日本9大禁忌之地 | 地图上找不到的日本秘境！7200岁的树神？水下万年金字塔？
01 Ibusuki: The “Live Burial” Onsen Hey everyone, welcome to Nomad’s Lens. Today, we’re going to check out Japan’s “live burials.” You lie in a pit, and they shovel sand all over you until only a bunch of peaceful-looking heads are left on the black sand beach. Don’t worry, this isn’t a Japanese horror film. This is the world’s only natural sand bath. The whole process is actually super simple. First, you buy a ticket, change into a yukata, then grab a towel and find a pit to lie in. Then you just wait for the staff to come and bury you with a shovel. Once you’re buried, you hold still. After ten minutes, someone will dig you out. Then you take a shower and soak in a hot spring to fully relax. The sand is actually warm, by the way. You can adjust the temperature by how deep you lie in the pit. Just kidding! But seriously, don’t fall asleep in there. You might get slow-cooked if you stay in too long. A lot of us live under all kinds of stress every day. And stress lowers your immune system, which can lead to illness over time. In fact, many diseases are caused by a stressed-out mind. And this sand bath uses warm sand to warm and comfort those fragile souls under heavy pressure. This kind of sand bath has been around for over 300 years. Lying on the sand helps your body quickly flush out toxins. After just ten minutes, your blood circulation improves dramatically. It’s said to be 3-4 times more effective than a regular hot spring. So you can imagine its full-body beauty benefits are pretty amazing. Plus, sand baths can also help relieve many chronic conditions. The heat of the sand doesn’t come from the sea, but from underground hot springs. A sand bath usually costs around 1,000 yen. And you can only experience it in Kagoshima, on Japan’s Kyushu Island. The ones in Ibusuki are the most famous. This has a lot to do with the nearby active volcano, Mt. Kaimon. Lake Ikeda, near the volcano, was once a massive crater. It’s also the legendary home of Japan’s own “Loch Ness Monster.” This shows just how rich the geothermal activity is in Ibusuki. No wonder they have these amazing underground hot spring sand baths. There’s another interesting spot in Ibusuki. From March to October, a sandbar connecting to a small island appears from the sea. You can walk 800 meters across it to explore the island. No matter what you do in Ibusuki, as long as you end your day with a sand bath, all your fatigue and worries will just melt away. So that’s Japan’s “live burial.” Would you dare to try it? 02 Yakushima: Princess Mononoke’s Forest This mysterious and slightly eerie island was the filming location for the movie “The Island.” Hayao Miyazaki came here several times for inspiration before creating “Princess Mononoke.” This is Yakushima, Japan’s first World Heritage site. It’s located at the southern tip of Kagoshima, Kyushu. With its towering mountains, it’s also the rainiest place in Japan. But even during the rainy season, tourists keep coming to find the ancient and mystical landscapes from the movie. On the southeast side of the island is Senpiro-no-taki Waterfall. It carves a magnificent V-shape through a giant granite rock. And on the west side, Ōko-no-taki Waterfall is the largest on the island and one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls. North of Ōko-no-taki is the Seibu Rindo forest path, which has long been the territory of Yaku deer and Yaku monkeys. There’s a saying on this densely forested island: “20,000 people, 20,000 deer, 20,000 monkeys.” Nagata Inakahama Beach on the west coast is a great place to relax. If you’re interested, you can also head into the refreshing Yokogawa Valley from there. Nagata is the closest point to Yakushima’s highest peak, Miyanoura-dake. At 1,936 meters, Miyanoura-dake is almost at the center of the island and is the highest peak in Kyushu. It’s known as the “Alps of the Sea.” Deep in the forests of Miyanoura-dake grows the island’s tree god, the Jomon Sugi. It’s said to be 7,200 years old. But seeing this tree god isn’t easy. The trail from the Arakawa trailhead is 10.7 km one way. The round trip takes at least 10 hours. However, more than half of the path follows an old railway track. Along the way, you’ll come across a giant, hollowed-out tree stump. If you stand inside and look up, you can see a heart-shaped opening. This is one of the most meaningful and popular photo spots. The deeper you go, the thicker the moss gets. A misty, mossy forest fills your view. There are no flowers here, just an endless, almost eerie green. If you circle the island clockwise from Senpiro-no-taki, you’ll eventually reach the northeast part, which is the real-life inspiration for the moss forest in “Princess Mononoke”: Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge. There are three hiking trails to choose from here. A one-hour course to see the 3,000-year-old Yayoi Sugi. A three-hour course to enter the Princess Mononoke Forest. And a five-hour course to climb Taiko-iwa Rock. If you get tired from hiking, there are plenty of hot springs to relax in. Especially the Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen in the far south. But you can only soak in it during low tide. There are no changing rooms, and no swimsuits allowed. It’s free (just a 100-yen cleaning fee) and it’s co-ed. Miyazaki’s inspiration for the spirit-filled forest came from a close-up shot of the moss. Tiny, sparkling dewdrops. Being in such a magical place feels like you’re on a deserted island. So, what do you think? Wanna check it out? 03 Aogashima: Tokyo’s Paradise Island Did you know that Tokyo actually has a secret paradise island? And it’s also known as one of the best stargazing spots in the world. The island is called Aogashima. It’s about 358 km south of