Permit me to take away among the guilt you could be feeling proper now: There’s no disgrace in Googling alternate options to Kyoto. Japan’s former capital (and my former dwelling) is great, however it’s already very firmly on Japan’s well-trodden vacationer path.
The excellent news? When you have lengthy sufficient in Japan, you may simply tack considered one of these locations onto a extra commonplace journey, which can or could not embody Kyoto.
The higher information? Your subsequent journey to Japan nearly definitely received’t be your final. Even in the event you spend it in a decidedly non-standard manner, you may all the time come again to Kyoto sooner or later—and also you nearly definitely will, time and again, if my very own expertise is any indication.
Kyoto is Wonderful—however Japan Doesn’t Finish There
It’s best to consider these alternate options to Kyoto not as “higher” selections, however completely different ones. You also needs to be conscious that whereas visiting them will make sense on sure journeys to Japan, you’ll have causes for wanting to remain in Kyoto-proper throughout others ones. It’s not an both/or state of affairs—it’s each/and all the above. The Japan Nationwide Tourism Affiliation wasn’t kidding after they characterised Japan as being about “infinite discovery”!
For those who’ve by no means been to Kyoto (and even Japan) earlier than, you could select to spend an evening or two in considered one of these cities earlier than or after your journey to Kyoto. For those who’re a veteran traveler, in the meantime, you would possibly skip Kyoto subsequent time, however endeavor to come back again the time after that. As a former resident of town, I can let you know personally that point and distance positively make the guts develop fonder!
Historic Japanese Cities to Go to (Apart from Kyoto)
Kanazawa
Typically referred to as the “Kyoto of the North,” Kanazawa shares plenty of frequent options with Kyoto. Geisha districts; historic structure alongside tranquil rivers; and even a spot referred to as “Higashiyama.” It’s an incredible vacation spot even barring comparisons to Kyoto, nevertheless, being dwelling to a stunning (albeit reconstructed) fort, to not point out considered one of Japan’s three nice gardens. (It’s additionally a lot busier nowadays than it was once, be warned!)
Hagi
I hate to deal in absolutes, however I will likely be frank: Hagi, if it had even a barely higher location, would completely be Japan’s subsequent massive journey factor. Hagi has all the things, from a perfectly-preserved Samurai-era fort city, to a terrific viewpoint accessible solely through an exhilarating hike, to distinctive…botanical circumstances. It even has an extended, sand seashore and affords boat excursions. I imply, what’s to not love?
Kakunodate
If you wish to ensure you discover Samurai-era structure whenever you search out alternate options to Kyoto, Akita prefecture’s Kakunodate (Japan’s best-preserved such village) needs to be on the prime of your checklist. Whereas particularly lovely in late April, when its well-known “weeping” sakura timber are blooming, and in early November after they blaze yellow and orange, this Shinkansen-accessible machi is great at any time of 12 months.
Nara
Nara, in contrast, is a really well-known metropolis, significantly for its massive (and social media-famous) inhabitants of city deer. Whereas many vacationers who come right here respect town for being dwelling to among the world’s oldest wood structure, particularly the Todai-ji Nice Buddha Corridor, you may as well hire a automotive and discover outlying allure, similar to historic Asuka (which predates even Kyoto as Japan’s capital) and sakura hub Mt. Yoshino.
Takayama
Formally referred to as “Hida-Takayama,” this river-straddling city within the coronary heart of the Japanese Alps has all of it. For those who tire of views of cherry blossoms or fall colours behind its iconic, vermillion Nakabashi bridge, you may discover the historic service provider districts and cemeteries of Takayama‘s western half, or take a day journey to Shirakawago, its equally as charming neighbor.
Narai
Extra a group of previous submit cities than a single one, the Nakasendo contains an historic route that when served to move mail between Kyoto and Edo, which is now Tokyo. Notable cities embody Magome (the furthest west one, the place walks usually start) and Narai (which isn’t to be confused with Nara!), which sits all the best way to the east and is known for its lacquerware, and is my favourite city alongside the route.
