Exploring Japan's Off-Beat Paths: A Guide

how to take the road less traveled in japan

Japan is a country full of incredible destinations beyond the typical tourist trail. While Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima are popular for good reason, there are many other rewarding places to visit. Here is an introduction to taking the road less travelled in Japan.

For those seeking a unique and authentic experience, there are several off-the-beaten-path destinations in Japan. Rural areas offer lush mountains, island getaways, and quiet onsen towns with hot spring baths. One such place is Hakone National Park, less than 100 kilometres from Tokyo, with mountain views, a lake, and thermal springs. Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, boasts incredible natural beauty, including the Iya Valley with its dramatic peaks and the Dogo Onsen, the oldest hot springs in Japan. Kyushu, a favourite among the Japanese, offers food, natural scenery, and onsen, as well as the historic city of Nagasaki. Tohoku, in northern Japan, features the scenic Matsushima Bay and the historic cities of Kakunodate and Hirosaki.

For art lovers, Naoshima, a tiny fishing island turned creative art space, is a must-visit. History buffs will enjoy Kanazawa, which escaped destruction during World War II and retains its original structures, including samurai lodgings and geisha teahouses.

For a more laid-back and slower-paced experience, there are several destinations within easy reach of Tokyo. Komae, located just 23 minutes away, offers a lower population and a break from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Nasu, a two-hour drive from Tokyo, is known for its hot springs and strawberry farms. Takaoka, in the Toyama Prefecture, boasts nature sites like the Amaharashi Coast and the Daibutsu Buddha, as well as the famous cherry blossom season.

With its advanced technology and fast-developing cities, Japan also has a charming uncharted countryside. Motoyama, in the Shikoku District, is a nature lover's paradise, offering hiking trails and rice fields. Yamanashi prefecture is known for Mount Fuji and its pink cherry blossoms, as well as the Fuji Q Highland Amusement Park. Miyazaki prefecture features natural scenery, shrines, and museums, including the Heiwadai-koen & Udo Shrine and the Kirishima open-air museum.

Whether you're an adventure seeker or simply looking to escape the crowds, Japan's less-explored destinations are sure to delight and surprise you.

Characteristics Values
Cities Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kanazawa, Komae, Nasu, Takaoka, Takayama, Matsumoto, Miyajima, Motoyama, Kumamoto, Yokohama, Kobe, Himeji, Takamatsu, Kurashiki, Onomichi, Izumo, Matsue, Kamakura, Nara, and more
Regions Tohoku, Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu, Chugoku, Kansai, Chūbu, Nagano, Okinawa, Tottori, and more
Natural landmarks Mount Misen, Takachiho Gorge, Mount Shiraga, Kizenzan Park, Yoshinobu Rice Fields, Lake Yamanaka, Lake Motosu, Lake Kawaguchiko, Chureito Pagoda, Amaharashi Coast, Daibutsu Buddha, Mihashi Bridge, Sandan-Bashi, Mount Fuji, Ritsurin Koen, Iya Valley, Mount Koya, Dogo Onsen, Ritsurin Koen, Peeing Boy statue, Kinosaki Onsen, Seto Inland Sea, and more
Cultural landmarks Cup Noodle Museum, Toshogu Shrine, Edo Wonderland, Aogashima, Hachijojima, Osaka Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Himeji Castle, Wazuka Tea Plantation, Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, Okunoin Cemetery, Atomic Dome Museum, Hiroshima Peace Park, Daisho Temple, Itsukushima Shrine, Amanoiwato Shrine, Kenrokuen Garden, Adachi Museum of Art, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and more
Activities Hiking, stargazing, boat rides, visiting shrines, temples, and museums, hot springs, cherry blossom viewing, sake tasting, cycling, and more

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Explore the New Golden Route

The New Golden Route is an alternative way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto, taking in the Sea of Japan coast. This route is a less-explored part of Japan, generally more rural and less populated than the original Golden Route. The aim is to experience a more tranquil side of Japan, full of natural beauty and rich culture, and to partake in some experiences that are difficult to have elsewhere.

How to Get Around

A great pass for exploring the New Golden Route is the Hokuriku Arch Pass, which allows tourists to travel by train between Tokyo and Kyoto via the Sea of Japan coast over a 7-day period for 24,000 yen. This pass also grants discounts on tourism facilities, buses and trains in the Hokuriku region.

