by admin | Mar 22, 2025 | cities and towns, tourist attractions, tourists, travel destinations, world
Although it was dubbed one of Britain’s least desirable locations to reside in, visitors apparently adore Crawley.
According to government statistics, the town of West Sussex has become one of the top destinations for international tourists.
It was ranked 15th according to the Office for National Statistics (
ONS
) list of destinations.
That put it above
Nottingham
(16th) Robin Hood’s home country, and Aberdeen (17th), which has frequently won the ‘Beautiful Scotland’ award.
Crawley, originating from the Old English term ‘crawe leah,’ signifying ‘a clearing frequented by crows,’ managed to surpass Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Reading, and the renowned pilgrimage site of Canterbury.
The outcomes might be attributed to Crawley being home to
Gatwick
The airport, a key global hub utilized by millions of travelers.
Crawley was placed at number 20 on a list identifying the least desirable locations to reside in, as compiled by a national newspaper.
This ignited a strong defense from The Argus, a nearby publisher based in the Brighton area, stating that it was “a wonderful place to reside.”
The ONS report, which was based on the count of overnight stays, left out London.
The report indicated that the capital saw 20.3 million overnight visits in 2023.
Edinburgh, leading the chart, reportedly saw 2.3 million visitors as per the extensive survey, which was derived from responses collected from hundreds of thousands of participants.
Manchester (1.7M) secured the second spot and
Birmingham
(934,000) third.
Liverpool (900,000) and Glasgow (685,000) completed the top five list.
In 2023, foreign residents made 38 million visits to the UK, an increase from 31.2 million in 2022.
Expenditure rose as well, jumping from £26.5 billion in 2022 to £31.1 billion.
Moreover, even though the number of visitors is still below pre-pandemic levels, tourists who came to Britain ended up spending more money compared to 2019.
However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s proposal for a ‘hotel tax’ might result in visitors paying an extra £12 per night in the coming days.
Treasury authorities are known to have conducted ‘modeling simulations’ to assess the effects of implementing a comparable tax rate as the one used in France.
Over the Channel, the cost for overnight stays varies from under one pound per person each night at a campground to over twelve pounds in a five-star hotel.
Various councils such as those in Manchester, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole have already implemented what is known as a visitor fee, which hotels may include on customer invoices.
A report from April of the previous year calculated that the fee generated £2.8 million for Manchester during its initial year.
Chancellor’s plan for an extensive strategy nationwide has faced strong resistance from global brands like Burberry and Watches of Switzerland, which sells Rolex, along with Heathrow and hotel magnate Sir Rocco Forte.
The London-based organization BusinessLDN similarly urged Labour to focus on implementing ‘growth-promoting’ strategies.
However, according to computations made by the economic advocacy group TaxPayers’ Alliance, implementing a £1.25 fee per night would generate approximately £560 million annually.
York, which was slightly ahead of Crawley on the list with approximately nine million visitors within a year, has readily embraced the concept of a tourism tax for the city to aid in maintaining attractions like the Roman walls and the Shambles shopping district.
In 2023, out of the top ten nations whose citizens visited the UK most often, seven were from the European Union.
The three countries outside the EU were the United States, Australia, and Canada.
In 2023, as was the case in 2022, the United States led the chart for international tourists, welcoming 5.1 million visitors.
The United States was trailed by France (3.2 million), Germany (3 million), and Ireland (2.9 million).
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by admin | Mar 21, 2025 | tourists, Travel, travel destinations, travel recommendations, vacations
To many individuals, spending time off overseas entails filling up a suitcase and staying away for a minimum of a few days, possibly extending to a week or longer.
However, for Monica Stott, just one day is sufficient to travel to another nation, discover its sights, and be back home well before nightfall.
The individual hailing from Wrexham, who is 37 years old, delights in participating in what are now called extreme day trips. They have managed to visit Milan, Bergamo, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and even Reykjavik all within a span of one day each.
