I would like to create a thread here for discussing and recommending any off-the-beaten-track adventures you have done in Japan.
To make things not too onerous or tedious, everyone is welcome to suggest a place and give a few lines of comments. Perhaps even add a photo or two. Those people who really want to find out more are welcome to post questions in reply or PM the poster directly.
And lastly, as this is *OFF THE BEATEN TRACK* discussion, please kindly do not clutter this thread with posts about common touristy places. For example like:
To start off, here are some of my recommendations.
Some of the future trips I have in mind:
- It could be any trip you have done before (and so you may be able to share some photos) or any plans to some remote locations that you are planning.
- Or perhaps you want to include some off the beaten track explorations you have in mind in your upcoming trip and you would like to discuss the feasibility of your plans here.
- Finally, maybe you have just graduated from a newbie to Japan status and have no ideas to share, but you would like to see what possibilities are available.
To make things not too onerous or tedious, everyone is welcome to suggest a place and give a few lines of comments. Perhaps even add a photo or two. Those people who really want to find out more are welcome to post questions in reply or PM the poster directly.
And lastly, as this is *OFF THE BEATEN TRACK* discussion, please kindly do not clutter this thread with posts about common touristy places. For example like:
- Visiting Tsukiji market
- Hakone Round trip
- Visiting Miyajima (but talking about climbing the mountain is okay)
- how to get to Arashiyama
To start off, here are some of my recommendations.
- Visit Takachiho, Kyushu. The place feels like a hidden valley in the middle of nowhere. The gorge landscape and small countryside charms are highly memorable. Definitely a top destination in Kyushu.
- Visit Yakushima, Kyushu. Hard to get to but the effort to get there is totally worth it if you are into nature and landscape. Do plan to stay more than 3 days to savour the various sights. And driving around the island is highly recommended.
- Visit Takejima, Okinawa. This is the authentic Okinawan village you may have read about before or seen on TV. The island is like a real kampung, staying overnight is absolutely essential.
- Climb Haguro mountain in Dewa Sanzan, Tohoku. It is a short 3-5hrs climb and you can stay in a real temple at the end of the climb. The climb up is beautiful and the temple you are staying in is authentic and gorgeous.
- Visit Magome and Tsumago, Chubu. The 2 village-towns are beautifully preserved and the highlight of the trip will be to hike that short 5hrs trail between the 2 towns. This stretch is formerly a part of the Nakasendo and you are hiking the same trail that people used in the past to travel from Kyoto to Edo. Also stay in one of the ryokans in either of the towns to expereince what staying in the countryside feels like.
- Visit Naoshima, Shikoku. This is the best place in Japan for art lovers. This place has art museums and installations all over the island. Likewise, stay overnight on the island and use the art installation public bathroom.
- Go kayaking in Kushiro Wetland, Hokkaido. Go with one of the outdoor activity companies operating in Kushiro and go kayaking in the wetland. And see the cranes in the crane refuge nearby. You probably have to stay overnight here as it is so remote but you will definitely enjoy the peacefulness there.
- Visit Ishinomaki, Tohoku. This town was one that bore the brunt of the 2011 Tsunami. Most of the buildings near the coast are stlll missing. There is an interesting Manga musum dedicated to Shotaro Ishinomori, the guy who created the Kamen Riders. There is also a Cat Island nearby you can visit. The experience of walking those devasted area is unforgettable.
- Visit Yamadera, Tohoku. This place is temple parked on the edge of a steep mountain and cliff. The view from the outlook pavilion on top is fantastic, but even just standing in the pavilion will give you vertigo, because it is jutting out of the cliff itself. The place is also very easily accessible by trains, and the mountain is just 5 mins walk from the train station. A day trip from Tokyo is possible.
- Climb Mt Takao, Tokyo. A half day trip from Shinjuku. Take train from Shinjuku to Tako, change to local line to Takaoguchi. You can either walk up or take the cable car. There are 6 hiking routes up the 600m high Mt Takao and they are all very accessible to anyone with moderate fitness. Go on a weekend and climb the hill with plenty of Tokyoites out to enjoy the fresh air and nature of Takao. There is a temple near the summit with all the tourist souvenirs you can buy. You can easily expand the hiking ambition to include the neighboring hills. The classic hike is Mt Takao to Mt Jinba (8 hours).
- Climb Mt Mitake, Tokyo. A day trip from Tokyo. Train from Shinjuku to Mitake. Take a bus from Mitake Station to the ropeway station up Mt Mitake and then it is a short 3 hour climb to Mt Ohtake (1266.5m) from there. And take the long way down to Okutama. Soak in Moegi-no-yu onsen before returning back to Tokyo.
- Do the Kyoto Circular Trail. It takes 4 days and it takes in all the mountains surrounding Kyoto. Starts from Fushimi Inari and ends at Saiho-ji Temple, going one entire loop anti-clockwise around Kyoto. The best sections IMO are the ones from Ginkakuji onwards up to Enryakuji and then descending to Ohara, and the section from Takao to Arashiyama.
- Cycle around Biwako Lake A fun and relaxing way to enjoy the natural beauty of the biggest lake in Japan. Within an hour train ride from Kyoto, and plenty of bike rental options can be found in the major stops along the way, this is a great holiday for the young and fit.
Some of the future trips I have in mind:
- Do the traverse of the peaks in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park in Saitama. It takes about 4-6 days and it takes in all the peaks from Mt Kinpo (2,599m) to Mt Kobushigatake (2,479m) to Mt Kumotori (2,017m).
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