Guide
The Aoni Traditional Buildings Preservation District is a traditional farming village located at an altitude of approximately 760m in the northeastern part of Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture. In 2000, it was officially designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Dwellings by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The most striking feature of this area is the way the thatched-roof houses are arranged in a crescent shape along the contours of the land, overlooking beautiful terraced rice fields built with stone walls. The backdrop of the majestic Northern Alps creates a quintessential Japanese landscape where nature and human settlement exist in perfect harmony.
The history of this settlement is deeply rooted in the past. There are currently 14 large-scale thatched-roof houses remaining, many of which were constructed between the late Edo and Meiji periods. The village's vital infrastructure, the 'Aoni Kami-seki' (upper weir), was excavated during the 1860s over a period of four years and continues to supply water to the terraced fields today. The spiritual life of the community is also preserved through various stone Buddhas and shrines scattered throughout the village, such as the Maima Stone Buddha group, the Amida-do Stone Buddha group, Dosojin, and Bato Kannon, which have long served as objects of local worship.
The village is filled with historic architecture and natural beauty. The terraced rice fields, constructed with meticulous stone walls, were recognized as one of the '100 Best Terraced Fields in Japan' in 1999 and offer a different, beautiful expression in every season. At the end of a long stone stairway in the center of the village, you will find the guardian Aoni Shrine, which features a main hall and a Kagura-den (ritual dance stage). Additionally, the Maima Stone Buddha group near the entrance of the village serves as a silent witness to the ancient landscapes and traditions of the area.
You can enjoy different vistas throughout the four seasons. A particularly spectacular time is in May during the rice planting season; the water-filled terraces reflect the remaining snow of the Northern Alps, drawing visitors from both Japan and abroad. Another must-see event is the 'Aoni Shrine Annual Festival' held on September 20th and 21st. This features the 'Himomi' ritual, a rare traditional ceremony where fire is ignited through friction, a practice designated as an intangible cultural property of Hakuba Village. In autumn, the village is bathed in the rich, warm colors of the harvest season.
Visiting Aoni is primarily about walking and immersing yourself in nature and culture. You can learn about the structure of traditional Japanese villages while strolling through the rice terraces and visiting ancient shrines. The area is also known for its 'Purple Rice' (Shiromai), a specialty ancient rice grown in this rich natural environment. The 'Ozeni-no-Yakata' center serves as a local hub for learning more about the community's unique culture.
The village is surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Northern Alps, including Mt. Goryu, Mt. Happo, and Mt. Momiji, making it an excellent base for mountain climbing and trekking. To the northwest, the Ippongi River flows through the area, where ongoing erosion control projects help maintain the balance between preserving the natural environment and protecting the historic landscape.
Since the village includes steep slopes, stone stairs, and unpaved paths, comfortable walking shoes are essential. Please remember that this is a living community where residents go about their daily lives. Please follow these guidelines: