Tokyo-Kioto-Osaka is a classic of the first visit. For a second stay, Japan opens up to a very different face. Below 10 less famous places that the mainstream tourist guides do not talk about.
1. Iya Valley (Shikoku)
Deep mountain valley in the middle of Shikoku Island, 4 hours from the nearest airport. Until the 19th century, shelter for the Taira clan warriors (they fled after losing the war of 1185). To this day: medieval infrastructure.
- Kazurabashi— 45-metre bridges from vine vines (cazura). Changed every 3 years. Entering: 500 JPY but shaking at every step
- Peeing Boy statue— 200 m above the abyss, peeing boy on the rock (copy of Manneken Pis)
- Chiiori House— A 300-year-old house restored by Alex Kerr (author of "Lost Japan"), a stay in tradition
2. Yakushima Island
Island 130 km south of Kagoshima, UNESCO since 1993. HomeJōmon-sugi— 7200-year-old cedar (the oldest tree in Japan). The original moss-covered forest, inspired by the “Mononoke Princess” Miyazaki (studio Ghibli).
- Shiratani Unsuikyō— 8 km of paths through “las Mononoke” (mech on rocks). 4-6 hours
- Jōmon-sugi trek— 22 km round, 10 hours. You have to leave at 5 a.m.
- Ohkonotaki Falls— 88 m waterfall
- Onsen on the beach:Hirauchi Kaichū Onsen— hot springs in the rocks by the sea, available only at the tide
3. Naoshima — Art Island
Small island in the inland sea (Setouche). Since the 1990s, the Benesse Corporation initiative has turned it intoa comprehensive museum of contemporary art.
- Chichu Art Museum(Tadao Ando, 2004) — an underground museum, lit only by natural light. Collection: 5 Monet canvases, works by James Turrell (light art), Walter De Maria. Admission 2100 JPY, online booking mandatory
- Benesse House Museum— connects the hotel and the gallery (you sleep between artists). From 40,000 JPY/night
- Yellow Pumpkin(Yayoi Kusama, 1994) — iconic sculpture on the pier
- Art House Project— 7 abandoned Honmura houses converted into artistic installations
Directions: train to Uno + ferry (20 min). It's worth connecting to the neighbors.Teshima(Teshima Art Museum — a drop of water) andInujima.
4. Kanazawa — “Little Kyoto”
The city of 500,000 inhabitants on the Japanese Sea coast. Not destroyed in World War II — the preserved architecture of Edo (1603-1868).
- Kenroku-en— one of the3 most beautiful gardens of Japan. "Six perfect gardens" (space, loneliness, artificiality, antiquity, water, panorama). Introduction 320 JPY
- Higashi Chaya— The geisha district of Edo period, tearooms in wooden houses
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art— round building, famousSwimming PoolLeandro Erlicha (you look down on people underwater)
- Omicho Market— 300-year sea market, fresh cannikamaboko (crab)
Directions: Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo 2h 30min (14,000 JPY, JR Pass OK).
5. Takayama and Shirakawa-go
Alpine Japan. Gifu Prefecture, "Little Kyoto of the Alps".
- Takayama Old Town— the best preserved Edo Old Town in Japan. Sake shops (14 breweries in town), painted wood, mochi
- Morning Markets(Miyagawa and Jinya-mae) — 7:00-12:00, fresh fruit, vegetables, canned
- Shirakawa-go(hour by bus) — UNESCO, cottages gasshō-zukuri
6. Kōya-san (Wakayama)
Sacred Buddhist mountain, founded on 819 by Kūkai (one of Japan's greatest wise men).117 Buddhist Templesat 800 m. UNESCO.
Shukubō— accommodation in the monastery (since 10,000 JPY with 2 meals shōjin ryōri — vegetarian Buddhist cuisine). Participation in morning prayers (5:30-6:30). Spiritual experience.
Okunoin— cemetery from200,000 gravesamong 800-year-old cedars. Kūkai Mausoleum. Evening lantern lighting — one of Japan’s most mystical moments.
7. Kumano Kodō (Wakayama)
1000 yearsUNESCO pilgrimage routes, shared with the Spanish route Santiago de Compostela (Dual Pilgrim status). 5 main trails through the Kii Mountains, connectingThree Great Kumano Shrines.
Classic:Nakahechi Route— 4-day trekking (70 km), accommodation in minshuku (family guesthouses). Onsen in Yunomine (2000-year-old).
8. Uji (Kyoto wheel)
The famous town ofgreen match tea(best in Japan) andByōdō-in— the 998 temple, whose painting is on a 10-Yen coin. Phoenix Hall (Hōō-dō) — a masterpiece of Buddhist Heian architecture. Introduction 600 JPY.
9. Ise (Mie Prefecture)
Ise Jingū—The Greatest Place of SintoJapan. Sacrificed GoddessAmateras(sun goddesses, emperor ancestors). The temple isFROM THE NEW CONSTRUCTED EVERY 20 YEARSsince the seventh century — the latest edition 2013, next 2033.
Characteristics: buildings of unpainted hinoca wood, covered with reed. Ceremonies only for the imperial family — plebs explore from the outside. Free admission.
10. Miyako-jima and Ishigaki (Yaeyama)
Subtropical islands 1000 km from Main Japan. Turkish sea, corals, no mainstream tourists.
- Yonaha Maehama Beach(Miyako-jima) — 7 km of white sand, “the most beautiful beach in eastern Asia”
- Irabu Ohashi— 3.5 km bridge between islands (longest free bridge of Japan)
- Kabira Bay(Ishigaki) — turquoise lagoon with mantami
- Taketomi(10 min ferry from Ishigaki) — Ryukyu-style village, transport only with buffalo carts
Directions: plane from Tokyo 3h (from 15,000 JPY from Peach), from Osaka 2h.
10-day route outside mainstream
Day 1-2:Kanazawa (Kenroku-en, Higashi Chaya)
Day 3:Takayama + Shirakawa-go
Day 4-5:Kōya-san (night in the monastery)
Day 6-7:Kumano Kodō (Trekking Nakahechi)
Day 8:Naoshima (art island)
Day 9-10:Yakushima (trek to Jōmon-sugi)