Big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are some of the most visited places in Japan. While the beauty of these hotspots is undeniable, they can quickly get crowded and appreciating the beauty that Japan has to offer becomes a chore. So, what if we told you there was more to Japan to explore than the usual cities that you’re familiar with?
Follow along as we take you to some of the most beautiful places to go in Japan that aren’t Tokyo.
Sample every sake in Niigata
The port city of Niigata is the most populous on the west coast of Honshu, facing the Sea of Japan and Sado Island. Popular for its sake across Japan, Niigata is home to over 90 breweries. Much of this is thanks to the city being covered by rice fields – including the country’s favourite Koshihikari rice variety. To best see Niigata, visitors can rent a bicycle to tour the city at their own pace.
For a fun activity, you’ll want to pop into any of the three Ponshukan Sake Museum stores in the city. This is where you can sample nearly 100 types of sake, each dispensing from vending machines around the store. Taste descriptors are included by every machine, including information on which brewery it’s from. The store also has a list of recommended sakes if you’re undecided on which you’d like to try, or you can always approach the store staff who are more than happy to help.
Ponshukan Sake Museum stores operate on a token system, with 5 tokens setting you back just 500 yen. Most machines also only cost 1 token per tasting. You’ll also get a sake cup to use in-store, although you unfortunately cannot keep the cup afterwards. However, this is still a great way to discover your favourite sake before buying a larger bottle to enjoy whenever you like.
The Echigo-Yuzawa Ponshukan branch also offers an especially hot sake bath using sake blended specifically for this experience. It’s mixed in with a lightly alkaline spring bath and makes for a truly unique way to remember Niigata.
Head up north to Hokkaido
Located in the north of Japan, Hokkaido is every winter sports fan’s favourite visit. With its powdery soft snow that’s perfect for both ski and snowboard excursions, it’s easy to see why many ski resorts such as Club Med Resorts choose to call Hokkaido home.
Outside the cold seasons, Hokkaido continues to offer some of the most gorgeous views across the city. For example, you’ll be welcomed by the colourful blooms across the many flower fields in spring. Subsequently, autumn visits mean you can catch the leaves on the trees turning into an unbelievable sight of bright orange. Many tourists find this reason enough to brand the city as one of the most beautiful places to go in Japan. Hokkaido is also famous for its abundance of sea urchin catches, with spring sea urchins bearing some of the most exquisite umami flavours.
To catch a glimpse of Hokkaido from above, don’t forget to take a trip up to the observatory of the former volcanic Mount Hakodate. The views from this 334-meter-high observatory are best at nightfall as you can see the city magically light up, although many visitors also love the sight of the crystal blue waters surrounding the island during the day.
You can easily reach the summit via the Hakodateyama Ropeway which takes just 3 minutes from the Motomachi District. Roundtrip tickets for adults are priced at 1,800 yen while children pay only half the price. Kids under 2 can also ride for free.
Discover what Nagasaki has to offer
Photo by Tayawee Supan on Unsplash
If you’re looking for a truly underrated gem in Japan, you can’t miss having Nagasaki on your itinerary. Although many will recognize the city from the unfortunate history of WWII, Nagasaki has since rebuilt itself into one of Kyushu’s must-visit places especially if you love night views, earning its place as one of the most beautiful places to go in Japan. The observatory on Mount Inasa is our recommended spot if you want to experience the best views in Nagasaki after dark.
Today, the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Park remains a bittersweet memory of the tragedy that befell the residents of this former port city. A large bronze statue sits at the park entrance, with his right index finger pointing to the sky to symbolize the threat of destruction. His left arm, however, is stretched out to signify world peace. After observing the memoriam, head over to Sanno Shrine where you’ll see the remaining half of a torii gate. It’s a strong reminder of the resilience of the Nagasaki residents, as the other half had been destroyed during war times.
For lighter-hearted experiences, we’d recommend visiting Huis Ten Bosch, a unique Dutch-inspired theme park set in Sasebo, Nagasaki? Spanning over 380 acres, Huis Ten Bosch was first opened in 1992 and welcomes millions of visitors annually. As you enter the theme park, you’ll be greeted by buildings modelled to look much like those that you’ll find in the Netherlands – a real sight to behold if you’re looking to “visit” this little country in Europe without actually being there.
Beyond just attractions, Huis Ten Bosch offers hotel stays if you’d like to wake up to a sight that’s nowhere close to Japan. You will also find themed eateries, souvenir shops, and more. Fans of the 2022 Netflix limited series, Run for the Money, will recognize the park as the set location.
Pack for sunny Okinawa down south
Photo by When thinking of beach vacations, Japan may not be the first country that comes to mind. But the beach town of Okinawa down south may just be the city you want to visit to change this very perception. Despite being Japan’s smallest island, Okinawa is a city that’s simply packed with character.
Much of this is thanks to the city’s humid subtropical climate, making it a wonderful place to visit all year round. Whether relaxing on the beach or heading on a diving excursion on the Karema Islands, you can always find something to do in Okinawa. And when you’re on the hunt for a sweet treat, do look out for a bite of Blue Seal Ice Cream. This American ice cream brand specializes in local flavours like the Okinawan Salt Cookie and the Okinawan sweet potato otherwise known as Beni-Imo.
If you’re visiting in April, Okinawa’s Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival is a spectacle not to be missed. It’s recognized as one of the biggest fireworks displays in Japan, offering an Okinawan music and culture festival vibe along the city’s beaches. Special seated entry tickets are available if you’re looking to soak up the picnic vibe, although the displays can otherwise also be enjoyed for free from afar.
