Hayakawa– Museums & Temples –

Quiet and mythical area that may change your life!

About Hayakawa

Hayakawa-cho, is known as the least populous town, where 944 people live (as of March, 2021). It is the only “cho” in Japan with less than 1,000 people.
Maybe we should explain more as it is a bit tricky. “Cho” is normally translated as “town” in English. It is a Japanese local administrative unit whose population is more than 5,000. There is another unit, “mura” or village, which is the least populated.

Hayakawa-cho is an area rich in nature. More than 90% of its area is covered by mountain forests, and a rough river, Hayakawa River, flows among the mountains and hills. The entire town is registered as a “Southern Alps UNESCO Eco Park” and it is also a member town of “Japan’s Most Beautiful Villages Association”. (You see? It’s quite tricky.)

We suggest you to visit Hayakawa-cho after spending some days in Tokyo, especially Shibuya, where there is the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing. Here in Hayakawa-cho, there is only one traffic light, and it doesn’t seem so essential. According to the locals, there are definitely more deer than humans. It is said that people living in cities nowadays do not really interact with their neighborhood. The more populated the cities are, the icier becomes the relationship among people who live in. Would that be true? Visit Hayakawa-cho and you may know the answer. You will have much fun to have close encounters with the locals even though they don’t speak English!

In fact, many residents of Hayakawa-cho are from other places. They spent their vacation here and got fascinated. Are they brought under the spell of this place? Just one visit might change your life.

Akazawa-juku

Akazawa-juku is a small stone-paved village located in the mountain. It still retains its old townscape of the 17th century. It used to be a busy inn town for the pilgrims who climbed the holy Mt. Shichimen.

Narada

Narada is a mythical village behind the front scenes of history located in the upper reaches of the River Hayakawa. It is said that its name comes from Nara, the capital of Japan from 710 to 794. An empress of that time came all the way to this village for the healing water of the local hot spring. Her name is Empress Koken, and she is also known for having a forbidden relationship with a Buddhist monk. A legend says she found herself in a cozy environment here and called it Narada, which means “a field of Nara”. She stayed here for eight years and gained enough strength to become the Empress again.

Keiunkan

If you want to make a visit to this mysterious Narada, we recommend you to stay at Keiunkan of Nishiyama Onsen located 3 kilometers away. Keiunkan is the hotel certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest accommodation, whose foundation was in 705. According to the legend, Empress Koken came to this hotel with eighty escorts. The legend does not include whether she was accompanied by her beloved monk, but does state that the hot springs of Keiunkan cured her illness in twenty days. You can imagine the high reputation that the hot springs had, which brought over the Empress in Nara about 400 kilometers away. Of course, the baths of hot springs that have been pouring out for more than 1,300 years are the highlight of the stay in Keiunkan, but also its sophisticated food that you can relish in a small village rich in nature is. There is nothing but a river that flows and woods around the hotel. Whether your love is forbidden or not, whether you are frail or not, Keiunkan’s alkalescent water of ph 9.36 and the view of nature you have while you take a bath will make you happy and fully refreshed.

ACTIVITIES

Here in Hayakawa-cho, recreational outdoor activities on rivers, in the woods are available if you want to immerse yourself in mother nature; rafting on the rivers and guided wildlife tours!

Hayakawa Area Information