Top 10 famous old towns in Japan bearing the mark of time

The journey to explore the culture of the land of the rising sun cannot be complete without visiting the famous old towns in Japan - where the breath of history, art and typical lifestyle of the cherry blossom country is preserved. Each neighborhood has its own story, evoking emotions about the harmony between tradition and modernity. Join Vietravel to review 10 typical old towns that attract tourists with their original beauty over the years.

1. Gion Old Town

Gion Old Town - Famous neighborhood with beautiful geisha girls (Photo source: Collected)

Located in the ancient capital of Kyoto, Gion is a famous old town in Japan with a long history since the Edo period. The space here appears with stone-paved roads, traditional wooden shops and warm yellow lantern lights in the evening. Gion is notable for the presence of geisha and maiko - typical images in traditional Japanese art.
Along Shijo Avenue, visitors can find ancient tea houses and unique art performances. The beauty of Gion comes not only from its architecture, but also from its slow pace of life and rich cultural atmosphere. This is what makes this neighborhood in the heart of modern Kyoto so attractive. Despite hundreds of years, Gion still retains its original beauty, making it an ideal destination to experience the soul of traditional Japanese culture.
2. Asakusa Old Town

Peaceful, ancient space in the old town of Asakusa (Photo source: Collected)

Between modern and bustling Tokyo, Asakusa is an old town in Japan that brings a poetic contrast. This area is associated with Sensoji Temple - one of the oldest temples in Tokyo, along with Nakamise Street with a series of handicraft shops, souvenirs and traditional cuisine . Different from the hustle and bustle of life around, Asakusa retains a peaceful, close and simple look. Visitors can easily see the image of locals wearing yukata, walking or participating in traditional festivals here. It is the intersection between the past and the present that has helped Asakusa always be on the list of famous old towns in Japan that attract tourists all four seasons of the year.
3. Higashi Chaya District

Classical architecture bearing the mark of time in Higashi Chaya neighborhood (Photo source: Collected)

Kanazawa is a nostalgic destination, and Chaya is the clearest proof. This is a famous old town in Japan that was once a place for the aristocracy, where geisha performed and entertained guests at luxurious tea parties. The traditional wooden architecture and quiet nighttime atmosphere make Chaya seem to take visitors back to the previous century.
Higashi Chaya is the largest and most famous of Kanazawa's three remaining teahouse districts, meticulously preserved as a living heritage. The ancient two-story houses, with their black-tiled facades and wooden sliding doors, create a harmonious and sophisticated beauty. Every corner here is a part of the memories preserved through many generations, making Chaya a famous old town in Japan that culture lovers should not miss.
4. Arimatsu Old Town

Houses stained with time associated with the traditional Shibori fabric dyeing art in Arimatsu old town (Photo source: Collected)

In Nagoya city, Arimatsu is an old town associated with the traditional Shibori fabric dyeing art since the 17th century. Unlike purely tourist old towns, Arimatsu has a strong everyday character with two-story old houses, dark black tiled roofs and rustic wooden doors. The special feature of this place is the craft shops specializing in the production and display of Shibori products - a unique fabric dyeing technique that has existed for hundreds of years. After many events, including a major fire, Arimatsu has been restored and preserved in its original state. Arimatsu is also a place to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of a traditional craft that has contributed to the cultural identity of Japan. It is the connection between traditional crafts and old spaces that makes Arimatsu a famous old town in Japan with many spiritual values.
5. Kurazukuri Old Town

Kurazukuri old town with nostalgic atmosphere of the past Edo period (Photo source: Collected)

Just 30 minutes from Tokyo, Kawagoe is known as “Little Edo” thanks to its intact rows of Kurazukuri warehouses. With a length of about 400 meters, this old street in Japan takes visitors back to a scene hundreds of years ago, where merchants traded bustlingly under thick tiled roofs and thick fireproof walls. Kawagoe has a festive atmosphere and folk culture. Traditional confectionery shops, old restaurants and Japanese tea shops create a very unique charm. This place is not only a tourist destination, but also a place to relive and deeply feel the spirit of the Edo period that remains through every brick and tile. With its unique historical and cultural value, Kawagoe deserves to be one of the famous old streets in Japan that many people love.