Monica remarked, “I believe people are often astonished to discover that you genuinely end up feeling as though you’ve taken a vacation.”
Monica, a dedicated travel blogger, mentioned that the concept of an intense day trip initially came to her mind when she was traveling for her job.
She mentioned that her initial several intense day trips were to Ireland when she had clients in that region.
Often, I would drop by for a one or two-hour meeting and return home. Later, I realized I could extend my visit and turn it into a full-day affair.
Monica subsequently found several Facebook groups where individuals shared their stories about intense day trips, which motivated her to begin scheduling some for herself during her free time.
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Research indicates that many of your greatest vacation memories tend to occur within the initial one or two days. Upon reflection, I concurred with this notion. Often, the finest experiences take place right after arriving.
You make it just in time for breakfast, pack in as much as humanly possible, and then head back home in the evening. It turns into an action-packed, hectic, wild day.
Monica thrives on bustling days spent in a single place, whereas Luka Chijutomi-Ghosh, an 18-year-old student hailing from Cardiff, has pushed the envelope even more.
“On Christmas Eve, I stumbled upon a return flight to Prague for less than £15. I promptly reserved my spot, only to realize later that the flight arrived in Prague at 21:00 and departed back to the UK at 09:00,” explained Luka.
Therefore, I considered treating it like daytime, sleeping during the day and roaming the city at night.
Luka mentioned that he discovered he required just six hours to explore a city.
Several weeks afterward, during his vacation in Paris, he resolved to find out how far he could reach into neighboring nations via train within one day.
He mentioned that he traveled to Luxembourg, Brussels, and Amsterdam, only to return to Paris all in one day.
Luka reasoned that he would likely spend similar amounts of time traveling even if he were on a day trip within the UK.
Communities on Facebook where individuals exchange stories about undertaking intense day trips have garnered hundreds of thousands of members, including some groups dedicated exclusively to local UK airports.
Monica and Luka mentioned that their travels proved to be efficient, cost-effective, and served as welcome interruptions to their daily routines without requiring them to take time off for an entire week.
Monica stated, “People often express their desire to explore locations such as Paris or Rome, yet they lack the resources or leisure time for an extended journey. There’s a solution for this issue.”
For Luka, it’s also a sensible decision.
When I consider my spending on a night out with students, it often reaches as high as £60 or even £70. But if I could secure a round-trip flight for less than £20 and explore an entirely new city, why wouldn’t I do that instead?
Even though Monika and Luka are excited about them, extreme day trips have faced backlash due to their negative effect on the environment.
Aircraft travel contributes to 2.4% of worldwide greenhouse gases and accounts for 8% of the United Kingdom’s emissions.
These gases heat up the atmosphere, playing a role in global warming and climate change.
Monica and Luka both recognize this problem.
Monica stated, “If this leads to significantly more people traveling by air and airlines increasing their flight frequencies, I consider that to have a detrimental effect.”
“But a lot of people doing extreme day trips are doing it because they either can’t afford to take a longer holiday or don’t have time.
It isn’t right to claim that someone else’s vacation is more significant just because their trip lasts longer.
Luka contended that the trips usually proceeded irrespective of circumstances.
He mentioned that the seat would be taken by another person.
Additionally, if an alternative mode of transportation is available, it would be wise to consider it. For instance, during my journey through three different cities, I opted not to fly at all.
Both also said that extreme day trips were appealing due to the high cost of public transport within the UK.
Monica mentioned that her journeys needed thorough preparation.
I generally opt for locations within a two-hour flight duration. Beyond that, the journey tends to feel excessively lengthy.
She also said she tried to stay calm at the airport to avoid unnecessary stress.
“A lot of people get really excited or anxious at the airport, and that can be exhausting,” she said.
Just approach it as you would boarding a train or a bus, and you won’t expend all your energy on pre-holiday jitters.
-
The extreme day-trip organizer conquering Europe
-
A woman embarks on a journey to Manchester through Spain to cut costs.
-
Is climate change causing more severe turbulence?
