While many of Japan's historic buildings and districts have been lost in fires, wars and due to city redevelopment, some cities and towns have managed to preserve a street block or whole district of traditional buildings.
The list below introduces some of Japan's best preserved historic city districts and towns:
Many Japanese cities, including Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, have developed as castle towns, where the local feudal lord resided in the centrally located castle, and his retainers, the samurai, lived in the districts surrounding the castle.
The highest social caste during the Edo Period, the samurai were allowed to construct elaborate residences with earthen walls and elegant homes. Among the best preserved former samurai districts are the ones of Kakunodate, Hagi and Kanazawa:
| Kakunodate Former Samurai District A beautifully preserved samurai district with several former samurai mansions open to the public. Kakunodate's samurai district is famous for its many weeping cherry trees. | |
| Kanazawa Nagamachi Narrow lanes and old mansions are preserved in Nagamachi, Kanazawa's former samurai district. Kanazawa used to be the capital of the Edo Period's second wealthiest feudal domain. |
Pilgrimage Towns:
For centuries, Japan's most important temples and shrines have attracted crowds of pilgrims and tourists, resulting in street blocks, city districts and whole towns, providing visitors with lodgings, food and souvenirs.
| Kyoto Kiyomizudera District The narrow streets ascending the slope to Kiyomizudera, one of Kyoto's most popular temples, are lined by many old buildings, shops and restaurants. |
No comments:
Post a Comment