Rural Japan

An intimate journey through the spiritual corners of Ichinohe, where Kagura dance, moss-covered shrines, and rural silence reveal a different way of experiencing faith.

Three towns. Three stories. One question: What’s next for the Japanese countryside? Around the world, big cities attract younger generations with promises of opportunity, culture, and connection, but facing overcrowding, overtourism, and skyrocketing living costs. Meanwhile, rural towns are shrinking, often overlooked and underimagined. This piece explores how small Japanese towns are rewriting that narrative with creativity, community, and bold ideas.

From Bogotá to the heart of Tohoku: this is the story of how I came to Ichinohe, a small town in northern Japan that I now call home. Amidst mountains, festivals, and ancient culture. I share my first impressions and the beginning of an adventure that's just beginning.