When you think about travelling in Japan, big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto probably come to mind. However, besides these famous and popular places, there are many incredible sights, neighbourhoods, nature spots, and lesser-known places all around this country. If you are tired of the big cities or the famous tourist spots and want to avoid the crowds, here are 10 of the best underrated places to visit in Japan that I personally love and recommend adding to your bucket list.
One of the best ways to explore Tokyo is to visit the local areas and immerse yourself in the local culture. If you want to explore local areas, we have created scavenger hunt adventures personalised to your interests, filled with fun facts, clues and puzzles. If you’re curious, you can check out the games here! Check out the Flip Japan Games here! |
1. Kawagoe
Kawagoe is located in Saitama, just about 30 minutes by train from Tokyo. In the Edo period, Kawagoe served as a defence line in the northern part of Edo by Ieyasu Tokugawa, and the area was developed as a castle town. Many merchants built warehouses in Kawagoe, and these merchant houses still remain today, making this area known as “Little Edo”.
Here in Kawagoe, you can enjoy the old Japan town atmosphere. You will come across various historical spots just by strolling around the streets. There are many kimono rental shops in Kawagoe if you’re interested in joining a kimono experience. Another one of Kawagoe’s charms is its many gourmet spots. Kawagoe is famous for eel, and there are many eel shops in the city. If you like unagi, definitely stop by one of the unagi restaurants.
In Kawagoe, you can find about 70 confectionery shops selling traditional Japanese snacks like rice crackers, mochi, candy balls, and other old-school Japanese sweets. If you like sweet potatoes, Kawagoe is the place for you. You can try out all the incredibly amazing sweet potato coffee, sweet potato ice cream, and even sweet potato beer! You can truly indulge in this nostalgic atmosphere here.
2. Niijima
When you think of islands in Japan, you probably think of Okinawa or somewhere far from the cities, but did you know that there are actually 11 islands that are part of Tokyo?
Around 2,700 people live on Niijima, and many oceanic species and birds migrate through the island. You can even spot sperm whales and humpback whales here. Niijima is great for surfing, with long, sandy beaches that face different directions, so you can always catch some waves, no matter which way the wind is blowing.
My favourite spot on this island is Mamashita Beach, surrounded by cliffs and located along the southwest part of Niijima. The coastline offers many little secluded spots to admire the view, including Mt Fuji on a clear day. You will be surprised by how blue the ocean is.
Like most of the volcanic Tokyo islands, Niijima also has hot springs. Once you’re done enjoying Mamashita Beach, you can visit Yunohama Roten Onsen, a large outdoor bath built in ancient Greek-style ruins. It offers stunning panoramic views of the setting sun and the Pacific Ocean. The amazing part about this rotenburo is that it’s free for all to use and is a mixed-gender bath.
3. Zamami
Located in the southernmost part of Japan, Okinawa is a gorgeous prefecture with stunning oceans, lush mountain ranges, and all kinds of entertaining watersports. Within the Okinawa Islands, you will find Zamami Island, one of the most tranquil places I have ever been.
Zamami Island is easily accessible from Naha, the capital of Okinawa prefecture, by ferry in about 1-2 hours. Zamami Island is known for whale and sea turtle watching, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, beaches, hiking, and local food and drinks.
If you like visiting beaches, you will love Zamami. Furuzamami Beach is the main beach of Zamami Island. The beauty of the pure white sand and the emerald green sea is beyond description. Here, you can see tropical fish in the shallow water below 1 metre, making it ideal for beginners to enjoy snorkelling.
Ama Beach is another gorgeous beach where you can observe sea turtles in their natural habitat. There is a high probability of encountering sea turtles in this area, especially during high tides when they come up to the surface to breathe.
4. Yanagawa
Yanagawa is a city on Japan’s Kyushu island, often called ‘the city of water’ and the “Venice of Kyushu” because of its 470 kilometres of canals, originally built as irrigation channels using the waters of Chikugo River. The city’s canals are lined with willow trees and beautiful architecture.
If you visit Yanagawa, you must experience taking the traditional Japanese low flat boats called donkobune. Your guide transports the boat with a pole, taking you on an incredible trip through the canals. The trip absolutely blew my mind, and for what you’re paying, it is definitely worth the money.
Shotoen is another beautiful sight that you can easily walk to from where you get off the donkobune. It is a pond garden surrounded by black pine trees and was designated as a national scenic spot in 1978. Right next to Shotoen is Tachibana Museum, showcasing the history of Yanagawa.
After a day of exploring, stop by The Karatachi Bunjin Footbath. You can check out the literary figures related to Yanagawa introduced to you in the Footbath while healing the tiredness of your legs.
5. Izu Peninsula
Popular for its resort area, hot springs, beautiful coastlines, beaches, mild climate, and scenic mountainous interior, Izu Peninsula is a wonderful place for a vacation. It takes merely a couple of hours to get to Izu Peninsula from central Tokyo, making it a great place for a weekend trip.
There are many amazing spots around the Izu Peninsula for you to visit. One of them is Jogasaki Coast, with a unique coastline created by lava that flowed out when Mt. Omuro erupted about 4,000 years ago. The entire course is about 9 km long, but there are many entrances and exits, so you don’t have to complete the entire course. The Kadowakitsuri Bridge is another popular sight, 48 metres long at a height of about 23 metres, making it a thrilling scenic spot.
Komuroyama Ridge Walk “MISORA” is a gorgeous new facility that recently opened in April 2021, where you can enjoy the magnificent natural scenery of the sea and sky in Ito City. It is a relaxing spot in Izu where you can relax surrounded by greenery and the gorgeous view.