-
A woman journeys to Manchester through Spain to cut costs.
-
The extreme day-trip organizer conquering Europe
-
Are flights truly set to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and what will this mean for travelers in terms of costs?
by admin | Mar 14, 2025 | crime, culture, news, tourists, world
________________
Two young Japanese tourists in their twenties were held for two weeks in China before being expelled for snapping photographs that revealed bare backsides at the Great Wall, according to reports from local media.
NTV and other Japanese news organizations reported on Thursday about an occurrence at a World Heritage location close to Beijing. The event involved a man exposing himself and a woman taking photographs of the incident.
The foreign ministry of Tokyo stated on Friday that “the Japanese embassy in China verified on January 3 that two Japanese citizens were apprehended by local authorities at the Great Wall.”
The statement indicated that they were “released later and returned to Japan throughout January.”
Requests for comments from the Japanese embassy in Beijing went unanswered.
According to the reports, which cited sources, the tourists were apprehended immediately by security personnel and kept for approximately two weeks.
Showing the bottom part of one’s body in public areas is illegal in China, as reported.
It is said that the tourists informed the Japanese embassy about their actions, claiming it was just a joke.
The reports ignited anger in China, a nation whose historical memory retains vivid recollections of the brutalities inflicted during Japan’s colonization of the country in the 1930s and 40s, evoking intense emotions even today.
A hashtag translating to “Japanese man and woman detained for indecent behaviour at the Great Wall” had been viewed over 60 million times on social media platform Weibo by Friday morning.
A lot of highly upvoted comments criticized the tourists for their actions, with several resorting to hate speech directed at Japanese individuals.
A remark from Chinese actor Chen Yitian, who boasts more than 7 million followers online, criticized them for performing “disgraceful acts at my Great Wall.”
Some proposed that China should prohibit all visitors from Japan.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 10, 2025 | expenses, tax policy and law, taxes, tourists, Travel
From Venice to Barcelona, popular tourist spots are overwhelming visitors. However, do these measures truly help in decreasing overtourism, and where exactly does this revenue end up?
Despite the high tourist taxes, 39-year-old Susanne Meier has visited the Himalayan nation of Bhutan twice. Bhutan actually imposes the globe’s highest tourist tax, referred to as the “Sustainable Development Fee,” which amounts to $100 (€95) per person per day. This substantial fee deters many potential visitors.
tourism tax
is added to the extra travel expenses, including a driver and guide, typically organized by tour operators for an additional fee.
“People there prefer sustainable tourism over inexpensive tourism,” explains Meier, who is employed by Bhutan Travel located in Moosburg, Bavaria. She mentions that her clients are content with paying the additional taxes once they realize the beneficial impact it has on the area.
Taxes contribute to enhancing Bhutan
The nation’s tourism board states that these funds are channeled directly into supporting Bhutan’s roughly 800,000 inhabitants. The government allocates visitors’ contributions toward enhancing healthcare services, educational facilities, and upgrading infrastructural developments. Additionally, this income bolsters programs aimed at environmental conservation and aids in fostering growth for small enterprises within the community.
The nation reported generating $26 million (€25 million) in income during 2023 from the charge.
Certainly with such high
tourism tax
serves as a deterrent as well: Officials stated that approximately 103,000 visitors traveled to the nation in 2023. Most of these visitors originated from India, which is the sole country where travelers incur a reduced daily fee for their trip.
With a population of 962,000 million inhabitants, Mallorca, the Spanish island, mirrors the size of Bhutan’s populace; nonetheless, residents have faced an overwhelming influx of tourists in recent times and have
staged numerous protests
.
In 2024, approximately 13 million tourists visited the island. Consequently, it comes as little surprise that numerous locals have been advocating for restrictions on mass tourism.
In 2016, the island introduced an accommodation tax. According to the hotel classification, visitors might have to pay as much as €4 ($4.16) daily.
As per the plan proposed by the Balearic Islands’ government, the levy might increase up to six euros.
