There are places in Japan where you don’t just visit—you feel like you have stepped into another time. Ouchi-juku in Fukushima Prefecture is one of those places. Tucked away in the mountains of Shimogo Town, this historic village is famous for its rows of traditional thatched-roof houses and old-fashioned streetscape. The moment you arrive, it feels completely different from the modern cities of Japan. If you have heard of Shirakawa-go in Gifu and love the idea of exploring traditional Japanese villages, Ouchi-juku should be on your northern Japan itinerary. While the two villages are different, Ouchi-juku offers a similar feeling of traditional Japan, with beautifully preserved houses, local food, small…