Go Deeper: 5 Must-Visit Japanese Destinations That Aren’t Tokyo
Itsukushima’s famous “floating” torii gate.
When you hear the word "Japan," what comes to mind?
Is it samurai films or Studio Ghibli? Kabuki theater or manga? Sushi, sumo or the Shinkansen? For some it’s the image of Mt. Fuji’s iconic cone shape reaching toward the sky on a hazy horizon. For others it might be the graceful stillness of a Kyoto temple or the neon buzz of a Tokyo crosswalk. Maybe it’s the vending machines, the zen gardens, the video games, a bowing Geisha, the mascots, the obsession with seasonal limited-edition snacks. Maybe what comes to mind is an impression — a feeling of sorts — that lures you in out of curiosity and begs you to look closer.
For many first-timers, that closer look begins in Tokyo. And I get it — the most populous city on earth is dynamic, brimming with energy and culture. It’s the kind of place where every alleyway or elevator could hold a surprise. Tokyo is electric. Complex. Worth experiencing. One moment you’re standing beneath hundreds of red torii gates, the next you're inside a minimalist cafe where the ice cubes are carved by hand. The next? You’re sitting in a restaurant watching a chaotic robot show or at a bar where the menu is populated not by drinks, but by boys or girls of different personalities, waiting to be chosen as your “date” for the night. It’s fascinating. (If you’ve ever watched Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown episode on Tokyo, you know exactly what I mean.)
But if you're only looking at Tokyo, you're missing the bigger picture.
See, one of the most beautiful things about Japan is that it isn’t just one thing. This country — stretching as far north to south as Maine to Florida, but geographically small enough to fit inside California — is a tapestry, stitched together by regional flavors, local traditions, dialects, landscapes, & micro-cultures. And while Tokyo is a force of nature in its own right, it doesn’t speak for the whole country.
As someone who lived in Japan for over a year, I’ve seen firsthand how much richness lies just beyond the capital. The U.S., for all its size, often feels culturally same-y from coast to coast. Same strip malls, same big-box stores, same Starbucks. Same Same. But in Japan? Each place has its own "-ness." Its own mood. Its own magic. And sometimes, all it takes is a train ride to feel like you've entered an entirely new story.
So here’s my love letter to the rest of Japan — the lesser-Instagrammed, sometimes-overlooked destinations that make this country one of the most rewarding places I’ve ever explored.
These aren’t just alternatives to Tokyo — they're invitations to go deeper.
Osaka’s Ebisu Bridge at night, connecting the Shinsaibashi and Namba over the Dotonbori River.
1. Osaka (and the Kansai Region)
Let’s start with the obvious, and also my personal favorite.
Osaka was my home in Japan, and it couldn’t feel more different from Tokyo. It’s Japan’s third-largest city, nestled in the heart of Osaka Bay in the Kansai region on Honshu’s southern coast. Kansai is often referred to as “Japan’s Kitchen”, and for good reason. Osaka, itself, is a culinary hub and food-lover’s paradise: think street-side takoyaki stalls, sizzling okonomiyaki, deep-fried kushikatsu, and tiny ramen shops with life-changing broth. Or if fine-dining is more your speed, the city boasts over 90 Michelin-starred restaurants, making it one of the top culinary destinations in the world. Outside of food, there’s plenty of shopping, bars, temples and museums. The city is also home to Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan (where I performed), a great aquarium, and a ferris wheel that doubles as weather forecaster.
But what makes Osaka extra special is its vibe. There’s an openness, a groundedness here. People laugh louder, smile quicker. It’s scrappier than Tokyo, but that’s part of the charm. And the surrounding region? Unreal.
Geographically, Osaka is perfectly positioned for some of the most iconic day trips in the country. Hop a train and in 30 minutes you can be:
In Kyoto, wandering ancient temple grounds and gorgeous bamboo groves. (Did you know Kyoto served as Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years?)
In Nara, feeding some very friendly deer in a UNESCO World Heritage park. (The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, actually.)
In Kobe, eating some of the world’s most famous beef. (Don’t forget to take a picture with the city’s protector, a 59 ft. tall statue of the manga character Tetsujin 28.)
Osaka’s location also makes it a perfect launchpad for day trips that shine in every season: Hike to Minoo Falls in autumn and eat kaki as you marvel at the beauty of nature’s colorful display; bask under the blooms of 30,000 cherry blossom trees on Mt. Yoshino in spring as you eat sakura flavored soft-serve; or journey to Mt. Koya in summer and explore this misty mountaintop spiritual haven which is the start (or end) of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
You could base yourself in Osaka for two weeks and never run out of places to explore.
View of the A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.
2. Hiroshima & Miyajima Island
This duo deserves to be experienced together, not only because of proximity, but because of the emotional arc they form.
