Japan is having a journey heyday proper now – and rightfully so – it’s an unimaginable nation. In actual fact, it’s considered one of my favourite nations to journey to. Nonetheless, in my quest to search out the lesser-traveled locations wherever I’m going, I spent a whole lot of time in Japan off the overwhelmed path on a number of journeys to Japan!
I’ll provide you with concepts on going past the standard Tokyo to Kyoto route and getting away from the crowds. I’ll introduce you to some favourite hidden gems from my travels in Japan, from the gorgeous Iya Valley in Shikoku to the horse tradition of Tokachi to the snow-capped Japanese Alps and the wild shoreline of Tohoku. These locations reside within the shadows of Japan, which few worldwide guests learn about.
Overtourism in Japan
In keeping with the Japan Tourism Company, the variety of guests to Japan has returned to pre-pandemic ranges, with over 17 million individuals visiting between January and September 2023. The draw back to those guests is that they have an inclination to flock to all the identical cities; Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. These cities are phenomenal; nonetheless, they’re crowded. The inflow of vacationers additionally brings elevated petty crime, waste administration points, noise air pollution, and overcrowding, which might negatively have an effect on the setting and disrupt the lives of locals.
Vacationers in Japan additionally are likely to flock to Mt. Fuji. Nonetheless, so many individuals climbed the enduring Mt. Fuji, queues have been on the prime, and the setting was broken.
This has led the Japanese Tourism Company to create measures to ease this overtourism. They not too long ago designated 11 areas throughout the nation as “mannequin tourism locations“, hoping to encourage abroad guests to discover past metropolitan areas whereas within the nation.
In that vein, I too have recognized a number of of my favourite Japan off-the-beaten-path locations! Discovering distinctive journey experiences and lesser-traveled areas on the earth is my specialty. After in depth journeys to Japan, I’ve all the time loved these smaller villages, and lesser-known prefectures to the extra standard ones.
I hope you’ll be able to expertise a extra tranquil, much less populated aspect of Japan that immerses you additional into its distinctive Japanese tradition.
Add These Hidden Gems to Your Japan Itinerary
I haven’t been in all places in Japan, however I’ve been to every of the locations listed under. Some are extra hidden than others, however all of them are nice choices so as to add to any Japan itinerary in an effort to remember to expertise the slower, lesser-known aspect of Japan along with locations like Tokyo and Kyoto. Really – I additionally supplied an off-the-beaten-path Tokyo neighborhood on this checklist!
A few of these locations are very particular areas inside a prefecture, and a few are bigger areas you’ll be able to journey by which can be much less traveled as an entire. Due to Japan’s unimaginable transit choices – all of those lesser-known locations are accessible by public transit. Isn’t that unimaginable?!
Map of Japan Off the Crushed Path Suggestions
Tokachi – Hokkaido Prefecture
We’ll begin on the northernmost a part of Japan – Hokkaido. Most individuals keep on with Sapporo, the capital metropolis of Hokkaido prefecture. Tokachi is an space of southeastern Hokkaido surrounded by nationwide parks. It felt just like the Midwest of Japan with its landscapes dotted with small farms. The most important metropolis in Tokachi is Obihiro, the place I used to be primarily based throughout my go to.
Issues to do in Tokachi off the Crushed Path
Let’s be actual – just by going to Tokachi, you’re far off the overwhelmed path. Only a few worldwide guests ever go to right here, which suggests it feels untouched in a approach.
It’s value spending a day or so simply testing Obihiro with its pretty parks and the Obihiro Metropolis Museum. Plus, since Obihiro is legendary for its meals, remember to strive “buta-don” (pork rice bowl), a neighborhood specialty. Additionally, strive “katsu-don” (breaded pork cutlet over rice) at one of many metropolis’s many eating places.
In the event you like mixology or Japanese Whiskey, then be sure to cease at A Glass Shot Bar. You’ll meet the proprietor and award-winning bartender there, who mesmerized me together with his mixology expertise and strategies. We might solely talk by Google Translate and some props.
If you’re on the lookout for one thing distinctive, Banei Horse Racing is the one race of its sort on the earth and takes place in Obihiro. Giant draft horses race on a particular course in a 200 m straight line whereas pulling an iron sled that weighs as much as 1 ton. And to make it much more particular, spectators can run and cheer on the aspect of the course with the horse.
That is additionally a terrific probability to expertise extra of the Ainu indigenous tradition that exists in Hokkaido. The native Obihiro Ainu tradition preservation society is beginning to supply vacationers cultural experiences to higher perceive the unique Japanese historical past.
