Once you consider one of the best cities to go to in Japan, you normally consider must-see locations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. I like all these cities, however they’re not the types of locations I’m going to be speaking about on this put up.
Relatively, I’m going to highlight underrated Japanese cities which might be dwelling to a number of the most fascinating issues to do in Japan, however get unnoticed of the dialog for any of quantity causes—specifically, lack of identify recognition. Have you ever ever heard of Shimonoseki? Matsuyama? Didn’t assume so.
In a good world, many of those cities can be high Japan vacationer spots—and a few of them might but obtain that designation. For now, nevertheless, vacationers daring sufficient to go to the underrated Japanese cities I’m about to listing (certainly, to enterprise off the crushed path of high cities in Japan) can be rewarded with mild crowds, low costs and a really genuine expertise.
Why Ought to You Discover Japan Past Tokyo, Kyoto, et al?
Even in the event you low cost the person qualities that make the underrated Japanese cities I’m about to listing so uniquely price visiting, there’s worth to getting off Japan’s vacationer path. That is very true in the event you go to throughout cherry blossom season or when autumn colours are at their peak. Usually tranquil streets in Kyoto may be absolute madhouses, even at early hours of the morning and late at evening.
In fact, it isn’t simply journey at peak intervals that improves while you go to these underrated cities in Japan. It’s debatable that since so few foreigners go to these locations, comparatively talking, they’re objectively extra “Japanese” total, each in aesthetic phrases, in addition to in relation to the varied experiences you may have whereas touring there. After which there’s the response of locals to you—in these spots, they’re nonetheless glad to satisfy gaikokujin.
Japan Past the Core Cities
Hagi
The place do I even start with Hagi? Culturally, in fact, it’s essential, being dwelling to considered one of Japan’s best-preserved Samurai districts, in addition to the Hagi-yaki pottery custom. It’s additionally attention-grabbing landscape-wise, positioned on a very stunning a part of the Sea of Japan coast, and with vegetation that ranges from palms, to mikan bushes to cherry blossoms within the spring. The perfect half? Its comparatively distant location implies that there are mainly no vacationers right here, and positively not any overseas ones.
Hakodate
Why do I contemplate Hakodate, the southernmost main metropolis in Hokkaido, to be among the many finest cities in Japan? Let me rely the methods. Whether or not I benefit from the well-known “evening view” from Mt. Hakodate, eat my manner by Hakodate Morning Market, discover star-shaped Goryokaku Fort (which is very stunning throughout cherry blossom season) or take a shower at Yunokawa Onsen, Hakodate is a delight for all of your senses, and undoubtedly one of many underrated cities in Japan.
Kobe
Ubiquitous primarily for being dwelling to Japan’s (and perhaps the world’s) most beloved beef, Kobe is nonetheless a metropolis whose charms it took me years to totally recognize. And there are many charms, from multiculturalism (Kitano-cho hearkens again to Kobe’s Western previous, whereas Nankin Machi is considered one of Japan’s most enjoyable Chinatowns), to pure magnificence like Nunobiki Herb Backyard and Mts. Maya and Rokko, to distinctive day journeys like Himeji Fort and Awaji Island.
Matsuyama
The most important metropolis of Shikoku island, Matsuyama is a microcosm of what makes Japan’s smallest island such an enormous deal with for vacationers. Stroll or take the cable automobile as much as Matsuyama Fort, and enter its Seventeenth-century maintain for an unobstructed view of the Seto Inland Sea, or take a classic road automobile to Dogo Onsen, dwelling not solely to the oldest public bathtub home constructing in Japan, but in addition one of many key temples of Shikoku’s 88-Temple Pilgrimage Path the island’s main declare to fame.
Nagasaki
Although its enjoys comparatively excessive identify recognition, Nagasaki hardly ever makes lists of one of the best cities to go to in Japan—and that’s a disgrace. Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki is way more than its tragic previous. Pay your respects at Nagasaki Peace Park and Nagasaki Floor Zero, certain, but in addition be certain that to go to Dejima, one of many solely locations in Japan foreigners had been allowed previous to the Meiji Restoration. Absorb a glittering evening view from Mt. Inasa, then seize a desk at local-favorite Menya At all times, the place you may slurp down a bowl of distinctive yuzu-infused ramen.
Naha
The prefectural capital of Naha shouldn’t be normally excessive on vacationers’ lists of locations to go to in Okinawa—let their loss be your achieve. Begin on the ruins of Shuri Fort, the place the royalty of the Ryukyu Kingdom lived from the fifteenth century till the Japanese Empire eliminated them from energy within the late-Nineteenth. Spend the afternoon at Shikina-en backyard with a hearty bowl of Okinawa soba, or at seaside Naminoue Shrine, earlier than ending your day with a plate of steaming taco rice alongside the Kokusai-Dori “Worldwide Avenue.”
Okayama
Though Okayama has lengthy been standard amongst vacationers from Asian nations resembling Taiwan and Malaysia, I discover that almost all Westerners skip over it. It is a disgrace—and never simply because town’s distinctive fort is actually framed by the greenery of Koraku-en, one of many high three panorama gardens in Japan. This says nothing of culinary delights resembling barazushi sashimi rice bowls or okonomiyaki made with locally-caught oysters, or day-trip locations such because the historic metropolis of Kurashiki, or the harbor city of Onomichi.
Sendai
It took me a very long time—seven years, if we’re counting—to understand Sendai for what it’s. Earlier than that, I used town as most foreigners (and certainly, a large number of Japanese) do: As a stopping-off level between the Tokyo space and extra thrilling locations farther afield in Tohoku and Hokkaido. Whether or not you keep within the metropolis heart and go to points of interest resembling Zuihoden and the Aoba Fort Ruins, or take day journeys to Yamadera temple and the Matsushima Bay scenic space alongside the coast, I’ve a sense Sendai goes to impress you. I additionally extremely suggest coming in summer time for the Tanabata Matsuri competition!
Shimonoseki
The westernmost main metropolis on Honshu island, Shimonoseki is notorious for fugu pufferfish, a meal that’s probably deadly…properly, at the least in its sashimi type. Nevertheless, this (and the opposite contemporary sushi obtainable in great Karato Market) is much from the one motive to go to. Inside the metropolis heart, the Chofu district is dwelling to a lush backyard and well-maintained Samurai properties, when you’ll want a little bit of time (and a set of wheels) to entry Tsunoshima bridge, which is suspended over dazzlingly blue waters. Want a exercise? Stroll to Kyushu in a tunnel beneath the Kanmon Straits no much less.
Yonago
If we’re merely speaking concerning the city core across the practice station, it could be arduous for me to say that Yonago is among the many finest cities in Japan. Nevertheless, the array of locations inside day-trip distance is actually staggering. From Sakaiminato port and its eclectic seafood market, to attractive Adachi Museum of Artwork, and from thrilling Mt. Daisen to Kurayoshi with its quirky Pear Museum and cliff-hewn Nageire-do temple, Yonago is a gateway to lots of the finest experiences in Japan, and is one of the best Japanese metropolis for vacationers of a sure stripe.
How Lengthy Ought to You Spend in Japan?
A Japan itinerary can take as many types as you may think about, and may final as lengthy or quick as your time obtainable to spend in Japan. A few of my favourite journeys have comprised simply one week in Japan, although I’ve additionally traveled for 3 weeks and even one month in Japan and nonetheless felt, on the finish, like I may’ve saved going.
Generally, I’d say that in the event you plan to shirk well-known locations in Japan for greater than a few the underrated locations in Japan I’ve listed on this put up, you must purpose to spend at the least two weeks in Japan. And longer than that, in the event you can: Should you’ve by no means been to Japan earlier than, you’ll spend every week to 10 days merely masking your bases in Tokyo and Kyoto!
Different FAQ In regards to the Greatest Cities in Japan
What’s the most stunning metropolis in Japan?
Magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, however I’ve a comfortable spot for Japanese cities like Kyoto and Kanazawa, which combine trendy and vibrant city tradition with timeless historic structure. I additionally love Japanese cities constructed round scenic harbors, resembling notorious Nagasaki on Kyushu island and Hakodate, which sits on an isthmus between two bays close to southern tip of Hokkaido.
What’s the most secure metropolis in Japan?
All Japanese cities are extraordinarily secure. Certainly, the one place in Japan you may have even an opportunity of encountering crime might be Kabukicho within the Shinjuku space of Tokyo, and even right here you’re unlikely to get into hassle in the event you aren’t associating with problematic individuals.
What’s the finest a part of Japan?
In all places in Japan is price visiting, however I’ve a comfortable spot for a couple of locations. The subtropical and (comparatively) small islands of Shikoku and Kyushu impress me with their versatility and eclecticism, whereas off-the-beaten-path areas resembling San’in and Tohoku will wow you, particularly because you’ll possible don’t have any expectations of both moving into.
The Backside Line
The perfect cities to go to in Japan aren’t at all times ones you examine in guidebooks. Take pleasure in unimaginable evening views on supply in Hokkaido’s Hakodate and Kyushu’s Nagasaki, or push your culinary boundaries in Shimonoseki in Honshu’s far west. Or, discover forlorn historical past, be that on the famed fort of Shikoku’s Matsuyama, within the Samurai districts of Hagi on the Sea of Japan or on the seashore in Naha, the capital of the Okinawa archipelago. Japan is simply so than Tokyo and Kyoto, and than the bogus “overtourism” narrative the media pushes out concerning the nation. Make your journey to underrated cities in Japan much more particular with a customized Japan itinerary.