Japan is having a journey heyday proper now – and rightfully so – it’s an unimaginable nation.  In truth, it’s one among my favourite international locations to journey to. Nevertheless, in my quest to seek out the lesser-traveled locations wherever I am going, I spent a number of time in Japan off the crushed 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 stay within the shadows of Japan, which few worldwide guests find out about.

Overtourism in Japan

In accordance with the Japan Tourism Company, the variety of guests to Japan has returned to pre-pandemic ranges, with over 17 million folks 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 surroundings and disrupt the lives of locals. 

Vacationers in Japan additionally are inclined to flock to Mt. Fuji.  Nevertheless, so many individuals climbed the long-lasting Mt. Fuji, queues have been on the high, and the surroundings was broken.

This has led the Japanese Tourism Company to create measures to ease this overtourism. They lately designated 11 places 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 couple 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 fashionable ones.

I hope you possibly can expertise a extra tranquil, much less populated facet 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 beneath.  Some are extra hidden than others, however all of them are nice choices so as to add to any Japan itinerary so as to you’ll want to expertise the slower, lesser-known facet 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 possibly can journey by means of which are 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 Overwhelmed Path Suggestions

Tokachi – Hokkaido Prefecture

We’ll begin on the northernmost a part of Japan – Hokkaido. Most individuals persist 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 biggest metropolis in Tokachi is Obihiro, the place I used to be based mostly throughout my go to. 

Issues to do in Tokachi off the Overwhelmed Path

Let’s be actual – just by going to Tokachi, you might be far off the crushed path.  Only a few worldwide guests ever go to right here, which suggests it feels untouched in a manner. 

It’s price 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, you’ll want 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.

For those who like mixology or Japanese Whiskey, then be sure you 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 methods. We may solely talk by means of 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 facet 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 provide vacationers cultural experiences to raised perceive the unique Japanese historical past.

Be sure to get out into the agricultural areas that Tokachi is legendary for through a cycle tour by means of the agricultural countryside. You possibly can expertise Tokachi’s uniqueness with all 5 senses as you meet farmers, stroll by means of 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 purple coloration, and it’s recognized to depart the pores and skin feeling mushy and clean.  

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 practice.

Tohoku Area

The Tohoku area includes the six northernmost prefectures on Japan’s primary island: Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Sendai, Yamagata, and Fukushima. Only a few overseas guests get lost the crushed path to Tohoku, so that you’ll get pleasure from being an anomaly.

The world boasts nice pure magnificence and an abundance of pure assets, corresponding to scrumptious contemporary seafood. There are numerous sights to see, like essentially 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 folks 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 mountain 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 Overwhelmed Path

Probably the greatest 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 presents 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 essentially the most highly effective coastal fantastic thing about any coastal panorama in Japan. This was my favourite hike as a part of the Michinoku Coastal Path!

Along with mountain climbing sections of the coastal path, you may also bike it in lots of areas, corresponding to the world round Rikuzentakata Metropolis. You possibly can pedal by means of rice fields and untouched coastlines – an actual hidden gem in Tohoku.

You can’t spend time in Tohoku with out paying homage to the 2011 tsunami that devastated the area. To be taught extra concerning the catastrophe and, most significantly, the resiliency of the folks 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 keen about native assets and goals to develop the native meals tradition. Dishes that carry out the goodness of the components 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 new and juicy menchikatsu is wealthy and stuffed with taste!

Get pleasure from getting within the water at Jodogahama Seaside and Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction) Nationwide Park.  Cease in on the customer middle and stroll alongside the boardwalk to view the gorgeous white rocks within the sea. The water is a good looking turquoise and ideal for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or swimming! I took a kayak tour, permitting us to stand up near the bizarre rock formations.

If you’re on the lookout for a surprising place off the crushed 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 surprising panorama with an impressive snow-capped Zao Mountains backdrop.

Learn how to Get to Tohoku:

Tohoku Shinkansen is a bullet practice 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 Move for this practice.

Yanaka Neighborhood Tokyo

Contemplating Tokyo is the most well-liked place for vacationers, it’s laborious to seek out hidden locations in Tokyo – however it’s doable! Welcome to the Yanaka neighborhood.

