Please don't make me go to Meiji Mura again...
July 7, 2005 1:30 PM
Please help me find the best places off the beaten path in Japan.
I've lived in Japan and I will soon take my sixth trip there in three years. However, circumstances are changing and I might not be able to go back for a while. Some of my best experiences have been visiting out of the way spots (for example, Shimazaki Toson's grave). I'm looking for interesting places that can be accessed by train or bus. Bonus points for beautiful scenery, traditional arts and crafts or interesting shopping. Weird suggestions are also appreciated.
I speak Japanese, I will be travelling light, and I don't mind rural areas. I will be travelling to Kyushu, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tochigi Prefecture and Sapporo and I will have a JR pass, so almost anywhere is game.
I've lived in Japan and I will soon take my sixth trip there in three years. However, circumstances are changing and I might not be able to go back for a while. Some of my best experiences have been visiting out of the way spots (for example, Shimazaki Toson's grave). I'm looking for interesting places that can be accessed by train or bus. Bonus points for beautiful scenery, traditional arts and crafts or interesting shopping. Weird suggestions are also appreciated.
I speak Japanese, I will be travelling light, and I don't mind rural areas. I will be travelling to Kyushu, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tochigi Prefecture and Sapporo and I will have a JR pass, so almost anywhere is game.
Check out what festivals will be happening during your visit--you might want to schedule around that. I attended the Neputa in Hirosaki (held in August, IIRC), and that was really wonderful.
You've probably been to Hakone, but if you haven't, it's worth it. See if you can stay at the Hakone Taiyo Sanso in Gora (it was closed when I was there, but it looked really nice, and is apparently the one reasonable place in town).
posted by adamrice at 2:17 PM on July 7, 2005
You've probably been to Hakone, but if you haven't, it's worth it. See if you can stay at the Hakone Taiyo Sanso in Gora (it was closed when I was there, but it looked really nice, and is apparently the one reasonable place in town).
posted by adamrice at 2:17 PM on July 7, 2005
You don't mention when you are going, but if in a warm month I would choose some small town on the Japan Sea coast, the Tango hanto in the far north of Kyoto Prefecture (far from Kyoto city) or Awara Onsen in Fukui Prefecture, or someplace in Shimane or Tottori, or one of the small islands off Kagoshima.
posted by planetkyoto at 4:33 PM on July 7, 2005
posted by planetkyoto at 4:33 PM on July 7, 2005
Beppu, in western Kyushu, is famous for its onsens. The scenery is fabulous.
Nagasaki's an extremely cute little city to walk around in, if you haven't been there before.
posted by Jeanne at 5:15 PM on July 7, 2005
Nagasaki's an extremely cute little city to walk around in, if you haven't been there before.
posted by Jeanne at 5:15 PM on July 7, 2005
Quirky Japan was a good call, but I've been to everything but the cactus garden and Otagi Nenbutsu-ji. However, that temple sounds like a good find. Thanks!
Festivals are a good suggestion (I didn't even think of that) and so is Hakone. It's the one big attraction I haven't been to yet, but I dread the crowds.
You don't mention when you are going...
I'll be leaving Monday. Ack.
...one of the small islands off Kagoshima
Coincidentally, I will be going to sakurajima. I really want to see a volcano. Awara onsen might be the ticket. I'm always looking for new good hot springs. I haven't been very impressed with the Japan Sea coast, but that might be because Hagi and Kanazawa are not great examples.
Jeanne, Beppu is a good suggestion, but it's really not my style. What is there to see in Nagasaki? I think Hiroshima ruined me for atomic bomb victim memorials.
posted by Alison at 6:55 PM on July 7, 2005
Festivals are a good suggestion (I didn't even think of that) and so is Hakone. It's the one big attraction I haven't been to yet, but I dread the crowds.
You don't mention when you are going...
I'll be leaving Monday. Ack.
...one of the small islands off Kagoshima
Coincidentally, I will be going to sakurajima. I really want to see a volcano. Awara onsen might be the ticket. I'm always looking for new good hot springs. I haven't been very impressed with the Japan Sea coast, but that might be because Hagi and Kanazawa are not great examples.
Jeanne, Beppu is a good suggestion, but it's really not my style. What is there to see in Nagasaki? I think Hiroshima ruined me for atomic bomb victim memorials.
posted by Alison at 6:55 PM on July 7, 2005
When I was in Japan I spent a week staying at a boarding school in Nowhere, Japan. It was way up in the mountains north of Tokyo and quite relaxed. I had no Idea where I was going beforehand, and that was the best part.
If you have an unlimited rail pass of some sort (they come in various shapes and sizes) I'd reccomend hopping on a slow train (non bullet train) to somewhere out of the way and just exploring. Get away from the gaiijin tourist traps and find the nihonjin tourist traps.
If you can stomach it, metaphorically throw darts at a map of Japan, Find small towns with rail access and backpackability and stop your research there. Confirm that it exists and go. I had a blast because I didn't have any preconcieved tourist notions of what I should see. Wander. People are friendly.
posted by blasdelf at 12:36 AM on July 8, 2005
If you have an unlimited rail pass of some sort (they come in various shapes and sizes) I'd reccomend hopping on a slow train (non bullet train) to somewhere out of the way and just exploring. Get away from the gaiijin tourist traps and find the nihonjin tourist traps.
If you can stomach it, metaphorically throw darts at a map of Japan, Find small towns with rail access and backpackability and stop your research there. Confirm that it exists and go. I had a blast because I didn't have any preconcieved tourist notions of what I should see. Wander. People are friendly.
posted by blasdelf at 12:36 AM on July 8, 2005
I find it difficult to make recommendations without knowing a person, as people can have really differing tastes in travel. If you're going to stop in Shimonoseki or Northern Kyushu, let me know.
Shimonoseki & Mojiko, Nagasaki... taking the train along the coast on the san-in line (Yamaguchi-ken)... I'd recommend Mt. Aso, but I'm not sure how accessible it is without a car... There are many interesting small towns and sea ports...
Anyway, have a great trip!
posted by MightyNez at 7:54 AM on July 11, 2005
Shimonoseki & Mojiko, Nagasaki... taking the train along the coast on the san-in line (Yamaguchi-ken)... I'd recommend Mt. Aso, but I'm not sure how accessible it is without a car... There are many interesting small towns and sea ports...
Anyway, have a great trip!
posted by MightyNez at 7:54 AM on July 11, 2005
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I've only been once, and did mostly the typical touristy stuff so I probably can't offer much more. But if you're going to Kyoto and you've still never been to Nara, you should really make it down there as well.
posted by p3t3 at 2:00 PM on July 7, 2005