The funds are utilized to support initiatives focused on rendering Majorca more environmentally friendly. Nonetheless, this levy has had minimal impact in discouraging visitors—the island continues to achieve new highs in tourism each year.
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Tourism accommodation taxes have minimal impact as a deterrent for visitors.
“As stated by Jaume Rossello, an economics professor at the University of the Balearics in Palma de Mallorca, the impact of these taxes on tourism demand is minimal,” he notes.
In
Barcelona,
For instance, travelers presently incur costs as high as €7.50 each day, varying based on the hotel category. In Berlin, a levy of 7.5% on the cost of an overnight stay applies, whereas in Paris, guests could be faced with payments nearing €16 nightly for top-tier accommodations. Despite this, Rossello indicates that it remains uncertain when tourists would begin reconsidering their choices.
changing their destination
.
As stated by Professor Harald Zeiss from the Institute for Sustainable Tourism in Wernigerode, Germany, numerous locations utilize the income generated from tourist taxes to compensate
environmental impacts
“At the very least, this is how it’s portrayed when these taxes are being proposed and implemented,” he adds.
Nevertheless, the actual utilization of these funds differs significantly. They might be allocated towards fostering eco-friendly transportation options or merely bolstering municipal finances. “Therefore, it’s essential to clearly designate fund usage with transparency,” emphasizes Zeiss. “Yet, when resources are scarce, their intended application tends to be more vaguely outlined.”
Loathe to criticize tourism
Across numerous locations, the earnings generated from tourism taxes often constitute a substantial part of a city’s overall tax-based revenue. For instance, in Barcelona, these taxes bring in approximately €100 million ($104 million) annually, positioning them as the third-highest contributor to local government funds, based on official figures provided by the municipality. Nevertheless, this destination continues to experience intense anti-tourism demonstrations driven by rising rental costs attributed largely to short-term vacation accommodations managed by firms such as
Airbnb
As a consequence, officials in Barcelona have decided to concentrate their efforts on funding initiatives aimed at benefiting the local population rather than solely supporting the tourism industry. Approximately €100 million ($104 million) obtained through taxes levied on tourists’ overnight stays will be invested in the Barcelona School Climate Plan. This initiative involves installing air conditioning systems in the city’s educational institutions.
The income generated from the overnight accommodation tax in Berlin, referred to as the City Tax, has not been designated for specific purposes yet. This amount, totaling nearly €90 million in 2024, presently gets incorporated into the overall municipal budget.
In Amsterdam, a tourist tax has been implemented since 1973. This levy stands at 12.5% of the cost of an overnight stay and is projected to yield approximately €260 million in income for 2025, as stated by a representative from the municipal government. Local authorities assert that this tax serves not only as a significant financial resource but also as a means to regulate the influx of tourists. Nonetheless, the impact of this tax in deterring visitors may be minimal.
Venice makes changes
Following considerable discussion, Venice, Italy finally implemented its highly anticipated tourism levy in 2024. During the busy season, day visitors were required to pay an entry fee of €5 on 29 designated high-traffic days. Critics from opposing political parties argued that this charge was insufficient to discourage travelers from flocking to the overburdened city. Consequently, Venice increased the number of charging days to 54. Those failing to make the payment at least four days prior to their trip must now cough up €10 upon arrival.
It remains unclear whether the additional euros might discourage visitors from exploring the declining metropolis.
Jaume Rosselló, a researcher at the University of the Balearic Islands, expresses skepticism. According to him, for many individuals, taking a holiday is not an extravagance but rather a fundamental necessity. He cites the case of Mallorca, noting that most visitors willingly cover the lodging tax with little complaint. “These kinds of taxes tend to be quite popular,” states Rosselló, “especially when they help enhance the environmental sustainability of a location.”
Nevertheless, numerous visitors still face constraints, which can be illustrated by Bhutan’s case. After increasing the tourism levy from $65 to $200 following years of stability at the lower rate, the country observed a decline in visitor numbers. Susanne Meier noted a distinct change: “The booking figures reflected this shift clearly; people were unwilling to cover such costs.”
