The 10 Best Places to Visit in Japan Beyond Tokyo
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, chances are that Tokyo is taking up a good portion of the itinerary—if not all of it. With its futuristic vibes, historical sites, staggering number of Michelin-starred restaurants, deep bench of hotel options, and sheer size, Tokyo rightfully takes up a lot of space among the most popular places to visit in Japan.
But you can’t really experience a country by seeing just one city—even a city as cool as Tokyo. If you’re traveling this far to a country this spectacular and varied, why not make your view of it as expansive as possible? From relaxing in hot springs to exploring historical venues and sampling great eats, there's so much to see and do outside the capital. Where do you even begin? Here are the ten top, must-see spots to visit in Japan beyond its amazing hub.
Related: 'Shōgun' Fans Need to Visit These 7 Historic Sites in Japan
10 Best Places to Visit in Japan
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Yokohama is just a 45-minute train ride south of Tokyo, right on Tokyo Bay, making it the perfect day trip if time is tight. Start at the Cup Noodles Museum, which offers visitors the novel experience of crafting their own Cup Noodles. In the process, you’ll end up accidentally learning a lot about the nature of innovation and market building. For an unexpected cultural experience, visit Yokohama’s Chinatown—the largest Chinatown in Asia—and go for a cultural triple play by getting a Vietnamese egg coffee and banh mi at Café Giáng.
Appreciate the views while riding the massive Ferris wheel located in the Cosmo World amusement park or perched atop Marine Tower, both of which offer spectacular vistas of Tokyo Bay. For a really unique sight, head over to the Gundam Factory to see a massive robotic Gundam walk. Finally, finish your day at Noge—an area of izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) and diners where it’s easy to find good drinks, tasty food, and even live music.
If you want some extra help planning an excursion to Yokohama, you’re in luck. It’s an area covered by Inside Japan Tours, which offers specialized itineraries and low-key guides who won’t push you into tourist traps.
Where to Stay: Yokohama is easy to do as a day trip from Tokyo, but if you’re planning an overnight stay in town, go big. The InterContinental Yokohama Grand, the iconic sail-like building in the city’s skyline, might be the only hotel you ever stay in that has its own cruise boat. Even if you don't venture onto the water, be sure to take advantage of the five-star hotel’s six restaurants, spa, and stunning views from every one of its 31 floors.
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Kyoto gets its fair share of tourism traffic, but that’s because it’s the perfect place to continue your post-Tokyo explorations. From the Gion district, where geisha are often spotted escorting their clients, to the vermillion-colored torii gates, Japan’s ancient capital is the perfect place to engage with the nation’s history. Ditch the crowds at Arashiyama and instead grab a cup of tea for a much more zen stroll at the nearby Okochi Sanso Garden. Or go all in and hike up the hill to visit Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, home to some of Japan’s cutest primates.
Nishiki Market is a popular place to grab a snack, but real insiders head to Engine Ramen. The restaurant serves a bowl of the classic Japanese noodle soup so good, visitors will line up before it opens (4:30 p.m.) to grab gluten-free, vegetarian, and meat-filled options.
Where to Stay: The Park Hyatt Kyoto is worth the hefty price tag. This upscale hotel offers unparalleled views of Yasaka Pagoda, a high-end bathhouse, and both Western and Japanese-style breakfast options—all in a temple-inspired environment for maximum relaxation and peace.
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Osaka’s rightful nickname is “The Kitchen of Japan.” After you’ve walked through Dotonbori and posed like the Glico Man (a massive neon sign that looms above Dotonbori bridge) or spent some time appreciating the city’s picture-perfect castle (take your photos from the plum grove area), it’s time to eat. Hit up a kushikatsu for the ultimate deep-fried snack experience. Grab takoyaki from a street vendor—filled with octopus, but you’re in for a light, potato-like bite. Slurp kitsune udon, a soup filled with fried tofu. Slice into okonomiyaki, savory pancakes that can be filled with meat, seafood, and veggies. If you have room for dessert (and you will here), two words: jiggly cheesecake.
Where to Stay: Book a room at one of the city’s three Mimaru Apartment Hotels, offering amenities you’re unlikely to find elsewhere—including onsite laundry facilities, rooms with enough space for working remotely (if you’re combining business and pleasure), and even projectors for post-sightseeing movie nights.
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Telling a Tokyo local you’re heading way west to Mie Prefecture might evoke surprise, but that’s all the more reason to visit this underrepresented region. Located about two hours south of Kyoto, the Misugi area (officially part of the city of Tsu) is packed with just as much history and culture as urban alternatives. Sample emerald-colored adzuki bean sweets made by fourth-generation candy makers at Azumaya. Try your hand at weaving straw, or throw your whole body into forest bathing (a guided walk that combines meditation with sightseeing in the area’s stunning woods). Due to the traditional nature of the village, many businesses don’t have a regular web presence, but activities can always be scheduled via the local tourism board.
Where to Stay: The Hinotani Onsen Misugi Resort is a must-visit for beer lovers. Here, you can sip suds brewed onsite and also soak in a traditional Japanese onsen, or hot spring bath. For endless beer sampling, book one of the hotel’s special tap rooms and see what happens when traditional Japanese design meets bar-room chic.
