Japan Destinations Off the Beaten Path (Consolidated)
#1
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Japan Destinations Off the Beaten Path (Consolidated)
Hello,
Looking for some advice. I will be travelling to Japan with my girlfriend for 11 days/10 nights. Last summer we traveled to Japan and did 5 nights Tokyo, 1 Yokohama, 1 Hakone, 3 Kyoto, 1 Osaka. This year we are looking to do a nature focused off the beaten path trip. We will be transiting into NRT and out of HND. I was thinking of doing some combination of Hokkaido and the Southwest Islands with possible detours to Naoshima and/or Mt Fuji. I understand this trip will require a few domestic flights and we will be looking to take advantage of the ANA/JAL discount fares.
My questions are: How much time should we allot to each place? Which of the Southwest Islands are the best? How many of these places are feasible to go to?
Thanks for your help.
Looking for some advice. I will be travelling to Japan with my girlfriend for 11 days/10 nights. Last summer we traveled to Japan and did 5 nights Tokyo, 1 Yokohama, 1 Hakone, 3 Kyoto, 1 Osaka. This year we are looking to do a nature focused off the beaten path trip. We will be transiting into NRT and out of HND. I was thinking of doing some combination of Hokkaido and the Southwest Islands with possible detours to Naoshima and/or Mt Fuji. I understand this trip will require a few domestic flights and we will be looking to take advantage of the ANA/JAL discount fares.
My questions are: How much time should we allot to each place? Which of the Southwest Islands are the best? How many of these places are feasible to go to?
Thanks for your help.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Some spend entire week touring around Hokkaido alone. Hokkaido has big city setting of Hakodate, Sapporo, etc. with history and plenty of tourist stuff. Then can easily pend 6 hrs. driving to secluded nature of mountains and ocean.
As for Southeast Islands, what are you looking to do? Seclusion, an island with not a single person who speaks English and lodging will be no western bed, no western toilet, etc. Or are you looking for least comfort of western beds with western toilet?
One of Southeast Islands located at northern part called Yakushima is UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can enjoy mountain hiking. If you are looking for coral ocean then suggest southern part of Southeast Islands.
As for Southeast Islands, what are you looking to do? Seclusion, an island with not a single person who speaks English and lodging will be no western bed, no western toilet, etc. Or are you looking for least comfort of western beds with western toilet?
One of Southeast Islands located at northern part called Yakushima is UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can enjoy mountain hiking. If you are looking for coral ocean then suggest southern part of Southeast Islands.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
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How much Japanese do you speak? Read? Those might have an impact on how far "off the beaten track" you could go.
For something a bit less ambitious but still away from the major tourist tracks, might I suggest looking into Shikoku and/or the Japan Sea coast, called the San-in Coast. The train ride up and over the central mountains of Shikoku and down to Kochi is an experience to remember, as is a visit to Ritsurin-koen in Takamatsu. Ritsurin is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Hiking to a few of the 88-temple pilgrimage locations can also be rewarding.
Back on Honshu, a few nights in Matsue, on the San-in Coast, including a visit to Izumo, followed by a trip down the southwest coast through Hagi and on to Kyushu would certainly take you off the track. The last time I did that a few years ago, I saw English-speaking visitors only once or twice. On Kyushu, a visit to Nagasaki would be nice and "back on the tourist track" but provides an opportunity to get away from the tourists to places like Shimabara, Kumamoto or all the way down to Kagoshima. While visiting the remote Shimabara Castle, the refuge of the last Christian hold-outs during the feudal era purge, I was the only westerner anywhere around.
For Hokkaido, the tourist track includes Sapporo and even Hakodate but you can travel away from those areas to more remote regions around Abashiri, Kushiro, Obihiro or really off the track on the Shiretoko Peninsula, near Abashiri. There are also several spectacular mountainous national parks that should not be missed. Others don't completely agree but I didn't much enjoy Sapporo and loved my stay in Hakodate. The old prison in Abashiri is not everyone's cup of tea but very interesting for the historically inclined.
I am not so sure the remote islands are such a good choice for a visit of a few days.
For something a bit less ambitious but still away from the major tourist tracks, might I suggest looking into Shikoku and/or the Japan Sea coast, called the San-in Coast. The train ride up and over the central mountains of Shikoku and down to Kochi is an experience to remember, as is a visit to Ritsurin-koen in Takamatsu. Ritsurin is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Hiking to a few of the 88-temple pilgrimage locations can also be rewarding.