This historic neighborhood situated within the Taito ward of Tokyo, Japan is thought for its conventional, old-world environment.  It’s fashionable to go to if you wish to expertise the ‘outdated Tokyo’.  Fortunately, not many vacationers need to see Outdated Tokyo – they’d slightly persist with the glitzy areas.

Yanaka can also be recognized for its massive inhabitants of stray cats. Some locals and organizations have taken steps to take care of these cats, making it a well-liked vacation spot for cat lovers like me!

Issues to do in Yanaka off the Overwhelmed Path

Take a meals tour in Yanaka from Arigato Meals Excursions and hit most of the areas listed beneath.  I did this final time in Tokyo and fell in love with the neighborhood. Plus – I discovered a lot about Japanese meals and eating places that I may make the most of as I traveled all through Japan!

Wander the Yanaka Ginza Procuring Avenue. The pedestrian-friendly procuring avenue 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 means of this stunning area 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 stuffed with vintage tea utensils and pottery.  Nevertheless, wander upstairs and you’ll discover a distinctive little tea room. Right here you possibly can expertise an genuine Japanese tea ceremony. The most effective half is that they make the most of vintage teapots and cups, and so they change in every season.

Scai the Bathhouse: This modern artwork gallery is housed in a renovated public bathhouse and options varied modern artwork exhibitions. For those who like modern artwork – you’ll undoubtedly need to cease right here.

Find out about my different Tokyo off the Overwhelmed Path suggestions

Learn how to Get to Yanaka

You possibly can attain Yanaka simply utilizing public transportation. The closest practice station to Yanaka is Nippori Station, which is well-connected to the remainder of Tokyo through the JR Strains.

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 occasions, and most of the vestiges are nonetheless seen within the again alleys and outlying areas.

It’s most likely finest recognized for its fortress, inbuilt 1504.  The unique moats and stone partitions nonetheless stay intact. The fortress was one among my favourite issues to go to on this space so don’t miss it!

Issues to do in Matsumoto off the Overwhelmed Path

Tour the Matsumoto Citadel:  Matsumoto Citadel is one among 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 ideas allowed).  I liked our information and discovered a lot. It’s a good way to see the fortress and be taught concerning the historical past of the samuari there.  They function year-round from 10:00 to fifteen:00 each day.

Matsumoto Metropolis Museum of Artwork:  Get pleasure from 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 practice experience from Matsumoto, this farm is a delight to stroll round and study how wasabi is farmed and utilized in Japan. Be sure to plan your go to round lunch so as to strive the various completely different dishes that embrace wasabi…even ice cream! Plus you possibly can add a enjoyable bike experience to this outing from the practice station to the farm and again.  It’s actually scenic and beautiful to do on a pleasant day.

Timepiece Museum:  Get pleasure from timepieces of all sizes and styles from all around the world. You can’t miss the doorway with a large pendulum clock on the skin 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 possibly can journey by bus.

Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture

Shirakawago was named a UNESCO World Heritage Web site in 1995. This tiny village is stuffed with conventional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, lots of that are 250 years outdated.  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 surprising overview of the valley and the Japanese Alps. You possibly can go to the outdated village surroundings for a day or keep in a single day in a thatch house Ryokan. They even have pure scorching springs you possibly can get pleasure from whereas staying in Shirakawago.

Learn how to Get There to Shirakawago

There are a number of each day specific bus companies to and from Shirakawa-go from Takayama or Kanazawa. Nevertheless, within the winter months, it may be laborious to get to as typically 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 outdated city has been fantastically preserved and it’s what makes this city so particular. There’s additionally a lot of shrines and museums dedicated to crafts, outdated life, and different native traditions.

Issues to do in Takayama off the Overwhelmed Path

Stroll round San-machi Suji (Outdated City).  The colourful slender streets are stuffed with outdated buildings, craftsman workshops, conventional shops, eating places, and sake breweries. That is the proper alternative to essentially benefit from the outdated 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 manufactured from cedar hanging outdoors the store.

Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine: At this advanced, you’ll want to cease on the Takayama Yatai Kaikan, a museum that homes some examples of the floats paraded twice yearly by means of the streets as a part of the spring and autumn festivals.

