With political instability and anti-tourist sentiment impacting many popular destinations, Japan’s reputation as a peaceful country has suddenly become even more attractive to travelers.
According to a recent report from Bloomberg, the country is experiencing a travel boom, with double-digit growth in visitors between 2016 and 2017. That means there’s no better time to seek out some of Japan’s lesser-known cities, towns and attractions in order to escape the growing crowds of tourists.
Exploration of Japan’s more far-flung, remote or unexplored regions is coincidentally being facilitated right now by a handful of new travel industry and infrastructure developments. Two new luxury sleeper trains have recently been brought online in Japan. The Twilight Express Mizukaze provides a circular tour of the Sanyo and Sanin western regions. Meanwhile, the Train Suite Shiki-Shima provides access to previously extreme corners of Japan’s countryside.
For those who do not speak Japanese, the recently created Ryokan Collection of high-end inns are specifically designed to expand access to areas outside of Japan’s big cities.
Kurashiki
Take a step back in time visiting Kurashiki. Bloomberg likens Kurashiki’s historic city center to a time warp that transports visitors to the Edo era. Houses in the community, which is car-free, remain much the same as they were back in the 1600s. However, instead of being used as rice stores or granaries, they are cafes, pottery workshops, and Japanese denim boutiques. Also worth noting, Kurashiki is said to be responsible for creating sake.
Ise Shima
Four hours southeast of Kyoto, Ise Shima is known for its amas or women who dive for sea urchin, abalone and oysters. All of which means this a great place to visit if you’re an oyster lover.
The daily catch is available for sale at oyster stands along Ago Bay. Your best bet is to visit them with a guide who can negotiate a drool-worthy all-you-can-eat deal on the oysters. While in Ise Shima, be sure to visit the Ise Grand Shrine, one of Japan’s biggest and most important monuments.
Yakushima
A tiny island in Japan’s remote southern region, Yakushima is home to towering cedar forests that are protected by UNESCO. The forests and trees are covered with stunning carpets of moss, providing a truly memorable hiking experience. Visitors will find suspension bridges, river views and more. There’s even a sacred cedar that’s said to be about 7,200 years old.
On the coast of Yakushima, there are mangrove-dense beaches inhabited by loggerhead turtles.
Shikoku
Architecture and history buffs will enjoy Shikoku, which is home to an 88-temple pilgrimage route. The tiny island also boasts a bridge built by Samurai 800 years ago entirely out of thick vines.
Yet another site to take in are the remote village houses of the Iya Valley. The homes, some of which can be rented out as vacation retreats, are being restored by Japanophile author Alex Kerr as part of the Chiiori Trust initiative.