The article was originally in German.
Author: Jonas Martiny
by admin | Mar 7, 2025 | saudi arabia, tourist attractions, tourists, Travel, travel destinations
Previously considered the “best-kept secret” among global travelers, Saudi Arabia has emerged as an essential travel destination for Europeans.
At the ITB Berlin 2025 conference, Saudi Tourism Authority’s CEO, Fahd Hamidaddin, informed Euronews Travel that European arrivals increased by 24 percent in 2024, positioning the nation as an emerging global center for sports, with a higher number of events compared to Las Vegas.
With major sporting spectacles such as the 2034 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, alongside opulent getaways along the picturesque shores of the Red Sea and adventurous desert camps beneath the vast starlit skies, Saudi Arabia caters to a wide array of traveler preferences. This makes it a perfect ‘best of both worlds’ destination for visitors with varied interests.
There are more tourists from Europe visiting Saudi Arabia than any other place.
“Saudi Arabia remains one of the greatest and biggest mysteries hidden from travelers across the globe,” asserts Fahd Hamidaddin, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Tourism Authority.
Last year, we saw the most significant expansion originating from Europe, where growth attributed solely to this region reached 24 percent, including women accounting for 44 percent of that total.
When we began in 2019, our aim was to reach 100 million visitors by 2030. However, by the close of 2023, we surpassed this target with over 106 million visits.
“The current objective has been set at 150 million, with our growth rate consistently doubling each year. Over the last four years, we have maintained our position as the quickest-expanding travel destination globally.”
From the breathtaking Red Sea shoreline to extensive
desert landscapes
And with premier sporting events, Saudi Arabia provides a distinctive mix of adventurous activities, rich cultural experiences, and luxurious amenities.
Below are the top methods to explore the Kingdom in 2025.
From FIFA World Cup to Formula 1 Grand Prix: The globe’s top athletic mecca
Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as a major force in international sports tourism.
Elite sports figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Tyson Fury, and Max Verstappen have all participated in events on Saudi Arabian turf, along with significant
sporting events
attract people from all over the world.
In 2034, millions of people will descend upon Saudi Arabia for the FIFA World Cup, whereas 2025 is poised to be brimming with various sports competitions.
This April, the AFC Asian U17 Cup will highlight some of Asia’s most promising young football talents, whereas motorsport enthusiasts can watch Lewis Hamilton adorned in Ferrari red as he competes at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit during the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix.
During August, basketball enthusiasts have the opportunity to see top-tier national teams from across the continent compete for glory at the FIBA Asia Cup. In contrast, tennis aficionados will be treated to matches featuring the planet’s elite eight players when they take center stage at the WTA Tour Finals in November.
“Every major sports event, whether it’s a Formula One race or the World Cup, is accompanied by a range of cultural activities,” according to Hamidaddin.
“Saudi has been hosting more events per week than Vegas had events per week, from the Formulas, to boxing, to the World Cup, to tennis, and Dakar [Rally – the off-road endurance event].”
Sun, sand, and tranquility: Enjoy ultimate luxury at The Red Sea
Boasting untouched shorelines, exceptional sea creatures, and an array of luxurious five-star resorts, the Red Sea spans across 28,000 square kilometres along Saudi Arabia’s west coast, making it a heavenly destination.
So far, two upscale developments have debuted along its coastline, featuring the Six Senses Southern Dunes, and the St. Regis Red Sea Resort which boasts overwater bungalows extending out above the clear blue waters.
The Saudi Red Sea is the biggest vertical Riviera globally,” says Hamidaddin. “It’s an exceptional location extending from the northernmost point of Neom and Sindalah Island all the way down to the southern part of the Saudi coastline.
By the conclusion of 2025, this location will accommodate 16 resorts, and by 2030, an additional 34 resorts will bring the total count up to 50.
luxury marinas
, golf courses, and housing developments.
