A quiet, authentic side of Japan still exists
In such a beautiful country where once-quiet temples, shrines, and natural sights are now packed with visitors, Okumikawa is a relatively convenient region where you can still hear the wind in the trees, feel the deep cultural history of the sights, and meet locals rather than crowds. We often see future visitors to Japan asking online about "hidden gems" and "off the beaten track" locations, only to be linked to already popular locations that prove to be no longer quiet when they arrive.
We feel it's a tragedy that information about authentic Japan and real cultural immersion in places like Okumikawa is swamped by already popular locations that cannot hope to fit what people are looking for. In this post we'll share why Okumikawa is a place that will remain off the beaten track not by accident, but by it's geography and lifestyle, making it the right place to be introduced to those asking for authentic off the beaten track experiences (like the ones we offer)!
A problem of modern Japan is that many Japanese people are losing interest in their own culture, so by sharing information, running our tours and experiences, and bringing the right kind of guests, we help to put a spotlight on their own culture and give it more value. Help us by fitting a visit to Okumikawa into your itinerary.
A different kind of attraction
Many visitors to Japan these days travel to "see it, photograph it, and move on," something we personally discourage, and something that specifically upsets the head monk of Mt. Horaiji (who often sees this pattern in Kyoto near Arashiyama bamboo forest). Okumikawa instead rewards those who slow down and look for something different, people who want to walk the temple grounds (even if they're mountain sized like Horaijisan), listen to nature, join local experiences, and search for the deeper stories that you cannot get from signs and brochures.
Okumikawa's sights generally centre on cultural depth and natural beauty, not spectacle. But we do have that too!
The highlight of Okumikawa is Mt. Horaiji (a.k.a. Horaijisan), our main location for tours where we help our guests to discover and experience the centuries of deep cultural history and incredible stories that shape their understanding of Japan forever. Like it has been for over 1,300 years, Horaijisan is a place where you go to experience something special, and we make sure our guests can get that.
We do tours in other locations too, and we have a range of cultural immersion experiences that you should take a look at to see how you can discover this side of Japan for yourself: Custom guided tours, and our experiences.
Convenient countryside, with just enough distance
Compared to cities, Okumikawa can be considered "remote," but that remoteness is actually a blessing. Visiting Okumikawa requires intention, it's a place visited (now and in the distant past) by people looking for something particular, it's not the kind of place you will see casual tourists simply taking photos and leaving. While our quaint train line and distance from cities makes careful planning for a day trip necessary, it helps to keep our visitors to those who really are looking for the things Okumikawa can offer.
If you're looking for more information on how to get here, or how to plan a day trip from Nagoya (for example), we have more information available here.
We've always felt that the journey is part of the experience, and for those who make the effort to visit Okumikawa, they're rewarded with space, peace, cultural history, and deep nature.
No room for big tours
Okumikawa is a place generally unsuitable for huge tours of buses loaded with people. The region's small-scale accommodation and countryside infrastructure naturally caps the number of visitors we get, not by policy but by culture. While tourism has been a big part of the area for centuries, locals want peace and for their culture to go relatively untouched.
The ryokan inns, guesthouses, and restaurants of Okumikawa are generally family-run. Almost all of our hotels and ryokans have no room for fleets of tourist coaches, and for many, the buses couldn't even get close thanks to winding mountain roads.
Sustainability by nature, not necessity
Without needing to set visitor limits or crowd-control systems, Okumikawa naturally maintains its harmony between people and nature, without selling out its culture to appeal to trends and big business.
Fitting with this local way of working, we at Hihumi 1.2.3. (Yuko and Alex), also want to keep a natural balance, and focus on quality over quantity (our guests are such amazing people). We focus primarily on small groups and personal, customised tours, including tours for solo travellers. We use our personal connections with the community, respect for the culture, and highly-biased love for Okumikawa to create amazing tours that our guests love.
Who Okumikawa is (and isn't) for
Okumikawa isn’t for everyone, and that’s exactly why it’s so special. Those looking for busy nightlife, brand-name shopping, or ultimate convenience may find it too quiet and far, but for visitors who want authenticity, peace, and real cultural exploration, Okumikawa is perfect, and we hope to be able to show you around!