Off the beaten track in Japan - Share your recommendations

[kifo]

can share your self drive iternary in central honshu. thanks.

i have not done a self-driving holiday on honshu yet...


but i can suggest the romantic road

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7450.html

 

[Deathskull88]

I think the castle in cloud ocean is gonna be pretty hard to see, especially for tourists like us haha, with limited time and tight schedules. Depends on a lot of luck for that scene to appear.

Kifo: Do you have a trip report on your hike on Kumano Kodo? I myself hope to hike the Northern Alps near Kamikochi someday.

 

[kifo]

I think the castle in cloud ocean is gonna be pretty hard to see, especially for tourists like us haha, with limited time and tight schedules. Depends on a lot of luck for that scene to appear.

Kifo: Do you have a trip report on your hike on Kumano Kodo? I myself hope to hike the Northern Alps near Kamikochi someday.

eh it is even difficult for me staying in japan... unless you live in fukui...

but if next time if anyone is here at the end of the year and travelling around the region of kanazawa, it is good to keep a look out for the weather patterns - sharp diff between daytime and nighttime temp... it is same for takeda castle

my old kumano kodo report is here
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/15-days-kansai-hiking-trip-rest-shopping-4530988.html

i also did a traverse of some peaks in kamikochi last sep. but i haven't put up a report on here yet. if you need to know, it is from nakabusa onsen up to tsubakuro dake, and then from there to jonen dake via otensho dake. Descent is via chougatake to kamikochi. 3 days on the ridge.

 

[pwillie]

Nagano-yudanaka
snow monkey park 3 yrs ago

Not many people during winter
Yudanaka shibu onsens are good

Written in blood using HardwareZone Forums app

 

[Deathskull88]

eh it is even difficult for me staying in japan... unless you live in fukui...

but if next time if anyone is here at the end of the year and travelling around the region of kanazawa, it is good to keep a look out for the weather patterns - sharp diff between daytime and nighttime temp... it is same for takeda castle

my old kumano kodo report is here
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/15-days-kansai-hiking-trip-rest-shopping-4530988.html

i also did a traverse of some peaks in kamikochi last sep. but i haven't put up a report on here yet. if you need to know, it is from nakabusa onsen up to tsubakuro dake, and then from there to jonen dake via otensho dake. Descent is via chougatake to kamikochi. 3 days on the ridge.

Kifo:

You are staying in Japan now? That's why hehe, if the Japanese(besides Fukui residents) has little chance, regular tourists will have next to none. Unless capturing the scene is a main objective and they invest days to improve their chances.

I had done some research last year so I know which traverse that you did, was it hard? The one I am planning to do is the Oku-hotaka dake to Tsubakuro dake(then down to Nakabusa onsen) via Yariga take. It has that infamous 大キレット in the middle of the route.

And thanks for the info on the Kumano Kodo route, will read through it.

 

[kifo]

Kifo:

You are staying in Japan now? That's why hehe, if the Japanese(besides Fukui residents) has little chance, regular tourists will have next to none. Unless capturing the scene is a main objective and they invest days to improve their chances.

I had done some research last year so I know which traverse that you did, was it hard? The one I am planning to do is the Oku-hotaka dake to Tsubakuro dake(then down to Nakabusa onsen) via Yariga take. It has that infamous 大キレット in the middle of the route.

And thanks for the info on the Kumano Kodo route, will read through it.

It depends if you have any serious hiking or hill-walking experience? For my route, from Nakabusa to Tsubakuro is just a tiring climb. Any fit person can do it. From there to jonen is just going up and down the ridge, no problems there either. I did this section in the rain so definitely no issue if weather is good. The ascent and descent of jonen is considerably trickier, I am lucky I did it on a clear day. If it was raining like the day before, it would have been rather dangerous due to the many exposed rocky areas. An older but experienced hiker had a fall on the descent while my group was passing through and we helped her carry her rucksack onwards to the next hut. Unless it is so serious enough to call for the helicopter rescue and wait for it, you are pretty much on your own. I think the ascent from the south side might be easier on hindsight.

I think the daikiretto is going to be tricky and you probably need to be skillful even in good weather. Roping up is a good option if you are in a party. Wet weather would be a different level of mountaineering I guess.

 

[Deathskull88]

Kifo:

Thanks for your detailed recount. I have done a few serious hikes over the recent years so I have a little experience of what to expect. The steep descents are always tricky and you have to hike carefully. You stayed in the huts right? Did you call them or email to make reservations?

I probably won't tackle the Daikiretto if it is in bad weather, that would be potentially suicidal haha.

 

[kifo]

Kifo:

Thanks for your detailed recount. I have done a few serious hikes over the recent years so I have a little experience of what to expect. The steep descents are always tricky and you have to hike carefully. You stayed in the huts right? Did you call them or email to make reservations?

I probably won't tackle the Daikiretto if it is in bad weather, that would be potentially suicidal haha.

i think you will need to have a small pack to attempt daikiretto so staying in the huts is a must. I didn't reserve as i was hiking on the weekdays so there were plenty of beds.

i hoped you have seen what is the level of difficulty at daikiretto like online?

 

[gundamhamtaro]

Take some time to watch the local tv programmes, if you are lucky there may be some program that is introducing a place/event/food that only you like. You need to be in Japan already to do this though..........

 

[Deathskull88]

i think you will need to have a small pack to attempt daikiretto so staying in the huts is a must. I didn't reserve as i was hiking on the weekdays so there were plenty of beds.

i hoped you have seen what is the level of difficulty at daikiretto like online?

Kifo:

Yup I did, numerous times haha. I have done my research pretty thoroughly. Had wanted to go last Sept but backed out because I felt I wasn't ready for the challenges. It isn't just the 大キレット that's dangerous, multiple parts along the route are risky.

Good to know reservation is not required on weekdays. Some of the hikers pack their own tents, using it partly or all the way.

Thanks again for your info!

 

[kifo]

updating the list with one new recommendation...

Cycle around Biwako!

Biwako is the largest lake in Japan in Shiga prefecture just north east of Kyoto. It has many historical sights as well as places of natural beauty. One can easily include a day or two going around Biwako in a Kansai holiday, and it definitely gives you a chance to enjoy more natural beauty after all the temples and eating in Kyoto and Osaka.

The complete loop of Biwako is 200km. Because the lake is bisected in the middle by the Biwako Ohashi bridge, the shorter northern loop is 160km and it is the most popular option for cyclists doing the ride. There are no cycling tracks on the western side of the southern loop so if you want to do the full 200km, that section has to be completed on roads with heavy traffic.

Most people complete the loop in 2 days on bike. This is very doable if you start off early around 7am and end each day around 6pm. This means you must ride about 80km each day. There are very few slopes and the cycling trail is mostly flat so it is not a problem for most fit cyclists. (If you have never cycled more than 50km before, I suggest you try it at home first.)

However, I would recommend that if you want to do a bit of sightseeing and enjoy the views, a more leisurely 3-4 days is recommended. There are a few places where you can rent a bicycle, especially at Hikone and 1 day rental is no more than JPY1000. more info on this website
http://pluscycle.shiga.jp/

Of course you can also rent a car to drive around. But you won't get as good as an experience as cycling as the cycle paths are often closer to the water and you won't be able to stop wherever you like on the road as traffic is quite heavy.

Some photos from my recent trip. I cycled from Kyoto so I covered 234 km in 3 days.

The usual starting point of the Biwako Cycle trail is the historical Seta no Karahashi bridge in Otsu city. This is just at the mouth of the Seta river into Biwako lake.

View of the Biwako Ohashi bridge with Mt Horai in the Hira Mountains.

Took a diversion to visit Himure Hachimangu Shrine.

The view from the ruin of Azuchi Castle, built by Oda Nobunaga.

There are at least two tunnels in the whole route. This is the old tunnel under Shizugatake.

The torii in the lake at Shirahige Jinja.

Plenty of beautiful and peaceful places like this all along the route.

Ukimi-do, a pavilion in the lake.

 

[touchme]

went to this biwako lake last autumn, but only the southern edges, carcamp the night over, re enroute to fukui.
Where's the pic of section of lake, filled with lotuses and waterlilies?

 

[kifo]

went to this biwako lake last autumn, but only the southern edges, carcamp the night over, re enroute to fukui.
Where's the pic of section of lake, filled with lotuses and waterlilies?

That is the Zezejoshi park I believe. It is next to the Omi Ohashi bridge. I have been to the park twice but I didn't take any photos of the lilies though.

 

[ahbunehneh]

Hi All!

I have 4 days in between osaka and tokyo and will like to find somewhere off the beaten path where the places aren't touristy.. Can drive or dont drive too.
Any advise for a couple looking for:-
relaxation. no hiking. Scenery. Animals. or flowers.
will be there in september! Is there any city where the temperature is lower?