Tokyo, a solitary volcanic island in the southern Izu Islands. Although it’s officially part of Tokyo, the island looks like a scene straight out of Jurassic Park. It’s the least populated area in all of Tokyo. Currently, only 168 people live on the island, along with an active volcano that’s still very much alive. Aogashima is a complex volcanic island, 3.5 km long and 2.5 km wide. It’s made up of the overlapping remnants of at least four craters. The island is surrounded by incredibly steep cliffs of volcanic deposits. The last eruption on Aogashima was in 1785. That eruption killed half of the island’s 327 residents. No one really knows when people first started living on Aogashima. But there’s a local legend that if a man and a woman lived on the same island, the gods would punish them. So, for a long time, the Japanese prohibited women from living on Aogashima. After the 1785 eruption, the island was uninhabited for nearly 50 years. Of course, things are totally different now. The only izakaya on the island often hires waitresses from off-island. Even though the island is small and sparsely populated, the tourist map actually lists 13 attractions. The roads and infrastructure are pretty well-developed. The crosswalk buttons are specially installed for the elementary school kids. To get through the thick volcanic rock, they even carved a tunnel through the island. You can see a clear crater right in the middle of the island. This volcano is called Maruyama. A lush forest path leads to its summit. The Japan Meteorological Agency still classifies Aogashima as a Class-C active volcano. You can see the proof in the steam rising from the ground on the slopes. Although it smells like sulfur, it’s also super convenient for the residents. This is a geothermal steam cooker that’s free for everyone to use. You can steam fish, sweet potatoes, meat, and eggs. They’re ready to eat in just 20 minutes. The hot steam is also used in the island’s only public sauna. There aren’t many places to stay on Aogashima, and very few restaurants. But the food you can get is incredibly delicious. For safety, the speed limit on the island is 30 km/h. At the Oyamatenbo Park, 423 meters above sea level, there’s an old observatory. The northern part of the island is a gentle, flat slope. The blue patches in the green forest are rainwater collection systems. When the weather is good, camping on the summit is a great option. The island is very quiet and safe. At night, there’s no light pollution and almost no noise at all. That makes it a perfect stargazing destination. The Japanese call it the “Starry Sky Stadium.” The port on Aogashima is very unique. The fishermen’s boats have to be lifted ashore by a crane. But the passenger and cargo ships dock normally to transport people and goods. On a normal day, people come to the port to fish, and the catch is usually pretty good. People say the internet and phone signals on Aogashima are also very weak. Compared to Tokyo, this place is a slow-paced paradise. The island has no addresses or house numbers. And almost all the residents share the same last name. But even so, residents can get free shipping when they shop on Amazon. The only small supermarket on the island is owned by the village chief. And he also has a monopoly on the hotel, gas station, and auto repair shop. But the residents and tourists don’t seem to mind. Currently, you can only get to Aogashima by helicopter or boat. Hachijojima, 70 km north of Aogashima, is the transit point from Tokyo. The boat trip takes about 3 hours. So most tourists choose the 9-seater helicopter, which takes only 20 minutes. During peak season, you need to book your tickets half a month in advance. If you plan well and leave Tokyo early in the morning, you can reach Aogashima in just over two hours. You could spend a day or two on this island, or even a whole week. If you love stargazing, Aogashima is a great choice. So, wanna go see the stars? 04 Gunkanjima: The Abandoned Hell Island Japan’s abandoned Battleship Island is full of decay and dark secrets. Its history is complicated, but one thing is clear: when humans leave, nature takes over, and buildings crumble. 17.5 km off the coast of Nagasaki, lies an abandoned island called Hashima. Because of its warship-like shape, it’s also known as Gunkanjima, or Battleship Island. Of course, due to its dark history, it’s also called Prison Island, Hell Island, and Ghost Island. Originally, Battleship Island was just a small reef. Through land reclamation for coal mining, the island was expanded to three times its original size. A concrete sea wall completely encloses it. From 1887 to 1974, Battleship Island supplied a steady stream of coal for Japan’s industrial development. And on this tiny island of just 6.3 hectares, at its peak, over 5,000 miners and their families lived here. It became the most densely populated place on Earth at the time. But once oil began to replace coal, the coal mines closed, and people left. But as the concrete walls crumbled and nature took over, the decaying island caught the attention of those interested in historical ruins. Of course, Battleship Island’s past isn’t that simple. During World War II, Japan used Korean civilians and Chinese prisoners of war as forced labor, making the island’s history even darker. Due to unsafe working conditions, malnutrition, and exhaustion, from the 1930s to the end of World War II, over 1,000 workers died on the island. Battleship Island was listed as a World Heritage site in 2015. But its inclusion remains controversial. It’s unclear whether the island’s focus should be on its role in Japan’s rapid industrial revolution, or as a reminder of the forced laborers who had to endure inhumane conditions. The undersea coal on the island was first