The developer of Red Sea, the destination manager, emphasizes that sustainable growth lies at the core of their initiative. Seventy-five percent of the area’s islands will remain undisturbed, with the remaining portion set for development.
renewable energy
.
Setting up camp beneath the stars in Saudi Arabia’s desert regions
Approximately 30 percent of Saudi Arabia’s land area is blanketed by
desert
,
Moreover, the region is renowned for its majestic dunes, ranging from the crimson tones of the Ad Dahna Desert to the vast wilderness of Rub’Al Khali (TheEmptyQuarter), which holds the title as the planet’s most extensive uninterrupted sandy terrain.
The vast Arabian sand dunes present a globally renowned attraction in the winter season, possibly rivaling major attractions around the world.
safari
in Africa and
skiing in the Alps
,” says Hamidaddin.
“Whether you’re into sand therapies, engaging in sand sports, seeking thrilling adventures, or enjoying stargazing, there’s an abundance of activities to experience, such as bearing witness to
rewilding initiatives
Through which we’ve introduced 21 species to establish a new animal kingdom.”
In the historic city of AlUla, you have the opportunity to go on camel rides, camp out in the desert, and gaze at the stars across the expansive night sky.
To seek further adventures, trek through the Red Sands vicinity.
Riyadh
Or venture into the historic Najd region, where off-road adventures stand unmatched.
If you’re seeking an adrenaline-pumping experience amidst the desert landscape, visit the Edge of the World—a breathtaking 1,131-meter cliff located within the Tuwaik mountain range close to Riyadh. This spot offers climbers the opportunity to ascend dizzying elevations and enjoy some of the nation’s most stunning vistas.
by admin | Feb 13, 2025 | hiking, tourists, Travel, travel destinations, walking
Underfoot lies the weathered black stone of the Nakasendo pathway, covered in moss. For more than four centuries, travelers have walked this route, an idea that sends shivers down my spine—though maybe those chills come from the frigid air at freezing five degrees below zero.
Tall magnolias and dense bamboo groves block out the sun, leaving icy spots of snow blanketing the earth beneath them.
Atop the Japanese Alps, all I can hear are bird calls and water trickling through the stream next to the trail. However, when travelers initially traversed this historic pathway, it would have been much more chaotic.
The Nakasendo Road: An Ancient Path in Japan That Still Welcomes Travelers After 400 Years
The Nakasendo highway came into existence during the 17th century to promote commerce and transportation.
travel
Between Kyoto and the Shogun capital Edo – now Tokyo – for military leaders, samurais, and warlords.
Wandering processions of individuals and packhorses occasionally required several days to traverse a solitary village. The travelers on this path held significant status and considerable riches, prompting the emergence of teahouses, stores, and lodging options alongside their routes, which eventually developed into modest townships.
The entire Nakasendo Road remains intact, along with many of the post towns it connects, making for an impressive hiking trail through central Japan.
Japan
.
Much of the path follows contemporary roadways, yet the stretch passing through the Gifu prefecture offers an idyllic 2-3 day hike that transports you back to the rustic ambiance of feudal Japan.
Woodblock prints depicting the Nakasendo in Ena City
I start my trek in Ena city, visiting the Hiroshige Museum of Art to inspire my journey ahead.
This center focuses on 19th-century ukiyo-e woodblock prints, such as the collection ‘Sixty-nine Stations of the Nakasendo’. These works portray ordinary scenarios featuring people carrying heavy loads.
travellers
, pit stops at tea houses, visitors enjoying baths at an onsen, and bustling market towns.
Behind them stand soft mountains, gentle cherry blossoms, distant shrines, and hints of an almost clear ocean.
A particular scene from “Oi Juku,” a post station only a few hills distant from Ena, appears notably fitting as the indistinct figures of travelers cloaked in robes struggle through snow up to their ankles.
landscape
.
