My partner and I are planning a trip at a later date probably in the fall (next couple of years). We’ve been conversing about what activities or items would we like to do on this upcoming trip. One of the thing he would really love to do is find a small coastal village or town and spend some time to explore. He doesn’t have many criteria, from my conversations he has stated:
* Ocean scenery
* Not too busy – the less touristy the better (off the beaten path)
* Restaurant beside the water
* Walking along the coats and exploring the town
* Quiet or relaxing experience
Since I have less experience finding smaller unknown areas in Japan, I could definitely use some starting points from those who may know some things to research! Any information is highly appreciated. I really want to help him find an experience he will love since he is accommodating so much of my requests.
26 comments
I recommend the Izu Peninsula. Stunning scenery, lots of quiet villages.
I really enjoyed spending an afternoon in [Tomonoura](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3432.html), as a day trip from Hiroshima. I’d say it was tourist-friendly but not touristy. Little fishing village, with a dock you can walk down, lots of little shrines, a couple small museums, and some great views.
The Izu Peninsula is a great suggestion. I fell in love with it on my last trip.
I also suggest Nagasaki & surrounds. I absolutely loved the history, the scenery, everything. Plus it’s further out from Tokyo so while it’s known, there aren’t as many tourists.
I would recommend Nachi-Katsuura in Wakayama. Great sea and rivers, extremely quite and less touristy, but it is quite hard to reach (limited trains and bus access). You could stay at the town side which is near the sea (a few great onsens as well), and explore up to the Nachi Falls, great scenery here. There is a lesser known market here where they auction Maguro as well.
How about one of the coastal cities by Toyama bay? There are also other sites you can visit in the surrounding area such as Shirakawago, Kanazawa, and Takayama. The Hida beef there is amazingly delicious too:)
depends a bit how far you want to get off the beaten path 🙂 as the others said Izu is quite good and you can go all the way to Shimoda. the top parts like Atami and Ito are a bit touristy but gets less so further down. what is nice about Izu is easy access from Tokyo 🙂 But if you are realy looking to get off the beaten path, other places could include Tottori and Shimane. Matsue is really nice and you can follow the path of Lafcadio Hearn.
***ONOMICHI***
The Noto Peninsula is pretty off the beaten path. Towns like Suzu, Wakura Onsen, Wajima are all very charming coastal towns that are easily accessible off the jumping point of Kanazawa, itself a wonderful city to visit.
The entire island of Ishigaki has a unique flavour that’s rather un-Japanese but super fun and relaxing.
The Tsugaru Peninsula is pretty quiet and non touristy. Really beautiful scenery and amazingly friendly people.
Plenty of other places, but those are the few that popped off the top of my head.
The costal beach by Aqua World Oarai acquarium, close to Tokyo was an interesting experience for me. If you will be
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We always arrive at the coast in the town of Itoigawa courtesy of being in the town of Hakuba [https://goo.gl/maps/Z4eqQ7imtivmVp9W7](https://goo.gl/maps/Z4eqQ7imtivmVp9W7), all on highway 148 which travels along from Matsumoto to the coast, its along an ancient salt road which is kinda cool, and the coastal section there is called The Jade Coast with some pretty interesting rock formations around the place. We’re normally there in winter so its grey and bleak. The coastal road is nice. Well serviced and just keeps going and going.. Also, like the other commenter has said, The big area all along the way to Suzu.. great territory!
Amanohashidate (‘bridge to heaven’). It’s in Kyoto prefecture, couple of hours by train from the city. It gets a few domestic tourists but few international ones.
While many people mention Izu Peninsula, it’s not really that quiet as it is a getaway place for Greater Tokyo. It’s a good place to hike, have enough attractions not to get bored and from Ito to Shimoda – multiple place to visit. It can get busy during autumn foliage.
The same goes for Amanohashidate / Ine area and for Matsushima Bay, which largely have the same role for Kyoto and Sendai.