discovered in the 19th century. To catch up with Western colonial powers, Japan began a period of rapid industrialization in the mid-19th century. After being acquired by Mitsubishi in 1890, Battleship Island became Japan’s first undersea coal mining base. In 1916, Japan’s first large reinforced concrete building was constructed on the island. Soon after, other apartments, schools, a hospital, a post office, shops, and other infrastructure were completed. And all the buildings were connected by underground tunnels. In 1959, the island’s population peaked at 5,259 residents. Starting in the 1960s, as oil replaced coal, coal mines across Japan began to close. In January 1974, Mitsubishi officially closed the Battleship Island mine. Even though the island has been uninhabited for decades, Mitsubishi still owns it. After renovations, Battleship Island opened to tourists in 2009 as a creepy historical ruin. Although tourism is booming, and it was featured as a location in a James Bond film, most of the island remains off-limits to tourists. But that hasn’t stopped urban explorers from visiting. The controversy over the island’s dark history centers on the tragic experiences of the forced laborers. This adds a whole different layer of eeriness to the island. According to local records, between 1925 and 1945, at least 123 Koreans and 15 Chinese died on the island. Although Battleship Island’s initial World Heritage application was based on its role in Japan’s Meiji-era industrialization, it made no mention of the Korean and Chinese forced laborers. So, South Korea strongly objected. They even displayed their reasons for opposition on the big screens in Times Square, New York. Although South Korea later withdrew its objection, its film “The Battleship Island” sharply stated their position. It even surpassed the box office hit “Train to Busan.” At a WHC meeting in July 2015, Japan’s ambassador to UNESCO admitted that a large number of Koreans and others were forced to work under harsh conditions at some of the sites during the 1940s. However, since Japanese officials repeatedly refuse to use the term “forced labor” or call the Korean workers “slaves,” the tension between South Korea and Japan has not completely disappeared. The history behind Battleship Island is rich, complex, and dark. But in the end, we must remember that its dark history also includes the tragic fate of Chinese laborers. 05 Jewelry Ice: The Disappearing Gems As the sun rises, a thick mist hangs over the sea. Sunlight and freezing cold create a natural mystery, a breathtaking scene, a tranquil diamond beach. This is the only beach in the world where the ice is as crystal clear as a gemstone. That’s why people call it “Jewelry Ice.” We all know that regular ice, especially sea ice, isn’t transparent. So where does this gemstone-like transparent ice come from? Well, Jewelry Ice is actually frozen water from the Tokachi River. Because river water has no salt, it freezes clear. When temperatures drop well below freezing, the mouth of the Tokachi River freezes over. As the ice flows into the ocean, it’s broken up by the waves. It drifts and bumps against each other, making a thunderous sound. The ice floes are tumbled like pebbles, their sharp edges rounded and polished. Finally, the tide pushes them onto the shore, creating this mysterious diamond beach. In 2015, a Japanese photographer, Hisashi Urashima, discovered these ice chunks and named them “Jewelry Ice.” Now, there’s a Jewelry Ice Museum nearby. And they offer three types of tours: a day tour, a sunrise tour, and a night tour. If you drive to Otsu Beach at the mouth of the Tokachi River in Hokkaido, there’s a parking lot about 2 km from the beach, as well as a rest area and simple restrooms. This is a place that not many people know about yet. Most of the visitors are photographers. From January to March, when temperatures drop to around -20°C, the Jewelry Ice will appear on the beach. The Toyokoro town website posts real-time photos of the beach. A new wave of Jewelry Ice is about to begin. But seeing this, you might be deceived by your own eyes again. Because there’s no development, no artificial touch-ups. If you come to Otsu Beach, you might leave disappointed. People often say they saw amazing photos online, but when they went there themselves, it wasn’t that beautiful. But isn’t every trip we take about discovering the beauty in people, things, and places with our own eyes? If we look at the world through the eyes of a photographer, to find the beauty in the mundane, life might become more interesting, and we might even be happier. Don’t you think? 06 Yonaguni: The Underwater Pyramid For many tourists, Japan is a fascinating country to visit. Even in all of Asia, Japan is definitely a travel paradise. Many Japanese love to go diving in Okinawa. If you’re a diving enthusiast too, you have to check out Yonaguni Island. Because not only can you dive there, you can also touch Japan’s own Atlantis: a mysterious, 10,000-year-old underwater pyramid. Yonaguni Island itself is a picturesque place, with steep cliffs, beautiful beaches, and cozy trails, as well as mysterious rocks and green pastures. And of course, there are plenty of dive companies catering to tourists. If you see the mysterious Yonaguni underwater pyramid, you’ll be amazed by its magnificent structure. The Yonaguni underwater pyramid, also known as the Yonaguni Monument, looks like the ruins of a massive, man-made stone structure. And it’s what Yonaguni is famous for. This underwater pyramid was accidentally discovered in 1985 by an explorer named Kihachiro Aratake. It’s believed to be a ruin from the ancient civilization of Mu, nearly twice the size of the Egyptian pyramids. Ice Age relics found in the structure, along with remains of