Hiroshima is a city that changed the world — and carries that weight with quiet grace. As most know, it was devastated by the atomic bombing it sustained in 1945. The city itself, rebuilt with wide boulevards, riverside promenades, and thoughtful urban planning, feels quite unlike other Japanese cities that grew organically over the course of centuries.
At the heart of the city lies the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. This place is powerful. Emotional. Necessary. You walk through ruins, read survivor stories, and are confronted with both humanity’s propensity for destruction and its indomitable spirit in the face of absolute tragedy. It’s an experience that lingers with you long after you leave.
And then, there’s Miyajima. This island feels like a magical dream. As you arrive on the ferry from Hiroshima, you’re greeted by its famous floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine, which appears to hover atop the water at high tide, a surreal gateway to a place that hums with spiritual energy. Wild deer roam the streets. Winding trails lead to panoramic mountaintop views of the island with its peaceful shrines and temples poking out of the forest, as well as the surrounding Hiroshima Bay.
Spending 2–3 days between Hiroshima and Miyajima gives you a perfect blend of history, nature, and the profound.
Hokkaido flower fields
3. Hokkaido
Full disclosure: I haven’t been here yet. But it’s calling to me.
Japan’s northernmost island feels like its own world when compared to the regions I experienced. With snowy mountains, lush forests, and coastal fishing towns, Hokkaido — Japan’s 2nd largest island — is a four-season dream. In winter, Niseko and Rusutsu are home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. In summer, lavender fields bloom in Furano and hikers take to national parks like Shiretoko (a UNESCO site).
Hot springs like Noboribetsu and Jozankei offer steamy relief in colder months, and the seafood — especially crab, uni, and scallops — is said to be next-level. Hokkaido is also home to Japan’s indigenous Ainu people, whose cultural contributions and traditions are finally getting more national attention.
If you want wide-open spaces and natural beauty, this is your spot. But don’t expect to do it all in one trip.
The natural sand dunes of Tottori
4. Tottori
When you think of Japan’s landscapes, what comes to mind?
Mountains and lush forests? Sure!
Volcanoes rising out of the sea? Yep.
Deserts perched on the coast? Absolut- …wait… what?
Yes, you heard me. Japan has a desert. (Kind of.)
Tottori, located on the Sea of Japan, is home to the country’s only sand dunes. Formed over thousands of years from river and ocean sediment, these constantly shifting dunes can reach up to 50 meters high and stretch for kilometers. And it’s here you can ride a camel or be pulled in a horse-drawn cart over the dunes. You can sandboard. You can paraglide. Or you can just sit atop a dune and marvel at how weird and wonderful the world is. But Tottori is more than just dunes — it’s part of Sanin Kaigan National Park, a coastal area with hiking trails, caves, and pristine beaches — a great place for adventure of all shapes and sizes.
Tottori also offers a quieter, more rural slice of Japan. There are fewer tourists, more time to wander. So, if you’re the kind of traveler who gets excited about geological quirks and off-the-beaten-path landscapes? You’ll love it here.
Once an island, a 1914 eruption of Sakurajima and the subsequent lava flow joined it to the main land, turning it into a peninsula.
5. Sakurajima (and Yakushima)
Let’s end with another nature-forward destination and a little fiery drama.
Sakurajima, off the coast of Kagoshima in southern Kyushu, is Japan’s most active volcano and is high on my list of “must-see” destinations in Japan. It erupts regularly — but minorly — puffing out smoke and ash like a sleeping dragon. A quick ferry ride from Kagoshima gets you to Sakurajima and aside from getting close enough to view it safely from one of several observation decks around the peninsula, there are plenty of short hiking trails around the base of the volcano, making a visit to Sakurajima an approachable adventure.
Nearby is Magma Onsen, where you can soak in thermal waters heated by the volcano itself.
And if you’re making the trip down to Kagoshima, go one step further: visit Yakushima. This subtropical island is covered in ancient cedar forests (some trees are over 7,000 years old) and was the inspiration for the Studio Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke. It’s dripping with moss, mist, and a kind of mystical quiet.
If hiking and trees aren’t your thing, Yakushima has plenty of other ways to enjoy the island’s beauty. Think scuba diving or snorkeling with sea turtles, a drive through the island’s UNESCO world heritage site where you’re sure to see some deer and monkeys, and of course my favorite way to relax in japan — a visit to an onsen.
Final Thoughts
These five destinations are just a starting point. Japan is endlessly deep. Even in a lifetime, you’d barely cover it all. But that’s the beauty: you don’t need to see everything — you just need to look closely. Choose a region. Stay awhile. Let the place reveal itself.
Because in Japan, when you slow down and dig beneath the surface, you don’t just find more of the country.
You find more of yourself.
Coming next: Japan: The Foodie Edition — a guide to the dishes, dining rituals, and must-try bites across the country. Bring your appetite.
