There are a number of beautiful old farmhouses in the Japanese countryside that will give you a glimpse into a life that not all Japanese people are ready to leave behind. While the cities draw a huge portion of the Japanese population because the wealth of jobs and convenience, there are those who will always prefer a slower, kinder, and harmonious life. Visit the cities to see Japan. Visit the countryside to feel Japan.

Come to Ayabe or Fukuchiyama in the forests of Kyoto by the Sea. Meet the proprietor of the establishment where you will be spending the night and some of your day. Surrounded by rice paddies, farms raising organic vegetables, and bamboo/primeval forests, the sights alone will sooth you. Try your hand at harvesting local produce, learn how to plant mushrooms, or prepare firewood for the wood burning stove before settling down to a fully local meal. The night will be spent in an area with very little light pollution and incredibly clean air, resulting in an exceptional star-gazing experience. And when you wake in the morning, you can go for a hike in the nearby trails, stroll along the rice paddies or through flower gardens, as well as enjoy some slow-brewed coffee or local tea with breakfast.