Nishimeya, village in Nakatsugaru district, Aomori prefecture, Japan
Nishimeya is a small village in the Nakatsugaru District, situated at the edge of Shirakami Sanchi, a large mountain region covered mostly by ancient beech forests. The settlement spreads across a wide area with a low population, featuring simple scattered houses and narrow roads that wind through forests and open fields.
The village was controlled by the local Tsugaru clan during the samurai era and took its current form in the late 1800s following Japan's governmental reforms in the Meiji period. Forestry has shaped the region for generations and remains central to how people live and work here.
Nishimeya's name reflects its position in the mountains, and the village is rooted in traditions of forestry and seasonal celebration that show respect for nature. Locals practice ways of life that have been passed down for generations, working with the forests and observing rituals that honor the changing seasons and the land itself.
The village has limited public transportation access, with the nearest train station located in Hirosaki outside the area. Visitors should allow time for hiking and bring warm clothing, especially in winter when heavy snowfall can make conditions difficult for movement.
A local mountain guide named Mr. Kudo has walked through the Shirakami Sanchi forests for over 60 years and is also a traditional bear hunter known locally as a Matagi. His deep knowledge and stories offer rare insight into how local people have lived in connection with these forests for generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