Be sure you get out into the agricultural areas that Tokachi is legendary for through a cycle tour by the agricultural countryside. You possibly can expertise Tokachi’s uniqueness with all 5 senses as you meet farmers, stroll by the fields, and style the native produce, all whereas touring by bike.
Don’t miss your alternative to soak in a uncommon moor scorching spring in Tokachi. Tokachigawa Onsen is a “moor scorching springs” with a excessive content material of natural substances, together with crops. Its excessive ranges of natural plant matter give the water a brown and pink coloration, and it’s recognized to go away the pores and skin feeling gentle and easy.
Learn how to Get to Tokachi
The Tokachi space could be accessed from Tokyo or by public transport from Sapporo.
Fly from Tokyo to Tokachi-Obihiro Airport. It takes half-hour by automobile or 40 minutes by bus to Obihiro Station from the airport. It takes round three hours from Chitose Airport or Sapporo Station to succeed in Obihiro Station by prepare.
Tohoku Area
The Tohoku area contains the six northernmost prefectures on Japan’s essential island: Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Sendai, Yamagata, and Fukushima. Only a few overseas guests wander away the overwhelmed path to Tohoku, so that you’ll take pleasure in being an anomaly.
The realm boasts nice pure magnificence and an abundance of pure sources, akin to scrumptious recent seafood. There are a lot of sights to see, like probably the most stunning cliffs in Japan, the marvelous surroundings of the Ria shoreline, the sheer abundance of the world’s third-largest fishing grounds, and extra. As well as, the individuals on this area are so welcoming – it’s why I name it the Land of Waves.
I visited Tohoku to take a look at Japan’s latest long-distance climbing route, the Michinoku Coastal Path, a 1000+ km path. The paved roads and forest trails tie collectively a area that joined in concord to rebuild after the 2011 East Japan earthquake and tsunami. It’s a terrific addition to Japan’s different historic pilgrimage routes. Evidently – there’s loads of journey in Tohoku alongside the coastal path!
Issues to do in Tohoku off the Crushed Path
Top-of-the-line hikes from the long-distance Michinoku Coastal Path is the Urato Islands of Matsushima Bay. The islands haven’t been developed as a vacationer vacation spot, and guests can benefit from the conventional tranquil Sanriku island surroundings. As well as, the bay provides gorgeous surroundings consisting of oddly formed rocks eroded by the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Take a ship to see them up shut!
For an actual problem, hike the Kitayamazaki Cliffs. The 200-meter-tall sheer cliffs boast probably the most highly effective coastal great thing about any coastal panorama in Japan. This was my favourite hike as a part of the Michinoku Coastal Path!
Along with climbing sections of the coastal path, you may as well bike it in lots of areas, akin to the realm round Rikuzentakata Metropolis. You possibly can pedal by rice fields and untouched coastlines – an actual hidden gem in Tohoku.
You possibly can’t spend time in Tohoku with out paying homage to the 2011 tsunami that devastated the area. To study extra in regards to the catastrophe and, most significantly, the resiliency of the individuals within the area – cease on the Iwate Tsunami Memorial in Rikuzentakata Metropolis.
L’aureole Tanohata restaurant is actually hidden, tucked in between the bushes and cliffs of the Rias Coast. At lunchtime, L’OreoleTanohata is a well-liked restaurant opened by a Japanese chef (French-trained) who’s obsessed with native sources and goals to develop the native meals tradition. Dishes that convey out the goodness of the elements themselves with out pointless seasoning convey the richness of the land.
Take a look at Soma Metropolis the place the path begins. You possibly can discover the Nakamura Shrine and check out some scrumptious Soma beef Menchikatsu right here. It’s beef that’s deep-fried on the spot when ordered! The recent and juicy menchikatsu is wealthy and stuffed with taste!
Take pleasure in getting within the water at Jodogahama Seaside and Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction) Nationwide Park. Cease in on the customer heart and stroll alongside the boardwalk to view the gorgeous white rocks within the sea. The water is a gorgeous turquoise and ideal for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or swimming! I took a kayak tour, permitting us to rise up near the bizarre rock formations.
If you’re on the lookout for a shocking place off the overwhelmed path to expertise cherry blossom season, plan to go to Hitome Senbonzakura alongside the Shiroishi River within the southern a part of Miyagi Prefecture. Right here you’ll discover 8 kilometers of cherry blossom bushes alongside the river embankment, creating a shocking panorama with an impressive snow-capped Zao Mountains backdrop.