Back on Honshu, a few nights in Matsue, on the San-in Coast, including a visit to Izumo, followed by a trip down the southwest coast through Hagi and on to Kyushu would certainly take you off the track. The last time I did that a few years ago, I saw English-speaking visitors only once or twice. On Kyushu, a visit to Nagasaki would be nice and "back on the tourist track" but provides an opportunity to get away from the tourists to places like Shimabara, Kumamoto or all the way down to Kagoshima. While visiting the remote Shimabara Castle, the refuge of the last Christian hold-outs during the feudal era purge, I was the only westerner anywhere around.
For Hokkaido, the tourist track includes Sapporo and even Hakodate but you can travel away from those areas to more remote regions around Abashiri, Kushiro, Obihiro or really off the track on the Shiretoko Peninsula, near Abashiri. There are also several spectacular mountainous national parks that should not be missed. Others don't completely agree but I didn't much enjoy Sapporo and loved my stay in Hakodate. The old prison in Abashiri is not everyone's cup of tea but very interesting for the historically inclined.
I am not so sure the remote islands are such a good choice for a visit of a few days.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
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What part of the year will you be going?
I can tell you that it won't be advisable to squeeze in all of Hokkaido, subtropics, Naoshima and Mt.Fuji all in a single 10-night trip. I would do at most 2 regions. As AlwaysAisle says, Hokkaido alone can take a while to cover. It's a good 6-hour drive from CTS to Shiretoko, probably ~3hrs the opposite way to the beautiful Shakotan peninsula. I'm spending 6 nights this summer in area within 2hr radius of CTS this summer, doing various outdoor stuff, and taking in onsen and food.
I can tell you that it won't be advisable to squeeze in all of Hokkaido, subtropics, Naoshima and Mt.Fuji all in a single 10-night trip. I would do at most 2 regions. As AlwaysAisle says, Hokkaido alone can take a while to cover. It's a good 6-hour drive from CTS to Shiretoko, probably ~3hrs the opposite way to the beautiful Shakotan peninsula. I'm spending 6 nights this summer in area within 2hr radius of CTS this summer, doing various outdoor stuff, and taking in onsen and food.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
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I live in western Japan, so this idea came into my mind. Starting from Kobe (or Osaka), rent a car and make your way to Kyushu via Shikoku. Start by crossing over to Awaji-shima, then go the length of Shikoku. At the end of Shikoku, catch a ferry to Oita/Beppu area. From there either head towards Fukuoka, passing through Yufuin, or go the other way (South) towards Miyazaki. Return by driving through Hiroshima, Okayama, Kurashiki areas, etc. There would be numerous variations and branches off of that, especially if driving. Downside would be potentially lots of driving each day, so maybe choose a couple of landing spots and do day trips from there.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
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How much Japanese do you speak? Read? Those might have an impact on how far "off the beaten track" you could go.
For something a bit less ambitious but still away from the major tourist tracks, might I suggest looking into Shikoku and/or the Japan Sea coast, called the San-in Coast. The train ride up and over the central mountains of Shikoku and down to Kochi is an experience to remember, as is a visit to Ritsurin-koen in Takamatsu. Ritsurin is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Hiking to a few of the 88-temple pilgrimage locations can also be rewarding.
Back on Honshu, a few nights in Matsue, on the San-in Coast, including a visit to Izumo, followed by a trip down the southwest coast through Hagi and on to Kyushu would certainly take you off the track. The last time I did that a few years ago, I saw English-speaking visitors only once or twice.
For something a bit less ambitious but still away from the major tourist tracks, might I suggest looking into Shikoku and/or the Japan Sea coast, called the San-in Coast. The train ride up and over the central mountains of Shikoku and down to Kochi is an experience to remember, as is a visit to Ritsurin-koen in Takamatsu. Ritsurin is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Hiking to a few of the 88-temple pilgrimage locations can also be rewarding.
Back on Honshu, a few nights in Matsue, on the San-in Coast, including a visit to Izumo, followed by a trip down the southwest coast through Hagi and on to Kyushu would certainly take you off the track. The last time I did that a few years ago, I saw English-speaking visitors only once or twice.
I think I may have seen two or three Westerners on the San'In Coast.