6. Mamedamachi Old Town

Handicraft shops still retain the Edo period style in the old town of Mamedamachi (Photo source: Collected)

Located in the heart of Kurashiki city, Mamedamachi is one of the famous old streets in Japan with traditional Edo-period architecture preserved almost intact. Low-rise wooden houses with ancient tiled roofs, stone-paved roads interspersed with winding canals create a peaceful, quiet space. Every street corner in Mamedamachi is like a fairy tale picture frame, leading travelers back in time. This place is also a favorite destination for those who appreciate old cultural values. Handicraft shops and small cafes with a nostalgic style help visitors both admire and enjoy a slow and poetic pace of life.

7. Tokoname Old Town

Tokoname old town still retains its traditional features with a ceramic village (Photo source: Collected)

As the cradle of ceramic art, Tokoname is known as one of the famous old towns in Japan, where traditional crafts are still preserved and developed through many generations. Walking on the winding small streets, the brick-covered walls and old chimneys seem to tell the historical story of this land. Tokoname not only has artistic value but also has a strong humanistic character, with bustling pottery workshops and dedicated artisans. Visitors can participate in pottery making classes, learn about the production process and buy exquisite handicrafts as souvenirs. The space here is quiet but full of depth, helping people clearly feel the soul of the old town in the heart of Japanese culture.

8. Taketomi Ancient Village

Simple and peaceful beauty at Taketomi ancient village (Photo source: Collected)

Taketomi, a small island in the Yaeyama archipelago, is one of the famous old towns in Japan with unique traditional Okinawan architecture. The village appears simple with red-tiled roof houses, coral stone fences and white sand roads - all creating a harmonious green picture between nature and people. Life in Taketomi passes slowly. People still maintain ancient customs, from wearing traditional costumes to organizing local festivals with indigenous cultural colors. The space here is both quiet and profound, making visitors still linger on the rustic, close and very familiar moments when leaving.

9. Shirakawa-go ancient village

Shirakawa-go is a famous ancient village in Japan with a fairy-tale-like beauty (Photo source: Collected)

Shirakawa-go is a special destination in the list of famous old towns in Japan thanks to the Gassho-zukuri thatched roof architecture - a symbol of sustainability in the harsh nature. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, this ancient village is nestled between a snow-white valley and a deep green pine forest, creating a poetic fairy-tale scene. In winter, the snow covers the roofs, creating a breathtaking beauty that is unmatched anywhere. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in the middle of the village, creating a symphony of colors. Shirakawa-go is a place where time seems to stand still, allowing people to feel the deep connection between people and nature in every breath.

10. Kanaya-machi neighborhood

Ancient-style houses in Kanaya-machi neighborhood (Photo source: Collected)

Located in Nara city - the ancient capital of Japan, Kanaya-machi is considered one of the famous old streets in Japan with a long history and nostalgic atmosphere. The small stone-paved alleys, two-story old houses with traditional sliding wooden doors bring people back to the image of a quiet old Japan. This is where many traditional restaurants, handicraft shops and long-standing cultural relics gather. Kanaya-machi is not noisy and bustling but is covered with a quiet and intimate atmosphere, like an ancient book waiting for readers to open each page. Spending time wandering here, travelers can easily find peace in the historical flow of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The famous old streets in Japan are not only tourist destinations but also a living cultural treasure, clearly reflecting the national spirit and historical depth of the cherry blossom country. Every step through these streets is a touch of the past, an opportunity to listen to untold stories, feel the spiritual values ​​that silently exist through each roof and stone. The journey to discover Japan will be more complete with more traditional experiences in the old streets. Don't forget to plan with Vietravel to have a more complete, professional and emotional trip.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/pho-co-noi-tieng-o-nhat-ban-v17053.aspx