Neba, village in Shimoina district, Nagano prefecture, Japan
Neba is a small village in Shimoina district of Nagano prefecture, Japan, featuring narrow streets and wooden and stone houses that are old but well-maintained. The village is surrounded by hills and forests with tall green trees and distant mountains shaping its landscape.
The village was formed in 1875 when two smaller villages, Neba and Tsukuse, merged together. People there have lived mainly from farming and forest work, a pattern that has continued for more than 140 years.
The name Neba comes from one of two villages that merged in 1875. Residents celebrate local festivals with songs and dances passed down through generations, wearing traditional clothes and sharing food together to honor their community and past.
The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when weather is pleasant. Small traditional inns and guesthouses offer accommodation, and respecting local customs will help you appreciate the village's slow pace and locally grown food.
The village hall serves as a gathering place decorated with flowers and plants where residents meet and keep traditions alive. Walking through streets, you notice children playing and elderly people sitting outside their homes, showing how closely knit the community is.
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