Kyushu can also be off the beaten track. Fukuoka, which was my jumping off point for the ferry to Korea, is a big modern city with visible foreigners, but there were no other foreigners in Dazaifu.
Years ago, I took the Shinkansen to Niigata and the ferry to Sado. Lots of Japanese tourists, but no other Westerners. From there I went to Kanazawa, which had a few more Western tourists, but not many.
To my everlasting embarrassment, I have not yet made it to Hokkaido or Okinawa, but there is plenty of off-the-beaten track adventure to be had elsewhere.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
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At Matsue, a cruise boat full of PRC tourists with the guide shouting mandarin over the megaphone.
At the Dormy Inn I stayed (last April and October) there were UK tour groups, and many HK/PRC tourists.
Izumo, many HK and Taiwanese.
Shikoku, LCC flights from Taiwan and maybe HK. At the Takamatsu Toyoko Inn, many from HK. At the Takamatsu JR Clement, American tour group.
Kyushu, Kagoshima, I felt like I was in HK. Cantonese could be heard everywhere. Thanks to LCC.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2004
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I will admit that this is a fairly new problem since I last visited those areas. It seems the Chinese tourist agencies have "discovered" Japan with a vengeance over the last 8-10 years or so. Frankly, I have no idea where to recommend now that might not be overrun by Chinese tourists.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
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I will admit that this is a fairly new problem since I last visited those areas. It seems the Chinese tourist agencies have "discovered" Japan with a vengeance over the last 8-10 years or so. Frankly, I have no idea where to recommend now that might not be overrun by Chinese tourists.
Also, last year when somebody asked about Akita on this forum, pretty much the response of FTers were nothing much so it keeps Akita free of non-Japanese tourists!
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
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I will admit that this is a fairly new problem since I last visited those areas. It seems the Chinese tourist agencies have "discovered" Japan with a vengeance over the last 8-10 years or so. Frankly, I have no idea where to recommend now that might not be overrun by Chinese tourists.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2004
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I have to say that when I was last in Japan during early July, I spent my time in Sendai/Yamadera/Matsushima and cannot recall encountering any Chinese or Western tourists. The last afternoon/evening of my trip when I was in Tokyo was, of course, a completely different story.
Speaking of Matsushima, I would like to complete the Three Views of Japan and Amanohashidate has always struck me as a place where there aren't many non-Japanese tourists.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,287
I went to Akita last year and took the Resort Shirakami. Yes, it is still more domestic travelers than international but not totally unknown.
Nihonryori Takamura (in Akita) staff had a rather good grasp of culinary English so they must get enough English speaking customers to make it worth their effort.
Does off the beaten path mean no other non-domestic tourists? Or few tourists in general? Some Chinese tourists might not be an issue if you don't understand Chinese. I speak Mandarin and tend to let overheard conversations fill my headspace as conscious noise, whereas I don't speak Japanese and can tune it out more easily. English is a little easier for me to tune out except when people are talking loudly in a quiet area. Japanese tourists, especially the elderly, can also get quite chatty so you can't count on absolute quiet.
Nihonryori Takamura (in Akita) staff had a rather good grasp of culinary English so they must get enough English speaking customers to make it worth their effort.
Does off the beaten path mean no other non-domestic tourists? Or few tourists in general? Some Chinese tourists might not be an issue if you don't understand Chinese. I speak Mandarin and tend to let overheard conversations fill my headspace as conscious noise, whereas I don't speak Japanese and can tune it out more easily. English is a little easier for me to tune out except when people are talking loudly in a quiet area. Japanese tourists, especially the elderly, can also get quite chatty so you can't count on absolute quiet.
#14
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When I first saw this post I took off the beaten track to dictionary definition and places not frequented by tourists. But I see that some took the definition as not frequented by non-Japanese tourists by frequented by Japanese tourists is fine.
I do not think off the beaten track does not mean there is absolute zero tourists. There will be always some tourists. Hence, Akita qualifies.
I do not think off the beaten track does not mean there is absolute zero tourists. There will be always some tourists. Hence, Akita qualifies.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2004
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I don't think there's a worthwhile sight in the entire country that Japanese tourists have not discovered.
While I have often been the only Westerner at a famous site, I have never been the only tourist.
While I have often been the only Westerner at a famous site, I have never been the only tourist.