Explore Traditional Japan by Travelling Along the Three-star Road
Discover pristine nature, historic teahouses and artisanal crafts by choosing to explore the Mitsuboshi Kaidou, or Three-star Road. Given its name due to the high number of sightseeing spots awarded Three Stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan, it’s a remarkably lesser explored region of Japan. Encompassing the four prefectures of Ishikawa, Toyama, Gifu and Nagano, travellers will discover idyllic World Heritage Site villages, traverse preserved samurai districts in historic towns, and meet the highly skilled artisans helping keep Japan’s traditions alive.
Wander around the charming streets of the Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa
Often referred to as “the little Kyoto”, Kanazawa is a charming city where you can enjoy wandering around the preserved samurai districts or enter a teahouse to experience tea with a geisha. One of the specialties of Kanazawa for over 400 years is gold leaf production. As you wander around the Higashi Chaya district, you’ll see plenty of opportunities to purchase beautifully crafted souvenirs and don’t miss the chance to try gold-leaf topped ice cream!
Right next to the station is the conveniently located Hyatt Centric, the perfect place to stay during your exploration of Kanazawa. The rooms are spacious, well-equipped with all the modern amenities you need, and are beautifully decorated with pieces of art including Kanazawa’s signature gold leaf.
Enter the mysterious world of geisha by visiting a chaya
One thing many travellers to Japan hope to see is a geisha scurrying along the old streets. In the Higashi Chaya district, visitors are able to experience a more intimate experience with a geisha at a traditional teahouse known as a chaya. The historic chaya are identified by the kimusuko beautiful latticework on the exterior and whilst they are also worthy of great admiration, meeting the geisha inside is an unforgettable experience. One can enjoy seeing a geisha perform their highly skilled dances accompanied by traditional instruments such as the shamisen, and participate in traditional games. Don’t be fooled though, their games are much more challenging than they look!
Roam rural Gokayama & stay nearby in Inami, Japan’s wood carving centre
The picture-postcard World Heritage Site of Gokayama can offer you an intimate insight into the ancient ways of remote Japanese village life surrounded by pristine nature. The most striking feature you’ll notice as you meander around the village is the gassho-zukuri houses characterised by their steeply thatched roofs. Named due to their resemblance to the hand-shape made when in prayer (gassho in Japanese), they are uniquely designed to prevent heavy snowfall building up. The fascinating interiors of these houses are constructed purely without the use of nails or metal, only using wood and other materials from the surrounding forests. Enjoy wandering around the rice paddies, take part in a washi-paper making workshop, and refuel with delicious soba noodles and tempura made with locally sourced ingredients.
Nearby is the quaint town of Inami, a convenient place to stay and will enable you to discover what is known as Japan’s finest wood carving town. Make yourself at home in one of the boutique villas carefully chosen by Bed & Craft. Each exclusive villa is distinct, designed and decorated with pieces by a different local artisan. A nutritious breakfast to set you up for sightseeing is available and includes smoked breads prepared with fragrant wood chips by local woodcarvers.
Before you leave, stroll down Yokamachi Street where you can enjoy the sound of chisels chipping away in the many wood carving workshops and can even try your hand at it yourself by taking part in a sake cup carving workshop with skilled artisan Ganji Nonaka.
Travel back in time to Takayama & learn about the traditions of the past
Located at the base of the Japanese Alps in the Hida region of Gifu, Takayama’s narrow streets consisting of traditional preserved buildings will give you the feeling you’ve just been transported back to the Edo era (1603-1868). While away an afternoon wandering the streets and sampling local delicacies – the melt-in-your-mouth Hida beef sushi is a must-try. Make sure to pick up the quintessential souvenir too – a sarubobo – a traditionally red amulet (for luck in fertility & marriage) but nowadays comes in other colours representing different wishes.
Like Inami is to Gokayama, Takayama is also the ideal base to explore the more well-known and larger of the gassho-zukuri villages, Shirakawago. While you’re there, pay a visit to Wada’s House, still a family home yet also partially turned into a museum, you’re able to get an insight into rural life.
Like the previous towns along the Three-star Road, Takayama is home to a number of highly skilled artisans, especially the craftmasters of Hida Shunkei lacquerware. Unique in the way the artisan applies clear yellow lacquer layer by layer to enhance the natural grain of the wood, you’ll undoubtedly be impressed by the painstaking attention to detail required to avoid ‘hokori’ dust settling as lacquer is applied.
For a place to stay look no further than Hotel Wood which incorporates the concept of zen throughout its well-designed, minimalist rooms and lounge. Public onsen is available and after enjoying a soak, check out the lounge to enjoy the free sake testing and beer.
Making the final stop at Matsumoto – a castle town with a love of frogs and modern art
Start off by visiting Nakamachi Street characterised by kura – traditional storehouses that now hold boutique shops full of handicrafts. Before heading on to the parallel street of Nawate-dori also known by the moniker “Frog Street”, make a pitstop at the cosy Matsumoto Brewery Tap Room to refresh yourself with one of their delicious original craft beers. While the sounds of frogs can no longer be heard in Nawate-dori (a flood in 1959 destroyed their habitat), there’s no lack of frog statues adorning the street and pottery lovers will enjoy picking up a froggy trinket or two at the many ceramic shops here. For those looking for something a little bit more modern compared to the traditional arts, visit the Matsumoto City of Art Museum. Home to a permanent exhibition of Yayoi Kusama, you can see this avant-garde artist’s most loved pieces, from polka dots to pumpkins.
Onsen & books? End your journey relaxing at Matsumoto Jujo
A former public onsen transformed into a library, Matsumoto Jujo offers guests 24/7 access to thousands of books. With a large range of English books, you are bound to discover something that suits your taste. If you discover something you love, you can purchase it at the front desk and take it away to read in your own private onsen bath, which every room has overlooking the beautiful townscape; perfect for those that find public onsen a little too intimidating. With many making the journey to Matsumoto just to stay in this boutique hotel alone, this really is one for your memoirs.
Quaint villages, rolling scenic landscapes, fresh locally sourced food, skilled craftsmen and cultural experiences like no other await you on Japan’s Three-star Road, so why not choose this off-the-beaten-path route for your next journey to Japan?
Writer Bio – Emma Bassett
From the UK, Emma has been living and working in Japan for over 6 years. Having lived in 4 different prefectures and visited 32/47 prefectures, she has gained an understanding of just how much more Japan has to offer outside of the popular cities of Tokyo and Kyoto. In her spare time, Emma enjoys travelling around Japan to discover the diverse landscapes and cultural experiences the country has to offer. She journals her experiences online through her Instagram (@bassetts.bouken) and her blog (www.bassettsbouken.com) with the hope of inspiring people to visit more of Japan.