Sakata
Certainly, whereas Kanazawa is comparatively in style, the Tohoku area’s Sakata is without doubt one of the alternate options to Kyoto that many vacationers have by no means heard of. Properly, not fashionable ones: Now-sleepy Sakata was one of the crucial necessary Sea of Japan port cities throughout the Edo interval, throughout which its rice storehouses and Maiko tea homes had been extra than simply barely-visited vacationer sights.
Hiraizumi
Iwate prefecture’s Hiraizumi, like Kanazawa, is usually referred to as the “Kyoto of the North”—and extra precisely, for my part. Properly precisely, at the very least, by way of what individuals anticipate of Kyoto: A small and nearly totally historic metropolis, whether or not you’re on the town at Chuson-ji and Motsu-ji temples, or simply outdoors on the magnificent Takkoku-no-iwaya advanced.
Onomichi
Positioned about midway between Hiroshima and Okayama, Onomichi is a gem that’s not precisely “hidden,” however fairly one which many vacationers merely blow proper previous. When you end having fun with harbor views at beautiful, hilltop Senko-ji, you may both head down into city, or hire bikes and journey the Shimanami Kaido.
Shimabara
Shimabara isn’t massively in style, and for a number of causes. For one, it’s a aspect journey from Nagasaki, which is itself not Japan’s hottest metropolis. Secondly, it sits fairly actually within the shadows of Mt. Unzen, the place many day trippers from Nagasaki go as a substitute. Whereas Shimbara Citadel, for its half, is just not even authentic, the city simply oozes allure, significantly as a result of its drains are crammed with koi (which, to be honest, is true of many different historic cities in Japan).
Is Kyoto Price Visiting?
Kyoto is totally value visiting—and revisiting! A lot in the identical manner as Rome whenever you’re touring in Italy, Kyoto is so stuffed with historical past, tradition and structure that you just uncover one thing new each time you go to. The concept of by no means visiting Kyoto, or of solely doing so a few times, is sort of unfathomable to me. Kyoto will wow even essentially the most cynical “I’m a traveler, not a vacationer” kind, and even on essentially the most crowded days.
If something, visiting all these alternate options to Kyoto will reinforce the truth that whereas different cities in Japan can declare a few of Kyoto’s historic and cultural would possibly, none can substitute it, and even actually match it to any notable extent. Kyoto is a kind of world cities that’s mainly peerless on this regard. In some ways, Kyoto is Japan—and Japan is Kyoto.
Different FAQ About Historic Cities in Japan
What’s the oldest metropolis in Japan?
Having been based as Heian within the 12 months 794, Kyoto is Japan’s oldest remaining metropolis, though sure websites inside the nation are technically older. A notable instance of that is the Yoshinogari website in Saga prefecture, which was constructed throughout the Yayoi interval a number of thousand years earlier than Kyoto.
Are there nonetheless previous villages in Japan?
Japan is totally of previous villages, though many have been partially or totally reconstruction. From Samurai cities like Akita’s Kakunodate to the previous submit cities alongside the Nakasendo Means within the Japanese Alps, Japan is without doubt one of the simpler international locations on the earth to come across the previous within the current day.
What are essentially the most conventional locations in Japan?
Clearly, Japan’s former capital Kyoto is its most conventional place, however the actuality is that custom lives alongside modernity all through the nation. That is as true in sleepier cities similar to Kanazawa and Sakata as it’s in Tokyo, the place districts like Yanaka and Asakusa really feel like going again in time.
The Backside Line
Strive not to consider these alternate options to Kyoto as alternate options a lot as dietary supplements. For instance, whereas Kanzawa is usually referred to as the “Kyoto the North,” it’s not a lot a alternative for the unique as it’s an enhancement. And that’s the factor. Whether or not you go to Sakata, Takayama, Kakunodate or the previous submit cities of the Nakasendo, you aren’t doing so as a result of Kyoto isn’t value visiting. If something, you’re heading off Japan’s overwhelmed path to remind your self of all of the wonderful issues about its extra mainstream locations, that are generally misplaced amid the crowded streets of Higashiyama. Be sure that your subsequent journey to Japan is one-of-a-kind by hiring me to plan it.