Learn how to Get to Tohoku:
Tohoku Shinkansen is a bullet prepare that connects Tokyo with Aomori on the northern tip of Honshu. The Tohoku Shinkansen is operated by JR East. You possibly can make the most of the JR Go for this prepare.
Yanaka Neighborhood Tokyo
Contemplating Tokyo is the most well-liked place for vacationers, it’s laborious to search out hidden locations in Tokyo – however it’s doable! Welcome to the Yanaka neighborhood.
This historic neighborhood positioned within the Taito ward of Tokyo, Japan is understood for its conventional, old-world environment. It’s standard to go to if you wish to expertise the ‘previous Tokyo’. Fortunately, not many vacationers wish to see Outdated Tokyo – they’d relatively keep on with the glitzy areas.
Yanaka can also be recognized for its giant inhabitants of stray cats. Some locals and organizations have taken steps to look after these cats, making it a well-liked vacation spot for cat lovers like me!
Issues to do in Yanaka off the Crushed Path
Take a meals tour in Yanaka from Arigato Meals Excursions and hit most of the areas listed under. I did this final time in Tokyo and fell in love with the neighborhood. Plus – I realized a lot about Japanese meals and eating places that I might make the most of as I traveled all through Japan!
Wander the Yanaka Ginza Buying Road. The pedestrian-friendly purchasing road is lined with small retailers, cafes, and eating places. It’s a terrific place to discover and check out conventional Japanese snacks and souvenirs.
The Yanaka cemetery is a resting place for a lot of historic figures and a peaceable space with cherry blossoms in spring and colourful foliage in autumn. Take a stroll by this stunning house stuffed with 7000 gravesites, and stone paths, and soak within the peaceable environment.
Nezu Shrine: A Shinto shrine with stunning vermilion gates, a pond, and a well-manicured backyard. It’s a serene spot for guests to discover.
Take part in a tea ceremony. The primary flooring of Gallery Okubo is full of vintage tea utensils and pottery. Nonetheless, wander upstairs and also you’ll discover a distinctive little tea room. Right here you’ll be able to expertise an genuine Japanese tea ceremony. One of the best half is that they make the most of vintage teapots and cups, they usually change in every season.
Scai the Bathhouse: This up to date artwork gallery is housed in a renovated public bathhouse and options numerous up to date artwork exhibitions. In the event you like up to date artwork – you’ll positively wish to cease right here.
Study my different Tokyo off the Crushed Path suggestions
Learn how to Get to Yanaka
You possibly can attain Yanaka simply utilizing public transportation. The closest prepare station to Yanaka is Nippori Station, which is well-connected to the remainder of Tokyo through the JR Traces.
Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture
Matsumoto will not be essentially a small city however extra of a lesser-visited city. The peaks of the Japanese Alps could be seen within the distance. Though the middle of city is fairly fashionable, town retains a lot of its heritage from olden instances, and most of the vestiges are nonetheless seen within the again alleys and outlying areas.
It’s most likely finest recognized for its fortress, in-built 1504. The unique moats and stone partitions nonetheless stay intact. The fortress was considered one of my favourite issues to go to on this space so don’t miss it!
Issues to do in Matsumoto off the Crushed Path
Tour the Matsumoto Fortress: Matsumoto Fortress is considered one of 5 castles designated as ‘Nationwide Treasures of Japan’ and the oldest five-tiered, six-story fortress tower remaining in Japan. You’ll discover a small stand close to the fortress entrance that homes English-speaking tour guides. They’re volunteers and their companies are free (no suggestions allowed). I beloved our information and realized a lot. It’s an effective way to see the fortress and study in regards to the historical past of the samuari there. They function year-round from 10:00 to fifteen:00 every day.
Matsumoto Metropolis Museum of Artwork: Take pleasure in conventional Japanese calligraphy and fashionable artwork. The museum actually focuses on native expertise together with Yayoi Kusama and her well-known works.
Go to Daio Wasabi Farm – A brief prepare journey from Matsumoto, this farm is a delight to stroll round and find out about how wasabi is farmed and utilized in Japan. Be sure you plan your go to round lunch in an effort to strive the various completely different dishes that embrace wasabi…even ice cream! Plus you’ll be able to add a enjoyable bike journey to this outing from the prepare station to the farm and again. It’s actually scenic and beautiful to do on a pleasant day.
Timepiece Museum: Take pleasure in timepieces of all sizes and styles from everywhere in the world. You possibly can’t miss the doorway with a large pendulum clock on the surface of the constructing.