If you want to visit a beach, Shirahama is definitely one that you will love. It is a vast white sandy beach extending up to 700 metres. It is very famous nationwide and is crowded with many surfers and young people every year. Since Shirahama Beach is quite spacious, even during peak seasons, you will still be able to enjoy the ocean and the sand with your own space.
6. Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate is located in Kyoto Prefecture and is known as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. It takes roughly 2 hours to get here from central Kyoto. Amanohashidate translates to “bridge to heaven”, and there’s a legend that says the bridge was formed when an ancient dragon god flew to heaven.
Amanohashidate is a sand spit that separates Miyazu Bay and the Aso Sea from north to south. The 3 km stretch runs across the bay, with a beautiful sandy beach running along it the whole way. During summer, you can swim at the beach. When it snows in northern Kyoto in winter, Amanohashidate becomes a fantastic sight, covered in snow, and you can cross the bridge while taking in the view.
There are a few other attractions in this area, including temples, shrines, a small amusement park, and observation decks.
7. Karuizawa
Karuizawa is a beautiful area where you can visit nature, shop, and enjoy amazing food. Karuizawa Shiraito Falls is a popular spot, though it’s not as pretty in winter when the ground is icy and the falls aren’t as attractive.
The Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church is a unique sight made of stones. Another underrated place is the Onioshidashi Volcanic Park, which features breathtaking views of volcanic rocks from the 1783 eruption of Mount Asama. There is also a temple on top of the volcanic rocks.
Old Karuizawa Ginza Street has an old-town vibe, great for a stroll, and there is also Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, an amazing place to shop for great deals. This area is excellent for a day trip or an overnight trip. You can easily get around with public transportation, but getting a car is also a great option.
8. Tama Lake and Sayama Hills
One of my personal favourite areas in Tokyo, Tama Lake and Sayama Hills, are beautiful places to escape the hustle and bustle. Tama Lake and Sayama Lake are water supply reservoirs just north of Tokyo, easily accessible from Shinjuku station. Tama Lake is massive, and you can stroll or bicycle here. You can also visit Sayama Park, which has Yakebe Pond and Sun Plaza in the wooded area, great for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Just across the bridge from Tama Lake, you will find Sayama Hills, known as Totoro Forest, as it inspired the movie My Neighbour, Totoro (1988). This area is very peaceful, and you will feel like you have walked into a different world.
Tama Lake, Sayama Lake, and Sayama Hills are quiet and peaceful, perfect for relaxation. If you visit on a sunny day, be sure to bring sunscreen as there’s not much shade. There aren’t many shops either, so pack food and drinks.
9. Mount Nokogiri
If you have seen photos of Japan with a viewpoint extending from a cliff, chances are it is Mt. Nokogiri. Mt. Nokogiri is located in the Boso Peninsula in Chiba and is one of Japan’s 100 lowest mountains. It is also known as a “saw-toothed mountain” because of the rock walls and the sights along the way.
At the peak of Mt. Nokogiri, you’ll find the impressive viewpoint, including the Jigoku Nozoki (View of Hell) that sticks out at the top of a cliff, offering wonderful views over Tokyo Bay. From here, you can take the path leading to Nihonji Daibutsu, the largest pre-modern stone-carved Buddha in Japan. It is a Soto Buddhist temple built over 1,300 years ago and has been abandoned and revived multiple times through the ages.
The end of the trail takes you to a massive collection of hand-carved Arhat sculptures. Although there were around 1,500 sculptures, only 538 survived due to an anti-Buddhist movement in the Meiji Period.
You can reach the top of Mt. Nokogiri by the Mt. Nokogiri Ropeway or by hiking. The hiking trail can be quite challenging, but mini Buddhas accompany you along the way. It is a magnificent day trip from Tokyo that not many people know about.
10. Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is formed by the erosion of Aso lava, with 80-100 metre-tall cliffs stretching for around 7 kilometres. It is especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves change colours. The geometric rock formation and the beautiful scenery created by the emerald green water surface are some of the mysterious sights representing Kyushu.
Takachiho Gorge is one of Japan’s leading scenic spots, designated as a national scenic natural monument in 1934. It is known for its unique columnar-shaped valley surrounded by waterfalls.
The best way to visit Takachiho Gorge is to rent a boat and move freely along the river. From the boat, you will come across different beautiful sights; without a boat, it will be difficult to reach some of these places. The biggest attraction here is Manai Waterfall, selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. The waterfall, seen from a boat, is very impressive.
Besides Takachiho Gorge, there are many sightseeing spots in the area where you can experience the local history and cultural practices. If you get a chance to come here, take your time and enjoy the beautiful and tranquil atmosphere.
Japan’s Underrated Destinations Await You
Exploring these underrated places to visit in Japan offers a unique perspective on the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Each destination provides an opportunity to escape the bustling city life and immerse yourself in tranquil environments, historical landmarks, and stunning landscapes. From the nostalgic streets of Kawagoe to the breathtaking cliffs of Takachiho Gorge, these locations showcase the diverse beauty that Japan has to offer beyond its well-known tourist spots.
Visiting these hidden gems will enrich your travel experience, allowing you to discover lesser-known aspects of Japanese culture and nature. Whether you’re wandering through the canals of Yanagawa, surfing the waves at Niijima, or admiring the panoramic views from Mt. Nokogiri, you’ll find that each place has its own unique charm and story to tell. As you plan your travels for 2024, consider adding these incredible destinations to your itinerary for a truly unforgettable journey through Japan.
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