Hashima

Hashima is a small city on the Nobi Plain in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, where the wide Kiso River sets the pace of life. It grew up on the textile trade, and today it is best known as the home of Gifu-Hashima station, the shinkansen's quiet stop between Nagoya and Kyoto.

Takehana Betsuin, the Buddhist temple at the heart of the old town, anchors a walkable center of lanes and small shops. The riverbanks are the other draw; locals fish and picnic along the levees, and cyclists follow the paths for kilometers. Small museums cover the city's textile past.

Hashima suits travelers who want a low-key base with fast connections: Nagoya and Gifu City sit within easy train reach, and rooms are easier to find than in the big cities. Spring brings blossoms to the riverbanks, and summer evenings cool off over the water. It is a stopover town that rewards an unhurried stroll.