Hey everyone! Me and my girlfriend are planning to visit Japan in March/April 2023. We will have 4 weeks to explore the country, currently we’re totally free with our planning.
We also want to see some of the Japanese countryside, but unfortunately I’m not able to walk greater distances (> 5 km) or carry heavy luggage because of a severe joint disease. Is there any way to for us to still explore the countryside without being physically fit? For example – are there any remote villages or towns that are surrounded by beautiful nature which are frequently connected to public transportation?
EDIT: Just to clarify things: I’m not necessarily looking for trips into the wilderness. We just want to see some green, nice landscapes – not hiking into the wild. For example the greener periphery of a city would also work fine – the main thing is that we spend some time in the green nature! 🙂
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Would you be able/confident enough to drive? Exploring Japan’s regional areas is best done with a car, even for able-bodied people. You’ll be able to see more, do more, exert yourself less and also be able to do things on whatever timeline works for you. Renting a car is quite easy too, just make sure you get yourself an International Driving Permit and bring it along with your actual licence.
You can always forward you luggage!
You could go to takayama and do day trips from there? Shirakawago, kamikochi, hirayu onsen.
Real countryside you’ll need a car though.
There are a lot of green places you can reach easily with public transport. Like Mt. Misen on Miyajima, you can take the cable car most of the way up. Even if you don’t climb all the way up you still get the scenic overlook out of the cable car station. If you’re not looking for remote (just nature) then there are tons of options without driving. Many popular nature areas in Japan are connected with cable cars or buses. If this is what you are looking for, Japan Guide normally tells you how to get places. You can browse on there and see which ones are easily accessed by public transport and don’t involve much walking.
If you really want to feel some countryside vibes with easy access I can probably host you at my place for a night or two. I am close to Narita airport and would be happy to do what I can to take care of you. I live in a little valley which has been used to farm rice forever and is surrounded by trees, but close to the train station and 15 minutes to Narita airport. I do believe I’ll have a room available on the first floor then.
It’s like countryside lite. As long as you don’t go beyond the valley you can pretend you are in the middle of nowhere.
I can think of Yamadera in Yamagata or Shirakawago in Gifu or Amanohashidate in Kyoto or a cruise in Matsushima bay. Hokkaido has some beautiful places, but definitely need a car.
Do you like trains? If so, look for scenic train rides. I would recommend Sagano.
I went to Hakone once and it felt like a small country side feeling. It’s reachable by train
Not sure where OP is from. But Japan car rental accept international driver license from many countries. I used to drive on different side of the road too (from Canada) and it took me like 5 mins to get used to the other side. The tricky part is where u are in really rural area where u really have to think which side to drive on. Otherwise just follow other traffic in general. Most road sign has romaji on it. So get your passenger to help look should be fine. Google map is 98% right. So just stick to that
Also. Get FULL insurance when u rent your car and an ETC card.
Most car rental place staff can speak some English. So it helps. And they also give u English instruction on how to use ETC and all that
Country side is best explore with cAr as many mentioned. So I would say. After u landed in the big city. Take an easy day or two to take the train first to country side. Then rent a car at the train station.
Oh also reserve the car at the website BEFORE you even fly there. Make sure u reserve the proper car.
Tohoku is a beautiful area to drive around and road are rather wide compare to Kyushu. Very driveable even for those who use to drive on the other side of the road
If you’re in the Hiroshima area I’m able to drive if you would like to see the country side.
Saving this for reference too..been to japan a couple of times with my wife but my mom want to go with us. I know she will not be able to handle the walking needed to go around so I need to look for something manageable for her.