Hida Beef: Be sure to strive the well-known Hida beef. It’s one among Japan’s particular kinds 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 if you happen to 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 practice is the easiest way to get to Takayama until 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 probably the most distant areas in Japan.  It’s much less of a valley and extra of a steep and deep river gorge.   Many of the panorama is inaccessible, traditionally making it an ideal place for feuding clans to cover within the late twelfth century.

There’s not one straight street within the Iya Valley.  In truth – my finest tip is to carry Dramamine. The entire roads appear to be perched on the steep hills with sharp drop-offs to the river gorge beneath. Nevertheless, with all of this ruggedness, comes an immense quantity of magnificence. 

Issues to do in Iya Valley off the Overwhelmed Path

The valley is stuffed with distinctive issues to do, however one of many high issues to expertise is a stroll over the kagura-bash (Vine Bridge) that crosses the Iya River. This was once utilized by the locals as a manner throughout the gorge, nonetheless right this moment it’s only for vacationers. You pay a small payment to cross the wobbly bridge, and it’s undoubtedly not for people who find themselves fearful 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 feels like a spot present in a horror film – however it’s an actual city – Nagoro in Iya Valley.  The streets, fields, and buildings are stuffed with a whole lot of life-size ‘dolls’ full of paper.  The scarecrows outnumber the residents, of whom there are solely 30. Wander across the village and you’ll want to go into the outdated major college for an uncommon sight.

In fact, in such a lush surroundings, there’s some nice mountain climbing to be performed.  Hike to the highest of the very best mountain in Tokushima Prefecture and second highest in western Japan, Mt Tsurugi. And when you find yourself completed, you possibly can get pleasure from one of many many scorching springs across the valley.

For a extremely distinctive onsen expertise at Lodge Iyaonsen, experience 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 best and commonest solution to attain the Iya Valley from elsewhere is through practice 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 house to essentially the most well-known shrines in Shikoku, historic websites, and cultural belongings, making it a terrific place to walk by means of historical past. Regardless that there are a good variety of memento retailers and guests, I nonetheless take into account it off the crushed path as a result of most of these guests are Japanese vacationers.  You won’t discover many worldwide guests in Kotohira.  

Issues to do in Kotohira off the Overwhelmed 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 way in which, which supplies plenty of little relaxation breaks.  You possibly can even cease and have lunch alongside the way in which if you’d like!

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. Nevertheless, you’ll must climb 583 extra stairs to get to the interior shrine and greet the deity!

Go to Kanamaruza Theater, a standard Kabuki theater situated close to Kompira-san Shrine. Inbuilt 1835, the shrine has been meticulously preserved and continues to be used right this moment. Even if you happen to don’t watch a efficiency, you possibly can 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 mushy 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 won’t discover anyplace else?  Take a Sanuki udon noodle-making class. You’ll be taught all of the steps to make your individual udon noodles and even get to eat them on the finish. Nevertheless – be ready for some surprises alongside the way in which.  The category is kind of half cooking class, half Japanese recreation present.  I assure that you’ll 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 practice to both JR Kotohira or Kotoden Kotohira Station through Takamatsu-Chikko Station, subsequent to Takamatsu Citadel. 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 the best way to evaluate costs and timetables. Nevertheless, 12Go helps you evaluate completely different modes of transportation in Japan simply from their web site or cell app. You possibly can search on dates and places 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 Overwhelmed Path Journey

I’ve utilized a couple of firms focusing on creating itineraries that expose you to Japan’s hidden gems. As well as, I’ve discovered a couple of of my very own!

I design Japan itineraries that may take you off the crushed path on a custom-made foundation. Let me know your pursuits, timeframe, and finances, and I’ll put collectively a customized itinerary together with details about Japan transportation and ideas. To be taught extra, contact me at [email protected]

Oku Japan makes a speciality of Japan off the crushed path and mountain climbing in Japan. I’ve performed a few excursions with them, together with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, and love the distinctive experiences they provide with locals, corresponding 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. Visitors might want to enter the code within the ‘Notes and Particular Requests’ discipline 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 presents a wealth of charming experiences past its well-known vacationer locations. Venturing off the crushed path to any of those eight locations permits vacationers to uncover hidden gems, immerse themselves in genuine cultural encounters, and witness the fantastic 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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