terrestrial plants, animals, and stalactites, suggest that this underwater pyramid could be 10,000 years old, possibly the oldest building in the world. Whether the pyramid is man-made is a topic of great debate among scientists. Masaaki Kimura, a marine geologist from the University of the Ryukyus, after extensive research on the pyramid, is inclined to believe that it’s the remains of a 5,000-year-old human city. He has identified quarry marks on the stones, basic characters carved on the surfaces, and rocks sculpted into the shapes of animals. He believes it’s difficult to explain its origin as purely natural, as there’s a lot of evidence of human influence on the structure. But Robert Schoch, a professor of science and mathematics at Boston University, disagrees. He doesn’t believe the main features are man-made steps or terraces. He insists that these seemingly regular giant stones are actually natural formations. Scientists also have a simpler reason to deny that the pyramid is man-made: the underwater rock layers are too old to have been created by humans. Early humans just didn’t have the technology. Of course, in the face of this ongoing debate, the legend of aliens has once again surfaced. The waters around Yonaguni are known as the “Bermuda Triangle of the East,” an area of great danger and supernatural activity. Professor Kimura doesn’t believe in aliens. He thinks it’s a stone structure that existed at the end of the last Ice Age, when the sea level was dozens of meters lower than today. Since the largest cities were always built on coasts, it’s possible that human civilization is much older than we think. Although the scientific debate about the pyramid’s origin rages on, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Okinawa Prefectural Government seem uninterested. The underwater pyramid hasn’t been designated as an important cultural property, nor have government agencies studied or preserved it. They’ve left the debate and efforts to scientists and interested individuals. So, as a tourist, you’re free to come and experience this architectural wonder 25 meters underwater. Even if you can’t dive, you can see it from a semi-submersible tour boat. This mysterious, 10,000-year-old city, the oldest on land. Yonaguni Island is Japan’s westernmost island, only 110 km from Yilan, Taiwan. If you’ve seen the popular drama “Dr. Koto’s Clinic,” which was adapted from a manga, you’ll definitely remember the small clinic on Yonaguni Island. It’s said that during filming, the noise and disruption made the islanders quite unhappy. So the production team decided to screen the first episode on the island. After watching it, the islanders loved the show and changed their attitude, becoming supportive of the filming. In the final episode, nearly a hundred islanders made cameo appearances. Actually, the theme song of the drama, “Riding on the Back of a Silver Dragon” by Miyuki Nakajima, is probably familiar to you too. Pretty interesting, huh? 07 Nagoro: The Scarecrow Village About 550 km southwest of Tokyo, in the Nagoro area of Tokushima, there’s a world-famous little mountain village. Only 20 elderly residents are left in the village. But the number of dolls and mannequins is 400. That’s why it’s known as the “Doll Village” or “Valley of Dolls,” attracting tourists from all over the world. Japan is on the verge of becoming the world’s first super-aged nation, with a quarter of its population over 65. Of Japan’s 1,700 municipalities, about 40% are defined as depopulated. The world’s third-largest economy is struggling with a declining population, low birth rate, and high life expectancy. But this doll village is growing its population in a different way. The village is filled with dolls in houses, yards, fields, and along the streets. Their lifelike appearance might trick you into thinking the village is bustling with life. But in reality, these life-sized mannequins are just representations of former residents. And the creator of this scene is the “youngest” person in the village: the nearly 70-year-old doll artist, Tsukimi Ayano. Ayano recalls that back in 1961, a dam was built nearby, the Nagoro Dam, for hydroelectric power. The village even had large factories. Even though it was a remote mountain valley, the village had over 300 residents. People chatted and laughed every day. The village was always filled with a sense of prosperity. When Ayano was in 7th grade, she left the village and moved to Osaka. At that time, there were still many kids in the village school. Later, like Ayano, those kids also moved with their parents to nearby big cities. Only the elderly were left behind. 15 years ago, Ayano moved back to her hometown to care for her 80-year-old father. But the sight that greeted her was hard to accept. The nearly deserted village had only 20-30 people left. The once-joyful laughter had been washed away by time, leaving only silence. Back home, she tried to plant some crops. But unfortunately, the first year’s harvest failed. She remembered that her father’s generation used to make scarecrows. So the next year, she made a scarecrow and put it in her field. She dressed it in her father’s clothes. A passing villager even waved and shouted a greeting at it. This accidental trick of the eye seemed to bring back old memories. It was as if old friends and neighbors had returned. From then on, Ayano started making dolls based on her memories. Each doll represented a former resident of the village. The process is both rough and detailed. The detailed part is the lips and mouth. The rough part is the body, made of a wooden frame and stuffed with newspaper. It usually takes two to three days to make one doll. The dolls last about three years outdoors. And so, over a decade passed. The quiet little village