off the beaten path
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Riverside Kibune in Kyoto | Beautiful Seasonal Scenery and the God of Marriage
Kibune is a riverside area in the northern part of Kyoto. You can visit the famous Kifune Shrine, hike to Kurama Temple over the mountain, or enjoy lunch at one of the riverside open restaurants.
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Toyama City | Rich in seafood and known as a Medicine Town
Toyama city doesn’t get many foreign visitors, but there are several attractions that make the prefectural capital worth a visit. Learn more about Toyama’s attractions!
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Oki Islands, Shimane | Wonderful natural scenery and deep history
The remote Oki Islands are located in Shimane Prefecture, 50 km north from the mainland. Tourists like to go here because of the beautiful scenery and interesting history.
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Matsue | Natural city with rich fisheries and agriculture
Matsue is not a famous tourist destination, but it has plenty to offer. What to think of viewing Matsue Castle, doing a Horikawa cruise, or admiring the flowers in the Yushien Peony Garden?
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Ikebukuro | The best commercial and cultural city in Japan
Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo’s grittier neighborhoods. If you’re looking for subcultures and interesting bars, this is the place to go. But there’s also family-friendly entertainment. See what Ikebukuro is about!
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Mikazukimura Historical Theme Park | Time travel to the Edo period!
Mikazukimura is a historical theme park located in Yabuzuka-machi, Ota city of Gunma prefecture. In this park, you can feel the atmosphere of a village in the Edo period.
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Kanmuri Inari Shrine | Shrine of good harvest and money
While Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha with the many red torii gates is the most famous shrine in Japan, visiting the Kanmuri Inari shrine in Gunma will give you a more intimate experience.
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Omiya Bonsai Village | The world’s first Museum dedicated to Bonsai
Omiya’s main attraction is the Omiya Bonsai Village, one of the best places in Japan to get an in-depth insight into the art of aesthetic miniaturization.
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Kusatsu Hot Spring | Large amount of natural hot springs and those beautiful landscapes
The town of Kusatsu in Gunma became well known about 120 years ago after Dr. Balz from Germany, found its hot spring to be very effective against all kinds of ailments.
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Kawagoe Traditional Village in Saitama | Rich history and culture
In the prefecture of Saitama, there is an intact village that has remained of the Edo Period. The town is called Kawagoe, and it is a popular tourist spot in the otherwise non-touristy prefecture.
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Mito City, Ibaraki | Rich natural and urban attractions
Mito is a city northeast of Tokyo that is a 1.25-hour train ride away. The city is most famous for the Kairaku-en garden, which hosts an amazing plum blossom festival in early spring. You can also enjoy historical sites.
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Shimoda, Shizuoka | Beautiful subtropical beaches
You don’t need to go all the way to Okinawa if you want to go to a white sandy beach with azure blue waters. Volcanic peninsula Izu has its fair share of wonderful beaches.
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Lake Hamanako, Shizuoka | Fun leisure facilities and beautiful scenery
Lake Hamanako is a resort area, with an amusement park and onsen with lake views. Located on the way between Tokyo and Kyoto, it is a good place to make an overnight stop.
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Kamikochi, Nagano | A resort area that is a treasure trove of unspoiled, beautiful wilderness
Kamikochi is a remote mountainous highland in the northern part of the Japanese Alps, which has been preserved in its natural state. Hikers will love the great outdoors feeling they will get here.
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Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa | Morning markets, fantastic festivals, and strong traditions
Noto Peninsula is known for its coastal scenery, particularly along the Okunoto Coast and the Kongo Coast, as well as for its rural atmosphere. Because the area’s public transportation is limited, exploring the area is best done by rental car
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Niigata | Delicious rice and rich, beautiful nature
Niigata city is a pleasant place, with plenty of open spaces, making the city feel more spacious and less cramped than other major cities of Japan. Some of the best sake is also brewed here.
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Nezu Shrine, Tokyo | Famous for its beautiful torii gate and azaleas
Nezu shrine from 1705 has the oldest surviving Shinto shrine building in Tokyo. Having survived the war, it is considered a heritage of high cultural importance. In spring, there are gorgeous flowers in the grounds.
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National Showa Memorial Museum | Beautiful nature and fun events that make the most of it
The National Showa Memorial Museum in Tokyo offers the opportunity to observe firsthand how the common citizen lived in Japan during the mid to late 20th century.
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Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo | The most famous and beautiful shrine in Japan
The Yasukuni shrine is considered one of the most important shrines in Japan. It is also a controversial shrine because this is where Japan’s war dead are honored. Learn more about the shrine and its controverse.
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Yoshiwara Former Prostitution District | Mysterious charm of the adult world
In the traditional area of Asakusa in Tokyo, about 20 minutes from the famous Sensoji temple, you can reach the Yoshiwara Shrine. This small shrine has a tragic history.