Where to Stop Along the Way

  • Saitama: Home to one of Japan's top railway museums and a bonsai village.
  • Takasaki: Famous for its Daruma Dolls, with nearby attractions including Tomioka Silk Mill, a Unesco World Heritage site.
  • Karuizawa: A mountain resort on the base of an active volcano, with nearby waterfalls.
  • Nagano: The largest city in Nagano prefecture and the second-largest city on the route. Home to Zenkoji, where you'll find Japan's first Buddha statue.
  • Toyama: A coastal city famous for its medicine and unique black ramen.
  • Takayama: A small town near the Japan Alps with well-preserved Edo-era streets.
  • Shirakawa-go: A Unesco World Heritage Site, famed for its thatch-roof farmhouses.
  • Kanazawa: The largest city and capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, with Kenroku-en, one of Japan's top gardens.
  • Kaga: Known for its four onsen, including Yamanaka Onsen, one of the Three Baths of Fuso.
  • Fukui: Home to Maruoka Castle, one of only 12 original Japanese castles remaining.

Best Times to Visit

The best time to visit the New Golden Route depends on what you want to experience:

  • Spring/Summer: Discover the nature that sculpted Japanese culture.
  • Autumn: Enjoy the colourful foliage.
  • Winter: Explore Zen atmospheres and new culinary frontiers.

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Discover Iwate's dramatic mountain ranges

Iwate is home to 632 named mountains, with the highest being the 2,038-metre Mount Iwate. This mountain, also known as "Nanbu Fuji", is a sacred volcano that has attracted worshippers since ancient times. It is surrounded by lava plateaus, beech and fir forests, marshes and lakes. Mount Iwate is included in Kyūya Fukada's book, '100 Famous Mountains in Japan', composed in 1964.

Hiking Trails

There are seven major hiking trails that lead to the summit of Mount Iwate, each with its own distinctive landscape. The trails offer varied experiences, from the dense forest of the Uwabo Trail to the volcanic landscapes of the Nanataki Trail. The Matsukawa Trail passes through forests of Japanese beech trees, which are particularly beautiful in autumn, while the Omisaka Trail is a steep climb suitable for strong hikers. The Amihari Trailhead, located in the Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, offers a chairlift that takes hikers up to an altitude of 1,320 metres.

Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Much of Mount Iwate is within the borders of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. The park features impressive volcanic landscapes, including the Yakehashiri Lava Flow, which has been designated a Natural Monument by the Japanese government.

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Venture to the Diamond Route

The Diamond Route takes travellers on an exploration of the three prefectures of Fukushima, Tochigi, and Ibaraki, due north of Tokyo. This route is perfect for those who want to intersperse visits to onsen, castles, and festivals with hiking through pristine forests.

Hitachi Seaside Park

A sprawling stretch of space that feels like a prettier, Japanese version of Center Parcs. Bright banks of flowers, including Kochia bushes, are interspersed with Ferris wheels, pebble gardens, and fairground rides. The Kochia bushes are replanted annually and blush into vibrant colours over autumn.

Sake+Soba Nakaya

Sample some of the region's local specialities, including locally brewed Hitachino Nest Beer.

Nakamuraya Ryokan

This ryokan is known for its extensive spa options thanks to its location in Iiazaka Onsen. The ryokan has been operating for 120 years and has been in the same family for the last 80.

Matsushima Bay in Miyagi

Visit the small waterside Godaido Temple and the vast, tree-flanked Entsuin Temple. This area was badly hit by the 2011 tsunami.

Enman-Tei

A much-loved ramen shop. Order the seafood ramen, a vast bowl brimming with shrimp, scallops, clams, and an intact, gigantic crab.

Bandaisan Goshikinuma Lakes

The eruption of nearby Mount Bandai in 1888 altered the mineral makeup of these lakes, rendering them a dense turquoise.

Grandeco Ropeway

Hop on the Grandeco Ropeway to weave your way up into the mountains. In winter, this is a ski resort, but in autumn, the leaves are just starting to turn auburn.

Urubandai Lake Resort Hotel

Visit the secluded outdoor onsen, where steam rises gently from the water, and enjoy the view of the lake and the gold-dappled trees.

Lake Inawashiro

The fourth-largest lake in Japan. Docked to one side sits a magnificent swan boat complete with a crown.

Shousuke no Yado, Takinoyu

Take a private outdoor bath on a balcony overlooking a roaring waterfall.

