Nestled in the heart of the Honshu mountains, Takayama’s nickname is “the little Kyoto of the Alps,” and for good reason: its ...

KYOTO--A cafe that opened in a historic building ... A red carpet adds a touch of glamour, while the tables and chairs were brought from the old governor’s official residence.

Kyoto has about 13,000 alleys with a total distance of 940km, and an increasing number of their houses are unoccupied. People are working on projects and tours to preserve and revitalize these areas.

and local artisans use age-old methods to re-thatch Kyoto's temples and shrines. An old inn in the town of Hanase continues to serve the local specialty, Tsumikusa (foraged wild foods) cuisine.