Shitara, Mountain town in Kitashitara district, Japan
Shitara is a mountain town spreading across forested slopes and rural valleys in northeastern Aichi Prefecture. Most of its area is covered in forest, with small settlements and fields fitting into the mountainous terrain.
The location came under direct Tokugawa shogunate control during the Edo period and took its present administrative form in 1956. This transformation marked a fundamental restructuring of how the local area was governed.
Farming has shaped life here for generations, with rice, tomatoes, cabbage, and daikon grown in mountain fields that define the landscape. These agricultural practices remain central to how residents spend their time and how the town looks throughout the year.
The area is partially designated as Tenryū-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park, protecting natural landscapes and offering hiking and nature exploration opportunities. Visitors should prepare for winding mountain roads and limited services in remote sections.
Sections of the area are protected within a quasi-national park, meaning vast forest stretches remain strictly managed yet open to exploration. This balance between preservation and access prevented intensive development from taking root.
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