returned to its former prosperity. Except the elderly gradually passed away, and the dolls multiplied. Now, 400 lifelike mannequins quietly watch over the village with Ayano. In the school that closed 7 years ago, the good classroom discipline is a comfort to the teachers and principal. The last two students of the school, still in their old uniforms, are attending a social studies class. Each doll villager even has a detailed “resident registration” record. The gym is also full of life. Thanks to global media coverage, the doll village has been attracting tourists from all over. Ayano’s dolls have successfully put the village on the map. You can even explore the village on Google Street View. Every October, the local government hosts a scarecrow festival for tourists. And this successful tourism strategy has been replicated by other villages in Japan. But for Ayano, she doesn’t see it as a tourist project. Nor does she consider doll-making a craft or an art form. She just feels that doing this makes her and the villagers happy. The doll village is a perfect example of Japan’s aging and declining population. Currently, about 94% of Japanese live in cities. There are over 10,000 fringe villages that have become abandoned ghost towns due to depopulation. Ayano’s creation is just a rare exception. Because the dolls’ clothes and poses are so lifelike, they are described as “unforgettable.” But more often, they’re described as “creepy.” Especially on a dark, rainy day, can you guarantee you won’t be reminded of a horror movie? Tourists might visit during the day, but almost no one stays overnight. After all, this isn’t their home. Only Ayano and the few remaining elderly residents are left to recreate their happy memories, bit by bit. Every morning, Ayano greets her fellow villagers. Her husband and children still live in Osaka. But her happiness comes from the green environment, a good mood, and a positive mindset. It seems to have nothing to do with material things. Memories and spirit are so pure. Sometimes, looking back is how you move forward. What do you think? 08 Fureai Sekibutsu: The Moving Statues? We just talked about Japan’s amazing doll village. But that’s not the only creepy village in Japan. In Toyama Prefecture, there’s a village of stone statues. It’s a quiet, secluded valley. Among the overgrown weeds, there are 800 residents. But not a single one speaks. However, it’s said that after nightfall, they move on their own. Even during the day, walking through the village, you can feel like someone is smiling at you from behind, someone is watching your every move. This quiet statue village isn’t a sculpture factory or a stone carving exhibition. It’s called a village because of the numerous statues. Its name literally means “the village where you can meet Buddhist statues.” The village has been around for about 30 years. If it hadn’t been discovered by a Japanese photographer a few years ago, it would probably still be unknown in its valley. If you trace back the origin of the statue village, you’ll find it’s a very interesting story. These statues were mostly made by a Chinese sculptor. Back in 1989, a local wealthy man, Mr. Furukawa, commissioned a Chinese sculptor to create about 800 lifelike statues. He hoped these statues would be preserved forever. The statues are all different, each with its own style. They represent people from all walks of life, in all kinds of clothing. It’s said the statues were modeled after Mr. Furukawa’s own relatives and friends. They’re supposed to depict every real person he had a connection with in his life. One of them is even of himself, watching over the entire village. Mr. Furukawa spent nearly 6 billion yen on these sculptures. His goal was to ensure that he and future generations would not forget these loved ones. He also hoped that this statue park would become a popular tourist destination for visitors to relax and enjoy. But after Mr. Furukawa passed away, no more statues were added. The once-peaceful expressions of the villagers have been eroded by time, creating a creepy atmosphere. Some call it a Madame Tussauds in the wilderness. Others say it’s Japan’s modern version of the Terracotta Army. And some just call it a private sculpture park. What’s uncertain is whether Mr. Furukawa’s friends and relatives ever knew that they were made into statues to accompany him forever. Each statue has a detailed description. Did these 800 people ever come looking for themselves? We’ll never know. But ever since the village was rediscovered, the number of visitors has been gradually increasing. The lifelike statues just stare blankly into the distance. Visitors say the place feels unsettling. It makes you worry that at night, these statues won’t stay as still as they are during the day. Regardless, the statue village has indeed become a viral tourist spot. Especially after you learn the story behind it, it all starts to look quite beautiful. In the quiet valley, there’s only the sound of birds and the gentle wind. Make sure not to speak too loudly and disturb the peaceful villagers. Listen to the sound of your own breathing and the rustling of the grass. Don’t suddenly turn around or focus on what’s behind you. If you don’t want to get spooked, make sure you don’t blink during your visit. And of course, visiting the statue village at night is strongly not recommended. Few people could handle the sight under the moonlight. They say the statues move at night. Do you want to go and see for yourself? 