Travel to Japan has never been more popular. Yet, while the country has an enviable amount of assets, most tourists only visit perennial favorites like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto and miss out on the incredible richness (and fewer crowds) of Japan’s lesser-known spots. Here are three of Japan’s under-the-radar destinations that will reward an intrepid traveler with stunning sights, cultural heritage and unique activities.
Nasu Highlands, Japan
Just a quick 70-minute high-speed exercise ride from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, the Nasu Highlands offer a tranquil escape. This photogenic mountainous region that encompasses the striking volcanic peaks of Mount Nasu, is noted for its inviting hot springs. and abundant feelings. To this day, the Nasu Highlands is home to an imperial villa, a retreat for the imperial family. Revamped by its culinary offering, the domain is the largest strawberry maker in the county and is highly sought after its dairy production (as well as a tasty regional cheesecake), craft breweries, and a well-known Nasu Wagyu.
Where to stay: With a focus on agri-tourism, Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Nasu offers guests an authentic immersion in the region’s rich agricultural heritage with engaging seasonal programming for guests of all ages at the hotel’s on-site greenhouse and farms. Families can experience hands-on lessons to live off the land and discover how to sow vegetables, fertilize the soil and harvest.
Taketomi Island
While it can be difficult to be located on a map, this captivating small serene island of about 350 people in Okinawa is a value A for its classic people of Ryukyu, cultural offers, exclusive traveled by buffalo cars and welcome white sand beaches. The charms of the island are the innocent assets of the life of the night. The island is a component of the Yaeyama Islands, which in combination are qualified as the first black sky in Japan, which means that the afternoon sky is a charm that cannot be lost thanks to open spaces and the lack of synthetic light . On a transparent night, or at domain you can detect up to 84 of the 88 constellations.
Where to stay: Capitalize on the tranquility and seclusion of the island with a remaining on Hoshinoya Tketomi Island. Through Feb. 28, 2025, assets revel in a hot hot pool where consumers can wilt into a personal pool under the star-filled evening sky, as a staff member highlights the vital constellations. The hotel also grants visits to Sabani (island tours aboard a classic wooden boat), a lesson from Sanshin, where you are informed that you play an original Okinawan tool, and a safe number of water activity activities, such as mangrove canoeing, jungle canyoning, snorkeling and snorkeling, and snorkeling scuba diving.
Tsunoshima Bridge in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Yamaguchi, on the western point of Honshu, is easily reached by bullet train from major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. Visitors to this underappreciated destination won’t want to miss the chance to explore Hagi, one of Japan’s captivating and well-preserved castle towns. There’s also plenty of opportunity to hike through rural towns and enjoy untouched landscapes peppered with shrines and beaches, as well as check out Akiyoshido, the largest limestone cave in the country.
Where to stay: Hot Spring Ryokan Hoshino Resorts Kai Nagato offers simple access to riverside walks and trips to Nagato Yumoto Historical. The hotel has a diversity of conscientiously selected cultural discovery offerings that show the classic crafts of the region such as meditation calligraphy, where attendees can register characters in their own Japanese fanatic and make up inscriptions with Akama Inkstone in an EMA, a pill of Wooden prayer noted in sanctuaries and temples.
A community. Many voices. Create a lazy account to pry your thoughts.
Our network is about connecting other people through open and considered conversations. We need our readers to prove their reviews and exchange concepts and made in a space.
To do this, follow the publication regulations the situations of use of our site. We have summarized some of those key regulations below. In other words, keep it civil.
Your message will be rejected if we realize that it turns out to contain:
The user accounts will block if we realize or that users are compromised:
So, how can you be a power user?
Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service.