Learn how to Get to Matsumoto
Matsumoto is well accessible through JR strains from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station, Nagoya, and Nagano Metropolis. Or if you’re coming from Takayama, you’ll be able to journey by bus.
Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture
Shirakawago was named a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1995. This tiny village is full of conventional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, lots of that are 250 years previous. They’re recognized for his or her thatched sloped roofs.
Take a stroll across the homes, a few of which have museums inside. Make sure you cease on the Wada home and the Shiroyama viewpoint for a shocking overview of the valley and the Japanese Alps. You possibly can go to the previous village setting for a day or keep in a single day in a thatch residence Ryokan. They even have pure scorching springs you’ll be able to take pleasure in whereas staying in Shirakawago.
Learn how to Get There to Shirakawago
There are a number of every day categorical bus companies to and from Shirakawa-go from Takayama or Kanazawa. Nonetheless, within the winter months, it may be laborious to get to as generally it will get snowed in!
Takayama in Gifu Prefecture
This charming of-the-beaten-path small city is surrounded by peaks of the Japanese Alps. The previous city has been superbly preserved and it’s what makes this city so particular. There may be additionally numerous shrines and museums dedicated to crafts, previous existence, and different native traditions.
Issues to do in Takayama off the Crushed Path
Stroll round San-machi Suji (Outdated City). The colourful slim streets are stuffed with previous buildings, craftsman workshops, conventional shops, eating places, and sake breweries. That is the proper alternative to essentially benefit from the previous structure.
Sake Breweries: Talking of sake breweries, Takayama is a good place to do a extra in-depth sake tasting. You’ll acknowledge the sake breweries indicated by a ball made from cedar hanging exterior the store.
Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine: At this complicated, remember to cease on the Takayama Yatai Kaikan, a museum that homes some examples of the floats paraded twice yearly by the streets as a part of the spring and autumn festivals.
Hida Beef: Be sure you strive the well-known Hida beef. It’s considered one of Japan’s particular sorts of finely branded beef recognized for its distinctive aroma, texture, and style. It additionally has elaborate marbling, giving it excessive juiciness when cooked. Many native eating places serve it however strive it at Kitchen Hida in case you can.
Learn how to Get to Takayama
Takayama is straightforward to entry from the primary cities of Honshu like Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka or Kyoto. The prepare is one of the best ways to get to Takayama except you’re coming from Kanazawa, by which case a bus is your finest wager.
Iya Valley – Shikoku Tokushima Prefecture
The Iya Valley is sometimes called some of the distant areas in Japan. It’s much less of a valley and extra of a steep and deep river gorge. A lot of the panorama is inaccessible, traditionally making it an ideal place for feuding clans to cover within the late twelfth century.
There may be not one straight highway within the Iya Valley. In actual fact – my finest tip is to convey Dramamine. All the roads appear to be perched on the steep hills with sharp drop-offs to the river gorge under. Nonetheless, with all of this ruggedness, comes an immense quantity of magnificence.
Issues to do in Iya Valley off the Crushed Path
The valley is full of distinctive issues to do, however one of many prime issues to expertise is a stroll over the kagura-bash (Vine Bridge) that crosses the Iya River. This was utilized by the locals as a approach throughout the gorge, nonetheless at present it’s only for vacationers. You pay a small price to cross the wobbly bridge, and it’s positively not for people who find themselves terrified of heights! Its vines are changed each 3 years, and metal cables are laced contained in the vines for security.
If vine bridges weren’t uncommon sufficient, take a look at Iya Valley’s Scarecrow Village. Sure – that seems like a spot present in a horror film – however it’s an actual city – Nagoro in Iya Valley. The streets, fields, and buildings are full of lots of of life-size ‘dolls’ filled with paper. The scarecrows outnumber the residents, of whom there are solely 30. Wander across the village and remember to go into the previous main college for an uncommon sight.
In fact, in such a lush setting, there’s some nice climbing to be finished. Hike to the highest of the best mountain in Tokushima Prefecture and second highest in western Japan, Mt Tsurugi. And if you end up completed, you’ll be able to take pleasure in one of many many scorching springs across the valley.
For a extremely distinctive onsen expertise at Resort Iyaonsen, journey a cable automobile right down to the river on the backside of the gorge to benefit from the pure scorching springs.
Learn how to Get to the Iya Valley
The simplest and commonest strategy to attain the Iya Valley from elsewhere is through prepare to JR Oboke Station. Restricted Categorical trains go to/from right here about as soon as an hour and most native buses head out from right here.