Looking to catch a glimpse of Okinawa while combining it with more experiences? Then come onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise’s 8-day, 7-night Spectrum of the Sea escapade where your journey begins in Shanghai. Capturing the best of China and Japan, you’ll get to combine the best of both cities in a single vacation. Many fun activities onboard the cruise vessel also await, ensuring you a memorable holiday that’s well worth your annual leave.
Walk back in time in Kanazawa
Photo by Filipe Freitas on Unsplash
The city of Kanazawa in the Ishikawa Prefecture is a fantastic destination that looks as though it’s frozen in Japan’s Edo era. As a 400-year-old castle town, the city is best known for its traditional facades, art museums, and regional handicrafts that make great holiday souvenirs.
Nature enthusiasts would appreciate a day out in Kenrokuen Garden, a beautiful landscape garden that’s arguably the best in Japan. The garden first welcomed visitors back in 1871, with the grounds historically being a part of the Kanazawa Castle owned by the ruling Maeda family.
Many blooming varieties can be found surrounding the gardens, allowing visitors to admire a unique kind of beauty no matter the season they decide to visit. From plum blossoms in the spring to Sakura blooms around mid-April and maple trees across autumn, the beauty of Kenrokuen Garden alone is reason enough to put Kanazawa on the map of the most beautiful places to go in Japan that isn’t Tokyo.
The Myoryuji Temple that’s earned the nickname Ninjadera or Ninja Temple is an unmissable spot when visiting Kanazawa, especially if you’re a fan of deceptive defences. However, it’s good to note that the temple isn’t officially associated with the masked infiltrators. Instead, this moniker refers to the building’s hidden secrets including tunnels, traps, misleading corridors, secret rooms, and more.
The best way to explore the Myoryuji Temple is by following a paid guided tour – although it’s mostly held in Japanese. English guidebooks, however, can also be found to help you discover the best that this temple has to offer. As the establishment prefers to keep its secrets hidden, videography and photography are not allowed. We do think this adds to the mysterious sentiment of this famed “Ninja Temple”, making it a must-see when you’re in Kanazawa.
Experience the life of locals abroad in Sendai
Located just an hour and a half away from Tokyo on the Tohoku Shinkansen, Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku Region. Avid audiences of the popular British YouTuber, Abroad in Japan, will recognize this city as the place he once called home. And while Sendai isn’t as packed as the larger hotspots of Japan, it still offers many must-see attractions like the Aoba Castle which was the former residence of the Date clan, the Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, and more.
Fans of the classic Japanese superhero, Anpanman, will want to head over to the Sendai Anpanman Children’s Museum & Mall located just 9-minutes away from the Sendai Station. While the indoor theme park is mostly marketed for little ones, they also have fan merchandise stores and a restaurant where you can relax and enjoy whenever you’re feeling peckish.
The Sendai Loople, a 14-stop sightseeing bus that takes you to some of Sendai’s handpicked destinations is also a great way to see this city. Vintage-like buses will run on a hop-on-hop-off basis every 20 minutes, ferrying you to hotspots like the Osaki Hachimangu Shrine and shopping arcades like the Marble Road Omachi. Specially themed buses may also run on a limited-time basis to celebrate festivities in summer, autumn, and selected dates in December.
Adventurous foodies should try the city’s most popular delicacy – the gyutan or cow’s tongue. It’s often served over rice or as is with a touch of salt after being grilled over charcoal. And while the dish may sound odd, it’s surprisingly delicious regardless of where you have it in Sendai. The Aji Tasuke Honten founded by Chef Sato Keishiro is where we best recommend you try gyutan, as it’s in this very restaurant that this dish was created in 1948.
A is for Aomori
Photo by Seiya Maeda on Unsplash
It’s no secret that Japan tries its best to come up top with all they do, and the apples in Aomori are no different. Home to the best quality apples in Japan and arguably worldwide, this little city situated in the Tohoku Prefecture is a wonderful place to go in Japan if you’re hoping to skip the crowded cities.
For starters, the Hirosaki Apple Park is a fantastic place to be if you’d like to experience plucking your own apples. This allows you to sample the freshest that Aomori has to offer come harvesting season, with over 80 different apple varieties being grown across the 5.2-hectare park. Doors typically open to visitors between August up to mid-November, but dates may vary depending on weather and growing conditions.
Beyond apples, Aomori also plays host to an opportunity to truly disconnect from the world at Aoni Onsen. This hot spring is set deep in the forested valley between Hirosaki and Lake Towada, and you’ll find nothing but a single lodging called Lamp no Yado. It’s popular among tourists for its lack of running electricity up until recent days and sparse cell phone reception, this is where you’ll get to experience an off-grid life even if it’s just for a day.
A stay at Lamp no Yado provides guests the luxury of doing nothing – as you won’t find any digital entertainment here. Instead, you’ll feast on deliciously simple meals with fresh local and wild mountain vegetables. The seafood here is also prepared with mineral-rich spring water. Overall, we think this is the perfect place to go in Japan especially if you’re looking for a complete reset away from our usual hectic lifestyles.
Finally, don’t miss out on experiencing the summer lantern festival known as Aomori Nebuta Matsuri. Often held in early August, this spectacle draws millions of tourists and locals as huge lantern floats based on kabuki or mythical stories are paraded through Aomori City. In 2024, the largest lantern measured up to 9 meters long and 5 meters high, making it an unbelievable sight for visitors. Thankfully, you don’t have to fret if you can’t make it to Aomori in August as you can relive the marvel at the Nebuta Museum located right next to the Aomori Station.