Japan is a highly popular travel destination that attracts millions of tourists every year. The island country located in the northwest Pacific Ocean is an affordable destination that one can explore even on a shoestring budget. Book flights to Japan right away to enjoy and experience the traditional Japanese culture and its popular destinations such as Shinsekai, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Kerama Islands as well as places like Tokyo and Kyoto which are truly amazing. However, have you ever wondered that there is a lot more to Japan than Sushi, its most famous dish and Mt. Fuji, the tallest peak of the country?
You are just on the right page if looking for off the beaten path experiences during your trip to Japan and look for those unusual things to see and explore in any country. What are you waiting for? Just book those cheap flights to Tokyo and discover those hidden, unique, and offbeat Japanese experiences.
Here are some suggestions for offbeat spots to explore in Japan.
Aoshima, the Cat Island in Ehime
The island in Ehime Prefecture is well famous for its large population of cats. The number of feline residents has skyrocketed as the elderly population of the island died. The island has more cats than people, and there are “haunted” burial grounds plus an amusement park. This is indeed a favorite spot for all cat lovers. Foodies can visit a museum that rejoices the creation of the omnipresent noodles.
Ueno Park in Taitō
Check out the Ueno Park where one can enjoy the unique charms of the country within a single venue. The spacious public park is located in Tokyo and was established in 1873. The park offers a plethora of attractions and also boasts of a bustling shopping bazaar that features the fragments of an ancient black market. Have a look at nearby Yanaka that reminds you of the historical and cultural past of the city.
Aogashima Island in Archipelago
Visit the sparsely populated island in the Philippine Sea, where the local residents literally live near the volcano’s crater. It was in 1785 when the volcano last erupted, and the residents here do not worry about the island’s volcanic history and enjoy the tourist-free solitude of Aogashima island. Enjoy spectacular views from Oyama Observatory Park or dive into the warm waters and see how the natural energy of geothermal spas is used for cooking.
Jigokudani Monkey Park in Yamanouchi
Jigokudani Monkey Park is populated by Snow Monkeys, the Japanese Macaques, who are the most northern living non-human primates. The harsh landscape of the area is bubbling with hot springs, and you will find those Jigokudani Monkeys warming up in the steamy waters of the springs. It is indeed an incredible experience to see those popular monkeys of Japanese fables enjoy a natural spa retreat.
Wisteria Tunnel in Kitakyushu
Walkthrough the Wisteria Tunnel of the Kawachi Fuji Gardens in Kitakyushu and feel like a character from those fairy tales. Wisteria is an attractive ornate vine member of the pea family and graces the tunnel with its winding branches and elegant hanging flowers. Enjoy the look and fragrance of the bloom of the lavender flowers in varying pastel shades in the colorful flower tunnel. Make sure to visit during late April or early May to enjoy the full bloom.
Sagano Bamboo Forest in Kyoto
Visit the Sagano Bamboo Forest to escape the sounds of the city and enjoy the peaceful and quiet sound of swaying stalks in this stunning bamboo grove. The tranquil nature spot is a sharp contrast to the urbanity that surrounds it and is fast becoming popular among the locals and the tourists. Listen to the peaceful sounds of the wind as it passes through the tightly packed plants of the towering bamboo forest. Enjoy the meditative natural noise and appreciate the acoustic wonders of the Sagano Bamboo Forest.
Okunoshima in Takehara
Okunoshima, a small island in the Inland Sea of Japan, is well known for its walking trails and campsites as well as about a thousand rabbits that dwell in the island. The island attracts loads of tourists who love to feed and cuddle the cute furry creatures. With no natural predators, it is no surprise to see the population of those rabbits grow steadily. The island does carry a dark shade of past history as it was used for the production of chemical weapons during World War II.
Mandarado Yagura in Kamakura
Have a look at the different side of Japan in Mandarado Yagura that lures both Japanese and foreign tourists alike. The key attractions are the gigantic Buddha statue and more than 160 caves in three tiers that form the “Yagura” collection in Japan. These caves date back to the 15th century and carry remains of Samurai culture, which was once the military capital of Japan. Explore the hiking trails in the area to access the ancient caves.
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum in Yokohama
Known to be the world’s first food-themed amusement park, the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is dedicated to the national dish of the country, the Ramen. Here you will get to know about more than 30 ramen specialties as well learn about the history of Ramen as you walk through the museum. There are many shops around selling delicious noodles and broth, bowls, chopsticks, and more.
Obama Onsen in Unzen-shi
Obama Onsen boasts of more than 30,000 natural hot springs and is believed to be the hottest footbath that is 105 meters long and at 105 degrees Celsius. However, some of the hot springs are cooled for the comfort of the tourists and guests. Take a selfie with the cartoon image of President Obama in a hot spring in the background. The natural hot springs seem to have taken advantage of the President’s name as Obama means “little beach” in Japanese.
The list of unique spots and places in Japan could just go on and on. However, the above-listed options are some good options, to begin with. Explore Japan from a different perspective and walk on off the beaten path to the remote or lesser-known area to discover some hidden touristic gems.