Fantastic Off the Beaten Path Destinations in Japan

Getting off the beaten path in Japan is as easy as diverging from the typical tourist routes through Tokyo and Kyoto, and venturing into the obscure places that Japanese tourists already know and love. Most Western tourists overlook these captivating towns, yet these places are home to some of the best food, kindest locals and most jaw-dropping scenery in the whole country.

Otaru

Once a major trade and fishing port in the late 19^th-century, this pretty town now exudes a sort of old-fashioned, coastal charm. Music boxes and glassware are sold in the re-purposed warehouse buildings along Sakaimachi Street, and Victorian-style street lamps line the town’s lengthy canal. Otaru has the kind of fantastic seafood that people come to Japan for, with an entire street dedicated to sushi restaurants. A sushi-frenzy is best followed by visiting the Bavarian-themed Otaru Beer Hall to sample a glass of quirky Otaru Beer, an amazingly delicious Japanese brew made entirely with ingredients imported from Germany. 

Mount Koya

Not far from popular Osaka, you’ll find mystical Mount Koya, home to a small town where over one hundred temples are nestled among shadowy cypress trees. The town was founded by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s most important religious figures. Many of Mount Koya’s temples offer accommodation, making this an ideal place to try an overnight temple stay. Temple stays are truly unique experiences, offering the opportunity to dine on vegetarian cuisine and participate in the monk’s morning prayer sessions. 

Hida-Takayama

Some wouldn’t consider Hida-Takayama off the beaten path, but most people still look at me with a blank stare when I mention this traditional little town in the Japanese Alps. Its Edo-period merchant shops, quaint morning markets, and pretty mountain vistas perfectly match the image of old-world Japan that many travelers are seeking to find. It’s the perfect place to take a break from sushi, with juicy Hida beef and hand-made soba noodles sold throughout the city. Takayama is also well-known within Japan for its amazing sake, and there are dozens of breweries throughout the old town where you can try samples. If you’re fortunate enough to visit this town in April or October, you can check out the town’s famous festivals, which feature 200-year-old floats and haunting puppet performances.

Noto Peninsula

Jutting out into the Japan Sea, remote Noto Peninsula offers rugged coastal scenery and enchanting traditional fishing villages. It’s best explored by car, giving you the freedom to slowly meander up the Peninsula’s thin length. Wajima, one of the larger towns, is home to a busy morning market, where you’ll see leather-skinned fisherman stacking fresh fish on their stalls and withered old women selling pottery and laquerware. There’s no better place for fresh seafood, particularly oysters. The Peninsula is dotted with lovely temples, long stretches of beach and offers a glimpse into rural Japan that few Western tourists ever see.

Kiso Valley

The Kiso Valley was once part of the Nakasendo Trail, one of only two ancient trade routes between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. The trail, which follows along the Kiso River, is populated with “post towns” where travelers could take a break from the long journey to find a meal and somewhere to sleep. Today, it’s possible to walk parts of this Edo-period trail, with the section between the towns of Magome and Tsumago being the most popular. It’s a lovely forest walk, particularly during the autumn leaf season. Magome and Tsumago, the two towns at either end of the trail, are beautifully preserved, with cars prohibited and electrical wires hidden to fully recreate the feeling of following the old trade route.

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