09 Shirakawa-go: The Fairytale Village Snow-covered thatched-roof houses nestled in a quiet valley. It always gives off a feeling of a hidden paradise. Especially in winter when the lights come on, the biting cold seems to melt away in the warm glow. It really feels like stepping into a fairytale. This is a recreation of Japan’s traditional landscape. These uniquely shaped thatched-roof houses scattered in the fields are also known as gassho-style houses. Their main feature is the A-frame roof, which looks like two hands pressed together in prayer. In Japan, these houses are called “gassho-zukuri.” And the villages in the valleys made up of these houses are naturally called “gassho-mura,” or gassho villages. Actually, houses like these are quite rare in Japan. Legend has it that this architectural style was created in the early 13th century, when the defeated Taira clan fled into the mountains. They built them to withstand the cold and hide from their pursuers. The buildings that survive today were mostly built in the mid to late Edo period. So why did the local villagers build houses in this shape? It has a lot to do with the local climate. The typical gassho villages are located in central Japan, 350 km from Tokyo, in the valleys of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. This is one of the snowiest regions in Japan. So, the steep, prayer-hand-shaped roof helps to reduce the weight of the snow and also helps it melt faster. It’s not just the roof shape that’s like praying hands. During the construction process, almost no nails or any other metal materials are used. It’s all local materials and traditional craftsmanship. For example, wood for the structure and straw for the roof. These houses are extremely flexible and durable. They’re highly resistant to both earthquakes and heavy snow. It’s said that the design also takes wind direction into account. Besides minimizing wind resistance, it also adjusts the amount of sunlight the roof gets, keeping the inside as warm as possible in winter and cool in summer. The thatched roof also absorbs noise, making the inside quiet and comfortable. These houses are hidden deep in quiet valleys. Back in the day, they were basically isolated from the rest of the world. Outsiders, even people from other parts of Japan, knew nothing about them. The person who introduced gassho-style houses to the world was a German architect named Bruno Taut. Between 1933 and 1936, he visited various parts of Japan, researching traditional folk houses. He was amazed when he saw the gassho houses in person. In his book “Rediscovering Japanese Beauty,” he praised them as “extremely rational,” a traditional folk architecture that’s rare even in Japan. He also mentioned in his writings that “this scenery doesn’t look like Japan. At least, it’s a scenery I’ve never seen before. It looks more like Switzerland. Or rather, a fantasy of Switzerland.” From then on, gassho houses became known outside of Japan, and all over the world. They eventually became a celebrated World Heritage site. Currently, the World Heritage gassho houses are mainly located in the three villages of Ogimachi, Ainokura, and Suganuma. Shirakawa-go’s Ogimachi is the most famous. Many of the classic photos you see are taken in Ogimachi. If you also want to take such dreamy photos, you just need to get to Ogimachi, then walk or take a bus up to the Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observatory or the Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory. This observatory is also the spot where, during the winter light-up events, tourists scramble for the best photo positions. The Shirakawa-go light-up tradition has been going on for over 30 years. As more and more tourists participate, the short two-hour event can attract 8,000 people. Now, you have to book in advance to even be allowed into the village. Although the best time to visit Shirakawa-go is considered to be from December to February, when snowfall is heaviest, for Ogimachi village, every season seems to be beautiful. In spring, it’s a dreamy cherry blossom spot. In summer, the houses are surrounded by lush green rice paddies, filled with the cheerful sounds of insects and birds. Autumn is full of vibrant reds and yellows. And well, winter speaks for itself. That’s why a small village like Ogimachi is also called the most beautiful village in Japan. Ogimachi isn’t very big. You can walk through it in about an hour. There are over 60 gassho houses in the village. Most are still private homes. Some of the classic houses are open to the public. The most famous is the Wada House, located in the center of Ogimachi, not far from the bus station. According to historical records, the Wada family served the local government during the Edo period. They produced gunpowder and silk at home. This is also the largest gassho house in Shirakawa-go. It’s still the private residence of the Wada family, but part of it is open to visitors. Stepping inside, you can’t tell it’s over 300 years old. You can also see that these gassho houses usually have 3-4 floors, creating a lot of usable space. Actually, starting from the Edo period, most residents of Shirakawa-go were involved in sericulture. Raising silkworms requires a lot of indoor space for the silkworm beds and mulberry leaves. This led to the multi-level design of the gassho-style attic space. Inside the Wada House, you can also see the tools and farm equipment used for sericulture at the time. After leaving the Wada House, you can continue to explore this last undeveloped region of Japan. Besides the winter snow, walking through the village in spring, summer, and autumn feels even more vibrant. There are many souvenir shops and snack stalls along the streets. And this tiny village even has temples. Next to this small wooden pavilion is Hongaku-ji Temple. The Ota-zakura cherry tree near the temple is considered a very rare new species. Since it’s a world-famous tourist spot, some of the houses have been converted into guesthouses. Most are equivalent to 2 or 3-star hotels. Ogimachi is a