Beyond Tokyo & Kyoto: A Scenic Japan Itinerary with Less Crowds

Summary

This 2-week itinerary takes travelers off the beaten path in Japan, showcasing the beauty of the countryside, nature, and traditional culture, all while prioritizing English-friendly locations and public transport. Starting in Tokyo, it includes stops in Kusatsu Onsen, Nagano, Matsumoto, the Japanese Alps, Takayama, and either Kanazawa or the Nakasendo Trail. With recommendations on accommodation, food, and sightseeing, this guide offers practical tips for first-time visitors, highlighting local specialties like oyaki dumplings and sanzoku-yaki fried chicken, as well as scenic hikes and historic sites.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tokyo is the starting point of the itinerary, with two nights allocated for getting your bearings in the city.
• 🚅 Booking Shinkansen tickets online in advance is recommended to avoid long lines at Tokyo Station ticket counters.
• 💳 Get an IC card (like Suica) to make travel more convenient and link it with your Shinkansen ticket for easy gate access.
• ♨️ Kusatsu Onsen is a must-visit destination known for its tattoo-friendly public onsens, perfect for a relaxing onsen experience.
• 🍱 Enjoy traditional multicourse Japanese meals and stay in charming Japanese inns with tatami rooms for an authentic experience in Kusatsu.
• 🌄 Nagano City is great for day trips, including visits to Zenkoji Temple and local delicacies like oyaki (dumplings) and soba noodles.
• 🐒 The famous Snow Monkey Park in Yamanouchi offers a chance to see monkeys bathing in hot springs, especially magical in winter but interesting in summer as well.
• 🏰 Matsumoto offers an iconic castle and scenic views, with a suggestion to wear removable shoes when exploring its interior.
• 🍗 Matsumoto is also known for sanzoku-yaki (fried chicken) and has cute traditional streets like Frog Street for shopping and local experiences.
• ⛰️ The Japanese Alps region offers beautiful nature, with spots like Kamikochi, Hirayu Onsen, and Norikura Kogen, ideal for scenic hikes and hot springs.
• 🏙️ Takayama is a beautifully preserved traditional town with highlights like the Old Town District, street food like hida-gyu, and the morning market.
• 🗺️ The itinerary ends with two options: visit Kanazawa for a traditional vibe with attractions like Kenrokuen Garden and Omicho Market, or hike the Nakasendo Trail through picturesque old towns.

Q & A

What is the focus of this itinerary in Japan?

The itinerary focuses on exploring Japan beyond the typical tourist cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, with an emphasis on countryside locations, nature, and traditional experiences, all while being English-friendly and easily accessible by public transport.

What is one tip for booking Shinkansen tickets in Japan?

It is recommended to book Shinkansen tickets online beforehand, especially from Tokyo Station, to avoid long lines at the ticket counters. You can use the ekinet website for booking.

What is the significance of an IC card like Suica in Japan?

An IC card like Suica is essential for ease of travel on public transport. If you have a physical card, you can link it to your Shinkansen tickets online, making it easier to pass through gates during your journey.

What makes Kusatsu Onsen a great destination?

Kusatsu Onsen is one of the best onsen towns in Japan, offering tattoo-friendly public onsens, a classic onsen town experience with yukatas, and a vibrant nighttime atmosphere. The town has traditional Japanese inns with multi-course meals, creating a fully immersive experience.

What can visitors experience at Zenkoji Temple in Nagano?

At Zenkoji Temple, visitors can explore a large, beautiful temple and a traditional street filled with shops and street food. A local food delicacy in the area is oyaki, a dumpling filled with various ingredients, which visitors should try.

What are the top day trips from Nagano City?

Two notable day trips from Nagano City are Togakushi Shrine, a beautiful shrine surrounded by tall trees and mountains, and the Yamanouchi area, home to the famous snow monkey park where monkeys bathe in hot springs, both of which are interesting to visit in any season.

What is Matsumoto famous for?

Matsumoto is known for its historic castle, one of Japan's few original castles, where visitors can climb steep stairs to enjoy stunning views. Additionally, the city offers traditional streets like Frog Street, art museums, and local specialties like sanzoku-yaki, a style of fried chicken.

What are some of the hiking and sightseeing options in the Japanese Alps?

In the Japanese Alps, visitors can explore Kamikochi Valley, famous for hiking and boardwalks, Hirayu Onsen for a traditional inn stay and stunning views from the Shinhotaka ropeway, and Norikura Kogen, known for easy hiking trails and hot springs.

What is Takayama known for?

Takayama is a charming traditional town with an old town district perfect for shopping and street food, such as hida-gyu, a local meat specialty. Visitors can also explore the Hida Folk Village to see gassho-style houses and experience traditional village life.

What are the two options for the end of the itinerary?

At the end of the itinerary, you can either visit Kanazawa, known for its traditional vibe, beautiful gardens like Kenrokuen, and seafood markets, or hike the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route between Tokyo and Kyoto, with beautiful towns like Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku along the way.