An Under-The-Radar Japanese Village With Striking Architecture Is Known As 'Little Kyoto'

Japan is a place that feels as though no matter how long you spend there, you'll never be able to see it all. This is especially true for smaller villages, which are often overshadowed by bustling megacities like Tokyo or Instagram-famous (but controversial) towns like Nara. One under-the-radar Japanese village — often overlooked due to its proximity to Himeji — offers visitors the chance to explore Kyoto-like architecture without the crowds: Tatsuno. Known as the "Little Kyoto of the Harima Region," this charming little town is steeped in history and tradition. 

You may go into sensory overload as you take in the beauty of this small village. Tatsuno is known for its architecture, with many cute shops, cafes, traditional homes, and delicious eateries. Follow your nose as it leads you toward the tangy scent of soy sauce coming from Japan's first museum dedicated to this salty condiment, the Usukuchi Tatsuno Soy Sauce Museum. 

And be sure to stop by one of the many restaurants serving up somen, a thin noodle served as soup in the winter or chilled in the summer. Nature lovers will also find plenty to admire about the village — from the tranquil flow of the Ibo River surrounded by stunning colors in the fall to the beauty of the cherry blossoms in the spring. Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in history, savor local delicacies, or simply enjoy nature — Tatsuno has a little something for everyone. 

Although small, Tatsuno is bursting with activities. Outside of learning about soy sauce and slurping on delicious noodles, visitors can spend the day exploring the Tatsuno Castle — a now reconstructed Edo-period building set atop Mount Keirozan. Visitors can explore the grounds, and the inside portion provides insight into a time of samurais.

If you visit in the spring or fall, you'll be stunned by the city's foliage. In the fall, maple trees turn shades of red, yellow, and gold. And, just like Kyoto, Tatsuno hosts a Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring — complete with a warrior parade, traditional Japanese music concert, and several tea ceremonies. When the festival isn't on, you can also make your way to Shūentei — a historic tea house to enjoy a traditional ceremony with tea and snacks for 500 yen. They are only held on specific dates throughout the year, so you may need a bit of planning or luck to time your visit well. Make sure you check the city's website for details. Another festival not to miss is the Summer Fireworks Festival held on the first Saturday of August every year.

Tatsuno Park is a gorgeous place to see the more than 3,000 cherry trees in bloom, spend some time picnicking, or explore the Literature Path, which leads the way to the Akatonbo poetry monument (erected in honor of a famous nursery rhyme lyricist). Below the path, visitors will find the most spectacular spot to see cherry blossoms: the cherry blossom tunnel. Between December and February it's common for the temperature to dip below freezing, and if you're lucky, you may see the village's beautiful architecture dusted in snow.

Even though Tatsuno is known as a "Little Kyoto," the closest big city is Osaka (about 1.5 hours from Tatsuno via the Shinkansen bullet train) with a transfer in Himeji. Although taking the train is fairly simple, driving can be a bit more of a flexible option and allows visitors to stop off and explore more of the area's beauty. From Osaka, it's about a 1.5-hour drive to Tatsuno via the Sanyo Expressway. For a budget-friendly option, take one of the overnight buses from major cities like Tokyo.

The easiest and quickest way to explore the town is by renting one of the bicycles available near the Hon-Tatsuno Station. Prices range from 1,000 to 2,000 yen depending on the type of bike (electric or manual) and how long you rent for. Taxis are also available from the station to take visitors directly to the old part of town (where most of the activities are located). The town is located about a 20- to 30-minute walk from the station, so if you don't mind the exercise, it's a beautiful way to take in the surrounding nature on your way to the center.