long, narrow village. There’s a 107m long suspension bridge called Deai-bashi over the river. Standing on it, you can see the surrounding rivers and mountains. Across the bridge is the parking lot for tourists who drive. At the southern end of Ogimachi, there’s a solitary house. It’s the Tajima House Silk Culture Exhibition Hall. This is the only exhibition hall in the village dedicated to sericulture. It displays the history and materials of sericulture in the village. They also show a valuable documentary about the relocation of the old Tajima House. The Tajima family is now working to revive the traditional silk industry. Although sericulture is no longer common, the villagers haven’t given up farming. The rice paddies are also a beautiful sight in the village. Besides Hongaku-ji Temple, which we saw earlier, there’s also Myozen-ji Temple, founded in 1748. Around 1800, the kuri, bell tower gate, and main hall were built in sequence. Myozen-ji is also a traditional temple famous for its Japanese yew tree. The “kuri” is the building that serves as the monks’ kitchen and living quarters. And the “shoro-mon” is the thatched-roof gate that houses the temple bell. You can really feel the atmosphere of ancient Japan here. Besides the temple, not far south of Myozen-ji, there’s a shrine called Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine. It’s a very solemn and serene shrine on most days. But every year on October 14th and 15th, they hold the Doburoku Festival. They offer unfiltered, fermented rice wine to the gods, and perform lion dances and traditional dances. Also, this Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine has appeared in many anime scenes. So a lot of anime fans make a special trip to visit. Walking from the south end of Ogimachi back to the north, strolling through the village paths, it’s easy to see that the gassho houses come in all sizes. This reflects the different status and standing of the families. For example, this distinctive gassho house, the Kanda House. It’s said to be over 160 years old. The Kanda family started after branching off from the Wada family, the largest in the village. They started their new life here as sake brewers. From the wide rooms and the numerous carpenter marks on the frame, you can tell that among the gassho houses, the Kanda House is exceptionally well-built. You know, for wooden houses like these, the biggest fear is fire. So why do they keep a fire burning inside the house 24/7? Well, the main purpose is to smoke the roof. Since the roof is made of straw, the constant smoke repels pests from the roof and also acts as a preservative, extending the life of the roof. Diagonally across from the Kanda House is the Nagase House, which has been passed down for 250 years. The first three generations of the Nagase family were doctors. So they have a collection of medical instruments from the Edo period on display. The Nagase House is a 5-story gassho house. A large central pillar runs all the way to the top, supporting the massive roof. Speaking of the roof, the old thatch has to be replaced every 30 to 40 years. Replacing the thatch requires a lot of manpower. Whenever a family’s roof needs re-thatching, the whole village comes together to get the job done. This cooperative system is called “yui” in the local dialect. Although you can walk through most of Shirakawa-go in just a few hours, to really soak in the atmosphere, enjoy the simple life of rural Japan, escape the stress of modern life, and rediscover a piece of your childhood, you should definitely consider staying for a night. Experience the traditional Japanese way of life, savor the local specialty, Hida beef, and enjoy the quiet mornings and peaceful nights. No matter the season, you’ll have a fairytale-like experience. Finally, don’t forget to go to the Tenshukaku Observatory. Not only can you get a bird’s-eye view of Ogimachi, but you can also easily take those postcard-perfect shots you’ve seen. Today, Shirakawa-go attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year. Tourism is now the absolute pillar of the local economy. On one hand, thanks are due to the German architect Bruno Taut, who introduced these gassho houses to the world. On the other hand, it’s also thanks to the efforts of the local villagers themselves. In fact, from the 1800s to the early 1900s, gassho houses appeared in the region from Shirakawa-go to Gokayama. After the 1940s, due to dam construction, villagers moving away, and fires, statistics show that there were about 300 gassho houses in 1924. By 1961, that number had plummeted to 190. The villagers became increasingly aware of the need to preserve these houses. So, starting in 1967, with the Wada House as the center, gassho houses from various locations were moved to Shirakawa-go for preservation, forming the largest existing gassho house settlement. To properly protect these special buildings, the villagers established the “Association for the Protection of the Natural Environment of Ogimachi Village” in 1971. They created the three principles of “do not sell, do not rent, do not destroy” as their community charter. That’s why the gassho houses in Ogimachi have always been inhabited. And this is the greatest charm of Ogimachi village to this day. In 1995, it was registered as a World Heritage site. In 1997, the villagers established the “Shirakawa-go Gassho-style Preservation Foundation” to carry out landscape preservation activities in the village. Walking through this village, preserved through so many hardships, don’t you feel a sense of pride for the local villagers? Travel deeper, learn more. Leave a comment if you have questions, and feel free to share and like. Finally, don’t forget, the next video will be even more exciting. This is Nomad’s Lens.