Kotohira – Shikoku Kagawa Prefecture
Kotohira is residence to probably the most well-known shrines in Shikoku, historic websites, and cultural belongings, making it a terrific place to walk by historical past. Despite the fact that there are a good variety of memento retailers and guests, I nonetheless think about it off the overwhelmed path as a result of most of these guests are Japanese vacationers. You gained’t discover many worldwide guests in Kotohira.
Issues to do in Kotohira off the Crushed Path
The climb to Kotohiragu Shrine is memorable and difficult. There are 785 steps to get to the primary shrine, however there’s a lot to see alongside the best way, which offers a number of little relaxation breaks. You possibly can even cease and have lunch alongside the best way if you need!
When you attain the highest, discover the a number of shrines, ponds, and gardens, and absorb the panoramic views of the city. And if you wish to see an actual hidden gem, then stroll additional to the 2nd temple. Nonetheless, you’ll should climb 583 extra stairs to get to the internal shrine and greet the deity!
Go to Kanamaruza Theater, a conventional Kabuki theater positioned close to Kompira-san Shrine. Inbuilt 1835, the shrine has been meticulously preserved and continues to be used at present. Even in case you don’t watch a efficiency, you’ll be able to go to the theater to understand its historic and architectural significance. I didn’t get to see a efficiency, nonetheless, the tour backstage was fascinating.
One of the vital distinctive issues I did whereas in Kotohira was strive their two well-known ice cream cone treats. Get a cone with Oiri (Japanese sweet) on it. The colourful spherical candies are mild and candy – like cereal in your gentle serve cone. Or, if you’re actually adventurous, strive the soy sauce ice cream with inexperienced onions. I can’t say it was my favourite, however I used to be glad I attempted it!
Are you prepared for a cooking expertise you gained’t discover wherever else? Take a Sanuki udon noodle-making class. You’ll study all of the steps to make your individual udon noodles and even get to eat them on the finish. Nonetheless – be ready for some surprises alongside the best way. The category is kind of half cooking class, half Japanese recreation present. I assure that you should have enjoyable, and have a scrumptious lunch!
Learn how to Get to Kotohira
Kotohira is accessible from Takamatsu Airport on Shikoku or from Okayama Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen. From Takamatsu Station, take a prepare to both JR Kotohira or Kotoden Kotohira Station through Takamatsu-Chikko Station, subsequent to Takamatsu Fortress. Each journeys take about an hour.
Make the most of 12Go to Get to Japan’s Hidden Gems
With so many public transportation choices to get round Japan, it may be complicated to determine easy methods to evaluate costs and timetables. Nonetheless, 12Go helps you evaluate completely different modes of transportation in Japan simply from their web site or cellular app. You possibly can search on dates and areas and discover the entire choices and e book proper from the location – together with buses, ferries, trains, hotel-airport switch, and extra.
Learn how to Plan Your Japan Off the Crushed Path Journey
I’ve utilized a number of corporations focusing on creating itineraries that expose you to Japan’s hidden gems. As well as, I’ve discovered a number of of my very own!
I design Japan itineraries that may take you off the overwhelmed path on a personalized foundation. Let me know your pursuits, timeframe, and funds, and I’ll put collectively a customized itinerary together with details about Japan transportation and suggestions. To study extra, contact me at [email protected]
Oku Japan focuses on Japan off the overwhelmed path and climbing in Japan. I’ve finished a few excursions with them, together with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, and love the distinctive experiences they provide with locals, akin to indigo dying, alternatives to satisfy monks, and extra. They function guided, self-guided, and customized excursions round communities deep within the countryside that protect the traditions of the previous.
You may get a 5% low cost off Oku Japan bookings once you use the code OTTSWORLD5. Friends might want to enter the code within the ‘Notes and Particular Requests’ area after they e book on OkuJapan.com to have the low cost utilized.
Inside Japan Excursions can also be a terrific tour firm with nice guides who will immerse you within the hidden gems of Japan.
Expertise Japan Much less Traveled
Japan provides a wealth of fascinating experiences past its well-known vacationer locations. Venturing off the overwhelmed path to any of those eight locations permits vacationers to uncover hidden gems, immerse themselves in genuine cultural encounters, and witness the great thing about Japan’s less-explored areas. By stepping away from the vacationer crowds and embracing the serendipity of discovery, vacationers can forge deeper connections with the nation’s wealthy historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence, making their go to to Japan unforgettable.
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