![]() TOP: Takachiho Gorge ~ BOTTOM: Motonosumi Shrine Chūgoku Off the Beaten Path Kurashiki Visit a quirky Dutch-themed Park in Nagasaki.Dress up in a traditional kimono for the day around Fukuoka.Get lost in Sanrio Puroland, a popular theme park home to Hello Kitty and more.Learn about Kumamoto’s history during a Kumamoto Castle tour.Take a day trip from Fukuoka to Motonosumi Inari Shrine, (a great alternative to Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari).Paddle through Takachiho Gorge as a day tour from Fukuoka.Things to do on Kyushu Island off the beaten path Over millennia the Gokase River has carved its way through towering volcanic basalt to create a scene that could easily be mistaken for Iceland! Visitors can hike above the gorge and admire the view below or enjoy a paddle boat ride beside cascading waterfalls.īoasting incredible natural scenery from mountainous landscapes to sub-tropical islands in Kagoshima, stunning architecture of Kumamoto Castle and the dark past of port city Nagasaki, Kyushu holds numerous rewards for those who dare to venture off the beaten path in Japan. Takachiho Gorge is an incredibly stunning beauty. Kyushu is home to Japan’s most active volcano, Mt Aso, which itself is a hint that there are many onsen towns (ht springs) to relax and unwind across the island. Its largest city of Fukuoka is actually closer to Seoul (South Korea) than it is to Tokyo, which resulted in Fukuoka’s port playing a vital role in trade to Asia and beyond throughout the centuries. If you prefer to see underwatwer without getting wet, take a semi-submersible boat ride or glass-bottomed boat experience.Īs Japan’s third-largest island, Kyushu 九州 is bursting with beauty and historical gems to uncover.Enjoy a half day of snorkelling around Chibishi Island.Always wanted to give diving a try? Take an island diving for beginners course.Discover the Blue Cave near Onna Village by scuba diving or snorkelling.Things to do in Okinawa off the beaten path Which locations will you choose to add to your Japan trip? With that said, are you ready to venture off Japan’s Golden Route? Let’s begin by starting in the south in Okinawa and working up north towards Hokkaido to make things easy. No one likes an annoying tourist so remember to “be invisible” to keep these spots pristine for the benefit of everyone! We can all do our part in being more responsible tourists in Japan and across the globe. ![]() There have been some damaging issues caused by overtourism in Japan in recent years. NOTE: Because some of these locations are so unspoilt and not used to large tourist numbers, please be mindful of the locals and the environment during your time off the beaten track in Japan. I’ve even found some alternatives to popular destinations so keep an eye out for my tips along the way. ![]() This guide explores a range of places I’ve visited and researched including small towns in Japan, the best nature in Japan, things to do at each destination and much more categorised by region. And I don’t want that for you!Īs I’m pretty much addicted to all things Japan, I’m forever looking for new destinations and planning my future visits there. These are cities Japan is famous for, and with good reason.īut there are literally so many lesser-known and secret places in Japan that many tourists seem to miss during their whirlwind visit. Sure, most people visiting Japan for the first time want to see cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima along the Golden Route. If you’re interested in discovering how to not look like a tourist by visiting the Japan less travelled and hidden gems, read on for more! Here you’ll find many of the destinations I’ve visited in person, as well as some others that are on my Japan bucket list. If you’re looking to tailor your very own Japan off the beaten track itinerary, this handy guide to less-travelled spots including cultural experiences in Japan will provide you with some inspiration for your own adventure. I’m all about seeing the best of a country while simultaneously doing what I can to avoid contributing to overtourism issues (and this also includes knowing what to pack for Japan). I’ve done my fair share of research and travelling off the beaten path in Japan (as well as the well-trodden areas) as this is part of being an invisible tourist. ![]() “The beaten path is the safest, but the traffic’s terrible” ~ Jeffery Taylor.Īs tourism has been absolutely booming over the last few years along the country’s “Golden Route,” it’s easy to want to avoid the crowds and explore Japan off the beaten path! While planning a trip to Japan may seem a bit intimidating, I can empathise that it’s not always an easy task to find these lesser-known destinations in Japan. ![]()
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