别一个人看！这9个日本诡异之地，据说娃娃和石像半夜会动…
警告：这期内容可能会颠覆你对日本“治愈、清新”的印象！行影步离将带你潜入9个日本最神秘、最奇特甚至最诡异的禁忌之地。从宫崎骏《幽灵公主》的灵感森林，到被活埋的天然沙浴，再到居民全是布娃娃的村庄… 你准备好进入日本的“里世界”了吗？
这趟旅程，我们将一起探索那些隐藏在日本地图角落的传说与秘境。你将看到：一座沉睡在海底万年的神秘金字塔，是史前文明还是自然奇迹？一个只有钻石才能媲美的海滩，却每年只出现一个月。一座被遗弃的“军舰岛”，为何被称作“地狱岛”？
跟随我们的镜头，揭开这些地方的神秘面纱。无论你是宫崎骏的粉丝，还是热衷于探索未知世界的冒险家，这期视频都将带给你前所未有的震撼。
00:00 日本9大禁忌之地
00:08 1. 天然沙浴 (指宿砂むし / Ibusuki Sunamushi) – 被“活埋”的温泉
02:12 2. 屋久岛 (屋久島 / Yakushima) – 7200岁的幽灵公主森林
04:32 3. 青岛 (青ヶ島 / Aogashima) – 东京的神秘天堂孤岛
08:06 4. 军舰岛 (軍艦島 / Gunkanjima) – 被遗弃的地狱之岛
11:47 5. 钻石海滩 (ジュエリーアイス / Jewelry Ice Beach) – 期间限定的宝石
13:43 6. 与那国岛水下遗迹 (与那国島海底地形 / Yonaguni Monument) – 海底金字塔之谜
17:17 7. 名顷娃娃村 (名頃かかしの里 / Nagoro Scarecrow Village) – 活人보다娃娃多
21:25 8. 石佛之森 (ふれあい石仏の里 / Fureai Sekibutsu no Sato) – 夜里会走路的石像？
24:20 9. 白川乡合掌村 (白川郷合掌造り / Shirakawa-go) – 深山中的童话世界
👉 订阅「行影步离」https://www.youtube.com/@Stepabreath，与我们一同探索世界旅行地理奇观！
👍 如果你喜欢这期内容，请一定点赞、分享，并留言告诉我们哪个地方最让你毛骨悚然！
#日本 #秘境 #世界之最 #行影步离 #日本旅游
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⇲ 更多視頻專輯 ⇲⇲⇲
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2024新年旅行4K（北京+慕田峪长城+厂甸庙会前门天坛+颐和园+地坛庙会+南锣鼓巷）→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcL774tWk56jP2tUg71tKaxs
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2023十一旅行4K（平谷+薊州古城+天津濱海+天津五大道）→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLLpjPE7prK5NrvzldBCQtj
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2023暑假旅行4K（秦皇島+泰國曼谷+芭堤雅+清邁）→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJsw2g5VU3omAay-v7FgnRE
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【行影步離】 ⇲ 國際版全集 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIjSEckSf1EPwxavMR8AAFS
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【行影步離】 ⇲ 國際版分區專輯 ⇲
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【行影步離】 ⇲ 國際版分類專輯 ⇲
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→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLrDNyPvFIRBfOD529QphBd → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIqZSlkQj8QXOVXCn8guWAL → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKxprkbCXiU_XAlLmZ9JFSC → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLlkQeH1DhtlA0NCYj8-8MC → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKQilv8jvYru-ytVFwd8z9K → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIPHNdsuDi_1yNviE7FEGOh → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLRbikNzhfvLobBSnljVhwB → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIP_Yp6zBhUH2IX-G-ZNTmf
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【行影步離】 ⇲ 國內版全集 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJpwrjWy06pyyFJnLgp7nqg
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【行影步離】 ⇲ 國內版自駕游專輯 ⇲
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→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKsNFt7Lmkjqcsjyid2nqCb → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcInQBxyyjmzFRFCL0a2i4Hk → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIGJrvmYQYCNBw2Sjz7x8qg → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLSP1x7lxIzekGTWWKG8d07 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIG2sOWnAFaDeB2ALSc3afA → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKBWzfu-GZkslXxzmMBx9-2 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKgLVOV0jgaH9CBt1GtVlso → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcK_fwMfbPgXmJ-nIMqAQXI9
→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIfFfZXEAro6gUqlT5ua4H0 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLLHGPur1AaphcvvFSlaDUO → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJguHnBG27JbW3kIgMhFewG
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