Samurai School Nisshinkan

A former training academy for young samurai soldiers. Visitors can try their hand at archery and learn about the rigorous education system for young students.

Ouchijuku

A former post town that once functioned as a stop-off point for travellers passing between the north and Tokyo (or Edo, as it was then known). The long, straight street of thatched-roof buildings have been transformed into shops where you can buy anything from food to yukata to kitsch knitted vegetables.

Kanmangafuchi Abyss

A picturesque gorge full of tumbling rocks and water. The main sight here is the 70 or so Jizo statues (a deity known as the protector of travellers, women, children, and the deceased), each clad in a red cap and bib.

Nikko Toshogo Shrine

An ornate set of buildings forming the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Tokugawa Shogunate. There is a preponderance of gold leaf, as well as elaborate carvings of birds and other creatures. Buddhist and Shinto iconography intermingle, with elements of the two faiths sitting side by side.

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Experience the beauty of Okinawa

Okinawa is a tropical paradise located in the southernmost part of Japan. It boasts stunning natural beauty, a unique culture, and a pleasant climate all year round, making it a popular destination for travellers. Okinawa comprises a cluster of 160 islands, large and small, inhabited and uninhabited, stretching from the main island in the north to Ishigaki and beyond in the south. The islands are incredibly diverse, offering something for everyone, from secluded coves and vibrant reefs to castle ruins and heritage sites.

Spring is an especially magical time to visit, as the islands burst into colour with blooming cherry blossoms and unique flowers and plants. The best time to visit during spring is from late March to early May, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the weather is mild and pleasant.

Things to Do and See in Okinawa

  • Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium: Home to impressive whale sharks and coral reefs.
  • Nakijin Castle Ruins: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with breathtaking views of cherry blossoms and ancient castle ruins.
  • Yogi Park: Over 300 cherry trees create a stunning pink canopy.
  • Southeast Botanical Gardens: Boasts over 1,300 varieties of tropical and subtropical plants and 50+ animal species.
  • Cape Manzamo: Dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters make this an ideal spot for sunset viewing.
  • Yanbaru Forest: A lush forest in northern Okinawa known for its rich biodiversity, including rare orchids and endemic species.
  • Blue Cave: Scuba dive or snorkel near Onna Village to discover the underwater beauty of Okinawa.
  • Kerama Islands: Take a snorkelling or diving tour to explore the vibrant reefs and clear waters of these islands.
  • Tsuboya Yachimun Street: Discover Okinawa's local culture and Ryukyu heritage.
  • Makishi Public Market: Explore the busiest street in Naha, with plenty of shops and snacks to enjoy.
  • American Village: Sample delicious food and experience the vibrant atmosphere.

Okinawa offers a range of activities to suit all interests, from snorkelling and diving to cultural experiences and relaxing on pristine beaches. With its natural beauty, rich history, and friendly locals, Okinawa is a must-visit destination for those seeking to explore the road less travelled in Japan.

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Visit the islands of the Seto Inland Sea

The Seto Inland Sea is a 400-kilometre stretch of iridescent water, dotted with over 700 islands. It lies between the Japanese main islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The mild climate and relaxed atmosphere of the Seto Inland Sea islands have been likened to life in the Mediterranean.

The majority of the sea is part of the Setonaikai National Park, so the area has retained its exquisite natural beauty, abundant wildlife and clean environment. As such, eco-friendly tourism is a major draw for visitors.

Cycling

There are several enchanting cycle routes through the Seto Inland Sea, including the Tobishima Kaido, a 46-kilometre route that crosses the Aki Nada Islands. With very little road traffic, this route takes you across seven bridges, giving the sense that you are floating above the calm seas.

Sailing

You can also explore the Seto Inland Sea by sailboat, cruising its majestic waters on an eco-friendly yacht. Sailing allows you to discover secret beaches and abundant wildlife while preserving, not impacting, the natural environment.

Art

The Naoshima art island is the main venue for the contemporary art festival Setouchi Triennale, held once every three years on a dozen islands in the Seto Inland Sea. International artists' works are presented across the islands, attracting many young people and international tourists.

Local produce

The Seto Inland Sea islands are also known for their local produce. Ikuchi Island is famous for its lemons, used to make a variety of lemon-based products, including delicious lemon cakes. Omishima Island is home to a small microbrewery that produces unique craft beers inspired by the Seto Inland Sea and makes use of the region's abundant fruit.

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