 

[evilerniex]

Hi All!

I have 4 days in between osaka and tokyo and will like to find somewhere off the beaten path where the places aren't touristy.. Can drive or dont drive too.
Any advise for a couple looking for:-
relaxation. no hiking. Scenery. Animals. or flowers.
will be there in september! Is there any city where the temperature is lower?

for scenery and flower, maybe can go Ibaraki prefecture? lots of nature spots and can go Hitachi Seaside park for flowers. my trip report for reference here:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/j...baraki-tokyo-8-nov-22-nov-2013-a-4472233.html

there are many other places listed in this thread that are not touristy, so maybe look thru it and shortlist some of the places u are keen in

 

[missyvonnee]

for scenery and flower, maybe can go Ibaraki prefecture? lots of nature spots and can go Hitachi Seaside park for flowers. my trip report for reference here:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/j...baraki-tokyo-8-nov-22-nov-2013-a-4472233.html

there are many other places listed in this thread that are not touristy, so maybe look thru it and shortlist some of the places u are keen in

THANKS!!!
Have decided to visit kyotango and ine area for 4 days and the Hitachi sea side park .

 

[thwysg]

Just came back from a 19D trip to Central Japan and Tokyo (mid April to early May). Visited a couple of places that might be off the beaten path for most people. Do note that 99% visitors were locals in the attraction spots.

• Hida Ichinomiya - Visited 1,100 year old sakura tree also known as Garyuzakura during mankai.
• Noto-Kashima - A small station along Noto Railway also known as sakura station with Sakura trees lined both platforms. Took the special Satoyama Satoumi sightseeing train to this station.
• Omaki Onsen - A onsen located in the middle of Shogawa Gorge (in between Toyama and Gokayama), only accessible via Komaki sightseeing cruise boat. Surrounded by emerald green waters, mountains and the sky. Took us 4 hours of traveling (bus > bus > boat) from Wakura Onsen to this ryokan.
• Namerikawa - Local tour that brought us to the seasonal firefly-squid (hotaru-ika) catching in the wee hours. The squids glowed in blue when agitated.
• Tatebayashi - Once held the World Record of the most number of fish flags (koinobori) in a location. Visited the biggest lake with the fish flags and as well as the Tsutsuji-Gaoka Park nearby the lake. There are a few more gardens in this place such as Tobu Treasure Garden but we didn't have time. Can visit the lake when it's sakura season as the fish flags are usually put up by mid March.

 

[samtcy]

Not sure if it qualifies as "off the beaten tracks", but here are some suggestions from my recent trip:
- Iga Ninja museum (Iga): my blog entry

- Kobe Animal Kingdom (Kobe): I didn't see this place being mentioned much on travel sites, and since I enjoyed it so much, so am sharing it here.
my blog entry

- Yunokuni no mori handicraft village (Kaga Onsen): my blog entry

 

[joeson]

I'd think it's off the beaten track in Japan, since it's not heavily featured in guide books:

Cycling the Shimanami Kaido biking trail! For more details, you can refer to my thread here!

 

[thwysg]

Festivals - been to a couple. Takayama Spring Festival, Tenjin Matsuri, Edogawa Hanabi Taikai, Tokyo Bay Hanabi Taikai (suspended due to 2020 Olympics), Buddha's birthday aka Hana Matsuri with White Heron Dance and a handful of flower festivals. Still one of my favorite things to do in Japan - mingle with the locals and do what the locals do.

Edogawa Fireworks Festival (aka Edogawa Hanabi Taikai) - held along Edogawa River. There's paid seats and as well as free seating along both riverbanks. Went to Ichikawa one day before the event to "chope" seats by using thick masking tape to mark the area we wanted to have and "write" name with the tape so that others would know the person's who had reserved that area. The earlier you are, the better seats you'll get - closer to the paid seats.

There's small food stalls (not a lot) aka ya-tai, we got our food and drinks from the supermarket that was located next to Ichikawa station. Why I chose to sit along Ichikawa riverbank (further from Tokyo than the opposite riverbank) - 1. We could see the sunset; 2. Skytree Tower is visible; 3. We could see the fireworks that's on low ground (the organizers made Mt. Fuji shaped fireworks every year).

The whole performance took about 2 hours with music - the fireworks were shot high and low and on the river itself as well. Nothing like fireworks in SG. Ushers and police would be everywhere to direct people to the station. We managed to reach back Tokyo in less than an hour's time without squeezing into trains - the train staff allowed passengers into the station in batches.