I have been in Japan for 1.5 years already and mostly based near Fukuoka. I am planning to leave Japan for good to do my PhD somewhere else (for personal reasons). Also, not planning to return to Japan in the foreseeable future as I find myself a bit difficult to fit in to their culture.
Mostly been to the standard places i.e. Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Tokyo and will be planning to go to Kamikochi, Nagano for autumn & Hokkaido for winter.
I don’t have a driving license so I will be limited to public transport, and I have dietary restrictions so I am not looking to travel for food or sake. Basically I am looking for views & events.
If you have places that may be off the beaten track, do recommend to me!
18 comments
Okinawa Kerama Islands
Lot of nice views in Kyushu especially oita and Kumamoto
Hop on the shinkansen and go up to Aomori City. Amazing Modern Art Museum there with the Aomori-ken sculpture. Hike in the Gorge. Eat Apples. They have a month long coffee festival in October. Do go before November as from November – end of March, it’s hella cold.
Shikoku is underrated. And honestly you’re probably never going to visit there again if you live abroad. Good food, few tourists, great sights, onsens, not expensive…
Iriomote in Okinawa is amazing in winter. I hope you get to visit. There’s tons of nature to enjoy and the weather is fantastic.
Go to town with snowboarding during the snow season if possible. If you don’t want to head too far north, Kusatsu and Echigo Yuzawa are pretty easy to reach if you get yourself up to Tokyo.
Generally speaking, the JR Wide Pass is a great general purpose ticket with excellent flexibility for Tokyo and the areas just north of Tokyo. There are also special multi-day flexible tickets that will cover up to Yamagata (getting you to Zao Onsen and the Snow Monsters) or even further.
ETA: snowboarding will get you some gorgeous landscape views plus there’s the magic of sitting in an onsen at night while snow falls on you.
Chill trails in Inaka, wherever. There are beautiful tracks everywhere.
To make it unforgettable:
– Mt. Koya in Wakayama
– Urabandai, Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima
– Nasu Highlands in Tochigi
– Kurobe Gorge in Toyama
– Mt. Osore, Shirakami-Sanchi. Sukayu Onsen in Aomori
– Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen in Akita
– Shimanto River in Kochi
– Yatsugatake in Yamanashi
Climb Akadake
Kusatsu for ONSEN in winter
Koyasan and Yunomine Onsen in Wakayama are my go to recommendations.
Beppu in early January. The place is practically deserted but the onsen attractions are still open and it’s mild so you can hike the surrounding area if you like.
There’s ancient Buddhas just a train ride away in Usuki. Oldest in Japan, being there and totally alone felt pretty special.
Don’t go anywhere just get out. Everywhere is the same unless u experience it with someone. Turn ur back and move on there’s nothing more for u to see
If is it is Osaka, I highly recommend Nishinari. Load up on some Strong Zeroes and watch the fun. It’s not the r/japantravel Japan.
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Seriously, if you are in Fukuoka then go to Nagasaki. Great town.
Shikoku and setouchi area
Takafue
I think Naoshima and the two large museums there are worth visiting if you’re at all interested in art. The views are amazing and the museums are interesting too.
Ago bay – go to Kashikojima Station, take a ferry to Doza, stay a night or return same day
Shikoku is truly beautify and you can explore by train
Seto sea – Naoshima, or take an overnight ferry crossing it to see all the majestic bridges
Take the only remaining overnight train – Sunrise Seto/Izumo, end in Shimane, there was an amazing japanese garden there, then visit the sand museum in Totori