I would probably try to find compromise between less touristy and accessible enough, unless your friends speaks passable Japanese:
* Noto Peninsula is fine, however, you’d probably need a car to fully experience;
* Hagi is a former castle town on San’in Coast and god knows the region could use some more tourism – it is accessible enough that it gets some tourist traffic, but largely avoids the stampede of people during high season;
* Shimabara Peninsula is close enough to Kumamoto and Nagasaki to be accessible, (or to be able to make alternative plans in case of inclement weather), but still fairly rarely visitors;
* Sanriku Coast destinations such as Kamaishi and Miyako – the latter gets more traffic due to Jodogahama Beach, though Japanese visitors tend to stick to the resort
* Nemuro and Abashiri on Hokkaido, which do not get a lot of visitors outside summer or winter – and have a fair number of things to do in the area (museums and historical sites)
Ishigaki has been mentioned but there are quite a few places that would fit the bill in Okinawa – Zamami in the Kerama islands for example is quite accessible and extremely laid back island town with amazing beaches, coral reef and turtle diving, and trails through the forested hills. (You might also enjoy taking a car up to the northern part of the main island of Okinawa during the same trip.) If you go in the off season it is pretty empty but fills up after the rainy season.
Similarly some of the Tokyo islands would also work quite well but are likely to be quite busy.
I’d also perhaps recommend spending a night in Kitsuki in Kyushu. It has a reconstructed castle (tiniest in Japan) with very well preserved old streets and some fantastic buildings. They even incentivise the not very numerous tourists to hire and wear traditional clothing while walking around (mostly Japanese people). It’s not a beach area but it overlooks the sea. Nearby you’ve got a lot of other interesting places too, like Beppu, Yufuin and Kurokawa Onsen, Mount Aso etc and it is close to Oita Airport.
Near Ishigaki is a small island called Taketomi. Water views for days. Quite a charming little town. You can bike around the island or explore by foot. Visited back in 2017. Hardly any tourists and mostly visitors from the mainland wanting a peaceful escape.
Ishigaki itself is quite lovely too. More to do and see, more restaurants along the water. Would recommend renting a car here to explore the island.
After visiting you’ll be obsessed with the sanshin. Such good island vibes. Would love to go back and explore more!
How many days do you plan on exploring a coastal area? And do you plan to drive?
In any case, I suggest researching coastal towns and beaches of your interest along the Sea of Japan between the city of Tottori and Takeno. This stretch of coastline lies the Sanin Kaigan National Park which have ocean scenery and unique rock formations I believe are underrated, and rarely mentioned here.
Tottori is easily reachable by train. It can be a bit touristy but it is the only dessert in Japan where you can ride a camel. Just east of Tottori is the city of Iwami where the Uradome Coast begins. Going further east, Kasumi and Takeno coasts have great beaches to explore as well.
If you’re okay with driving, the town of Utoro at the foot of the Shiretoko National park was an absolute highlight during my two weeks in Hokkaido. The smallest town right on the edge of the Ocean. On clear days you can see Russia. The liveliest ramen shops. Namishibiki gives you the most generous chasiu portions. And I can’t forget about the fresh uni.
Point lookout, NY
I’d take a look at Asamushi Onsen. Quite remote up in Aomori, but very relaxing and by the ocean/bay
I’ do any of the coastal towns at the southern tip of the Wakayama peninsula. If end your day near Kii Katsura train station there are huge hotel onsens located on islands just offshore you can go to. The hotels have small boats that ferry you between the mainland and the hotel.
https://selected-ryokan.com/ryokan/hotel-urashima_kii-katsuura_wakayama_kansai.html
It’s pretty close to Nachi Falls too the biggest waterfall in Japan, the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage paths and the temple complex. You have both the coast and mountains to explore the next day.
Toya town in Hokkaido
Taketomi 😁
Miyakojima fits the bill, it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to in my life. That being said, you will probably need to drive to get around or at least bike.
Check out Kurashiki.
Kesennuma!! Hard hit by the tsunami in 2011 this lovely and quaint coastal town is bouncing back strong and fully deserves a visit!!
Definitely Kamakura! It’s a small town with on the east coast just a little south of Tokyo. Perfect for a day trip.