guide visitors until the tin item has solidified. Tourists may also engrave letters and numbers on the bottom of the item.
Japanese Kimono
While Japanese people rarely wear this traditional garment, the kimono—now seen as formal clothing—is popular at weddings, funerals, and even university graduation ceremonies.
Everyone knows what a kimono is, but only a few know how it is made, especially authentic and handmade pieces.
In Kanazawa, a tour of the Kaga Yuzen Maida Kimono Factory gives a glimpse into a traditional silk dyeing technique, Kaga Yuzen, that has charmed the world because of its elegant results. Making a hand-painted kimono can take months, depending on the design and patterns.
Bamboo master
In the outskirts of Kanazawa City, known artist Chifuyu Enomoto highlights Japanese creativity and perfectionism with his sophisticated bamboo crafts.
With decades of expertise, the artisan’s products mirror meticulous workmanship, from different kinds of baskets to complicated pieces, such as bags and lanterns.
Exploring Geisha’s world
The golden era of geishas—a professional class of women dedicated to entertaining visitors—still lives in the three teahouse districts of Higashi, Nishi, and Kazuemachi.
After a series of rigorous training, visitors swoon over geishas’ captivating music and graceful dance, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to bring back home.
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