Teahouses and mountain sanctuaries dotting the Nakasendo route
The section with the greatest ambiance along the historic highway in the Gifu Prefecture lies just beyond the village of Ochiai, on the edge of Nakatsugawa city.
In Ochiai, you can explore a ‘honjin,’ which was formerly an official resting place and now operates as a museum showcasing the security measures once necessary at roadside lodgings. This site features a hidden escape window, a concealed passageway used by ninjas who protected traveling nobles, along with translucent panels designed to prevent attackers from hiding.
The town features an distinctive S-curved turn in the roadway, typical of post towns, which aided travelers evading attacks by allowing them to lose pursuers more easily.
Leaving Ochiai, you start the steep climb up to Jikkoku Pass. Along the way, you have the option to visit Io-ji Temple, which is devoted to aiding travelers’ recoveries and houses deities associated with healing in alcoves.
Just past this point lies the sole stretch of the 400-year-old cobblestone path that has been maintained—and even augmented—enabling you to stroll for about half an hour much like travelers from the Edo period did.
The section concludes at the two-story Shin Chaya inn, offering you the chance to enjoy tea, homemade plum wine, or secure a futon for the evening.
Step back into the past in two Edo-era post stations
The path extends towards the postal town of Magome, with the snow-covered Kiso Mountains serving as a dramatic background.
As tour buses arrive and depart, it maintains the bustling atmosphere of a longstanding destination.
journey
At pit stops, expansive eateries offering views of the mountains alongside road-side vendors provide quick bite options such as glutinous rice balls drenched in savory sesame sauce and zesty miso served with spoons, complemented by thermos flasks filled with piping hot green tea.
Magome features a partially restored 17th-century main street with small, dark wooden buildings, sake distilleries, and stores offering items such as straw hats and yukata robes for tourists.
More historically significant is the Manpuku-an Eishoji Buddhist temple.
temple
Just uphill stands a large bell ready to be rung with a bamboo pole, alongside an inner sanctuary adorned with shimmering silver curtains and ornate golden lanterns.
The portion of the Nakasendo Road in Gifu Prefecture concludes at Magome, yet just across the border in the Nagano Prefecture lies the well-preserved village of Tsumago.
Automobiles are banned from the principal thoroughfare lined with closed-up homes featuring classic lattice screens, while telephone wires and electrical cables have been rerouted out of sight.
Experience staying at a traditional ryokan as Edo-period travelers did.
To enhance your historical walking adventure, avoid modern lodging options and choose to stay at a ‘ryokan’ instead. These traditional guesthouses offer an affordable yet culturally enriching experience.
experiential offerings
.
In Ena City, Ryokan Ichikawa has served as an inn for four centuries; however, the present building was constructed in the 1950s. Despite this, it maintains the traditional ambiance of welcoming visitors. Upon entering, guests remove their shoes in the lobby and are provided with plastic slippers.
The rooms come equipped with tatami flooring, soft futon mattresses paired with soothing rice husk pillows, traditional sliding paper partitions, and low tables. Typically, ryokans do not offer en-suite facilities; instead, they usually have shared restrooms and a common bath area for guests to use.
Dinners are where these
traditional inns
In a large room where heaters are operating at full blast, I’m served a seven-course meal by the 15th and 16th generation of innkeepers — a mother-daughter duo dressed in silk kimonos with their hair neatly arranged.
The sequence of dishes starts with a selection of small bowls filled with bits of black mushrooms braised in soy sauce, crispy shrimp encased in kadaif dough, and deep-fried millet gluten crowned with miso.
Next comes succulent raw blue prawns, amberjack, and konjac, all delicately fresh. For the second course, you get marbled Hida beef served sizzling on personal grills along with pools of melting butter and slices of vegetables. This is followed by steamed shrimp dumplings in broth, pickles, and rice, concluding with a pumpkin pudding for dessert.
After that
feast
, I swiftly fall asleep beneath the fluffy duvet, although not before ensuring there are no hidden threats behind the curtains.
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