This website shares useful information about rural life in Japan especially focused on Wakayama Prefecture and how it can help you make the most of your time in the countryside. It offers practical advice and experiences for travelers interested in the Japanese countryside, as well as for those who want to start living in the countryside or are considering moving to Japan.
Who am I?
Welcome to my website!
My name is Yui, a Japanese born and raised in Japan. I’m raising my kids with my husband in the countryside town at the foot of Mt.of Koyasan (Mount Koya) in Wakayama Prefecture.
I am an expert in travel arrangements. I have worked in the tourism industry for many years, especially with a travel agent specializing in the Kumano Kodo region of Wakayama Prefecture for an extended period of time, so I have a deep understanding of the region’s attractions and detailed information.
Of course, I myself love to travel. When I was in my twenties, I traveled the world with my backpack. That experience still helps me to know what the challenging and adventurous traveler is looking for! Even though I live in the countryside, I still visit as many spots as I can and enjoy discovering new things. Additionally, I love to enjoy anime, manga, hot springs, and good food 😉
What is Inaka Days?
“Inaka” means the countryside in English.
On this site, I would like to introduce Inaka as it is and the idyllic life unique to rural areas to non-Japanese speakers in an easy-to-understand manner, focusing on tourist information in Wakayama Prefecture and its suburbs, where I live.
My husband is a foreign national. He speaks Japanese quite fluently, but as I go about my daily life with him, I am keenly aware that consideration for foreign residents and visitors in the countryside is still lacking.
While foreign language support is commonplace in urban areas these days, the reality is that in many rural areas, such support is not adequately considered. In tourist areas and areas where foreign language opportunities are not as common as in large cities, many residents are not exposed to foreign languages on a daily basis, and therefore often lack understanding and response to foreign visitors and immigrants.
Especially in rural areas, it is difficult for many foreigners to integrate into local communities due to differences in culture and customs, and it is not easy to obtain necessary information. They often experience inconvenience in their daily lives due to delays in the transmission of information and other problems caused by these factors.
Is there anything I can do to help foreigners who are staying in Japan with such frustration? I have been thinking about this for a long time, seeing members of my family living in exactly such a situation, struggling day by day.
For example, it may be difficult to significantly improve administrative procedures or the response system at medical institutions on an individual level. However I thought that if we could at least inform people of local detailed information and make them aware of the situation and precautions in advance, they would be a little more prepared and feel more comfortable visiting or living this country.
To help visitors to Wakayama or any Inaka in Japan take the first step without anxiety, this website provides easy-to-understand information about local attractions and daily life in Inaka to help you have an enjoyable time.
What is Wakayama?
The area where I was born, raised, and still live today is called “Wakayama Prefecture” and is blessed with natural beauty and a rich history. Wakayama is dotted with attractive sightseeing spots such as Koyasan (Mt.Koya), which is registered as a World Heritage site, the Kumano Kodo. (pilgrimage route), and the Kii Peninsula with its beautiful coastline. You can check general information about this region on the official Wakayama Travel Guide.
In Wakayama, visitors can experience historical heritage and traditional culture, as well as enjoy the varied scenery of the four seasons. Cherry blossoms in spring, the blue sea in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter – each season is exceptional in its beauty and adds color to daily life. Surrounded by mountains and the sea, you can experience many moments of peace and tranquility as you spend time here, feeling the breath of nature on your skin. The serenity of this place and the peaceful flow of time, which I cannot experience in the city, always heals my heart.
In the process of traveling many other countries, I experienced firsthand the wonders of many countries and enjoyed encounters with many different cultures and people. However, among them, this Wakayama region in particular offers a simple peacefulness and a deep sense of happiness that cannot be expressed in words, which I cannot find anywhere else. Spending time here, away from the busyness of life and surrounded by nature, always gives me a sense of calm and stability.
For those who want to live in Wakayama
I hope that more people will experience the charm of this wonderful Inaka in a friendly way. We hope you will visit this place with its rich natural environment, warm local people, and deep sense of Japanese culture.
If there are any foreign people who are interested in living in Wakayama, I would like to provide useful information. If you have any local information that you would like to know, please feel free to Contact me.
We dream of those wonderful days when more and more foreign tourists and residents visit this region and we ourselves can enjoy their interaction. We sincerely hope that through new encounters and multicultural exchanges, the region will become even more vibrant, and that we can learn from each other and share rich moments together.
I sincerely hope that your time in Wakayama/ Japan will be a wonderful experience for you!