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Given its proximity to Kyoto, visitors often see Nara on a day trip, but staying overnight changes the experience dramatically. The city’s centerpiece, Nara Park (and its eponymous deer), is free to enter. However, because we’re dealing with wild animals, you’re not always guaranteed to see them in large numbers during a daytime visit. For your best odds of viewing the deer en masse, getting to the park before sunrise is crucial. Not only will you have the premises largely to yourself, but you might even catch the morning chant, delivered by a monk to welcome the deer to the park each morning. If you feel the need to get even more up close and personal with the residents of the park, a ￥200 bundle of shika senbei “deer crackers” will do the trick. Just remember that they’re wild animals, and they can be very assertive when presented with a snack.
Where to Stay: The goal here is access—so focus your hotel searches on the perimeter of the deer park. Feeling fancy? Kotonoyado Musashino, a high-end ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, will serve up an unforgettable experience. Otherwise, the very affordable Deer Park Inn—which features both private and shared rooms—makes it easy to get where you’re going: to see the deer.
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Located just two hours north of Tokyo, Minakami is the ideal location for a quick hit of stunning Japanese countryside. Go canyoning during the summer (a beginner-friendly combination of walking, scrambling, swimming, and crawling over boulders), or ski in the winter at one of the area’s nine resorts. It’s also a geothermal hot spot, so sink into a pool at the Minakami Onsen or Takaragawa Onsen (pictured) after a busy day of exploration for some relaxation and gorgeous views.
Where to Stay: If you pick the right hotel, you won’t have far to go after your bath. Traditional guesthouses like Kamimoku Onsen Tatsumikan offer picturesque soaks, saunas, and even post-spa charcoal-fire dinners.
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Located just 45 minutes west of Kyoto on the Seto Inland Sea, the port town of Himeji is home to one of Japan’s most stunning historical sites—the Himeji Castle. This architectural gem from 1333 is so well preserved, it’s worth making a special visit. (You might recognize it from its appearance in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.) Rumors of its formidable fortifications kept it from being attacked, a fun fact you’ll experience firsthand as you climb the steep hill and pass through increasingly smaller entryways to access the castle. Slip off your shoes to explore the many wonders inside, including a pillar made of now nearly extinct Japanese Cypress and intimidating guardian roof statues.
If all that history has you craving something a bit faster-paced, end your day at Himeji Central Park, which recently opened the country’s largest vertical loop roller coaster. Whatever you do, be sure to end your Himeji visit with a meal at Ekisoba, a soba shop in the city’s train station that’s so popular, many commuters will hop off the train just to grab a bite.
Where to Stay: Combine a day of history with a stay at Besso Himeji. The guest house combines traditional Japanese elements like an ultra-deep bathtub and shoji room dividers with a modern, airy style. It’s also one of the larger accommodations in the city, making it ideal if you’re traveling with multiple people.
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After recovering from the devastation of World War II, Hiroshima has become a monument to peace. You can still see the Genbaku Dome (above), a ruined building that stands as a memorial to those killed in the atomic bombing of 1945. It’s buffered by Peace Memorial Park, a location filled with tributes to nonviolence, folded paper cranes, and—during the spring—a stunning display of cherry blossoms. Couple your visit to the city with a trip out to Itsukushima, home to an iconic, water-bound torii gate. Once you work up an appetite, try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a savory pancake piled high with noodles.
Where to Stay: The Grand Prince Hotel is located on a peninsula about a 20-minute ride from Hiroshima’s central station, which means along with its opulent aesthetic, you’ll get a resort-like sense of privacy. Grab dinner at the hotel’s upper bar for ideal views of the bay at sunset. The hotel can also book you an express boat to Itsukushima.
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Anime fans, take note: Nagoya (about four hours west of Tokyo) is home to Ghibli Park. Just make sure to book ahead, as reservations fill up fast. But you don’t have to be obsessed with Howl’s Moving Castle to enjoy Japan’s fourth-largest city. The city is home to Toyota, so gearheads will definitely want to check out the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology. Engineering minds of any age will find something to like at Legoland.
For traditional Japanese sightseeing, Nagoya has you covered, too. Nagoya Castle is one of Japan’s most well-regarded and largest castles, while Atsuta Shrine is considered to be one of the most sacred spots in the entire country.
Where to Stay: Lamp Light Books Hotel is a no-nonsense boutique hotel located behind a 24-hour bookstore and café, giving visitors a chance to travel through literature while also enjoying the trip of a lifetime.
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Eastern Hokkaido is an area so packed with national parks that it requires its own entry on this list. Although most tourists don’t venture off Honshu, Japan’s main island, Hokkaido (the country’s most northern island) is quickly gaining a reputation as a place for adventure seekers. Bike alongside world-class athletes in training along Kanayama Lake’s postcard-worthy views (see above). Get your Lord of the Rings cosplay on at Asahidake, where you can hike alongside an active volcano. It's also a renowned backcountry ski destination. Or just relax and take in jaw-dropping views on the region’s many cable car routes. Added bonus: Hokkaido is one of the biggest dairy producing regions in the country, so you’re never far from Japan’s ubiquitous soft-serve ice cream.
Where to Stay: Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort is a sprawling complex featuring karaoke and an onsen with stunning views for post-hike relaxation. Stretch out in the resort’s Western-style rooms, or cozy up on tatami mats in the Japanese-style accommodations.
