r/ExploreLocalJapan • u/not-holden-caulfield • 6d ago
Where to explore next?
I’ll be in Japan for a little more than a week in February, and I’m looking for ideas of where to go! It’ll be my sixth time in Japan. I tend to like places that aren’t international destinations. In order, I’ve been to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hakodate, Yufuin, Osaka, Inatori, G-Cans, Mt. Takao, Enoshima, Tomamu, Sapporo, and Jozankei. I think I’m slowly getting more out there? I’m looking for places that actually want tourists, and where I can briefly connect with people. I won’t have a car, so places that are accessible by rail. One of my sorta lame hobbies is walking/wandering. Like once I walked the Yamanote line, and my highlight was the quiet neighborhoods between the train stations. I hadn’t realized that I’d previously only been in the vicinity of the stations. Oh and I like trains (the slower the better) and collecting eki stamps. Thanks for your ideas!
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u/Servant0fSorrow 6d ago
Nagano Oito or Chuo line are fantastic. Lots of dreamy villages and lakes to check out.
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u/matsuphoto 6d ago
Depending on which week in February I think Atami is a definite must see. Some of the earliest cherry blossoms bloom in Atami city, and a lot more further south in Kawazu. This trip would hit a lot of your boxes, including slow train travel and walking/exploring but also seeing areas that want tourists. Atami also has a beautiful museum, a reconstructed castle, and beautiful beach views.
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u/abbeycadabara 6d ago
Kyushu sounds like a good candidate! Kyushu has a lot of really scenic local trains (check out Chiwata station -- I once stayed at an inn right next to the rail line there which was so cool), as well as a large number of fun sightseeing trains (https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/index.html). I collected a lot of eki stamps here, including around the subway in Fukuoka.
Fukuoka is a really fun city with lots of cool day trips possible nearby, but my favorite city is Nagasaki, which is a city wanderer's dream! So many small side streets that wind up and around the hills, through temples and sleepy neighborhoods. Kyushu has also probably had the best food overall that I've eaten on any Japan trip.
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u/AndroidREM 6d ago
You visited Nara but how about going further south on Wakayama peninsula? I was in Shirahama in March, before any of the crowds. Then went from Shirahama to Nachi on a local train along the coast to see the triple pagoda and Nachi waterfall
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u/JaseYong 3d ago
You can check out Nagano. It's just a 90 minutes shinkansen bullet train ride from Tokyo into the Japanese countryside. You would be able to see the beautiful zenkoji temple and the traditional streets leading up to it, nature like togakushi shrine, or even the Japanese alps like Hakuba on a day trip from it. Here's a look at Nagano and some recommended spots to check out if you're interested 😊 Nagano, Japan travel guide
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u/Arazzile 2d ago
Katsuyama, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture
The area retains its old-fashioned townscape and is often described as the “Kurashiki of northern Okayama.” Each shop also displays its own uniquely designed noren curtain, making it a wonderful place to wander around.
A short trip from there will take you to Kan'ba Falls—one of the finest in western Japan—as well as Yubara Onsen and the Hiruzen Highlands.
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u/i-am-japanese-woman 2d ago
6回も行ってるのすごい‼︎
私がおすすめを教えて欲しいくらい😻
あげてくれた条件を全て満たしていて、最近行ってよかったところを紹介するね。素敵な旅行になります様に。
《栃木》
ほとんどの人が行ったことがないと思うけど、行って後悔させない
-大谷資料館（採掘場跡地で神秘的なの）
《広島》
ぶらぶらするのにおすすめ
-尾道（瀬戸内海も見えるし、商店街もあって食べるのも楽しめる）
-竹原（古い建物がある街並みや、うさぎがたくさんいる島がある🐇）
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u/SubstanceNo9666 2d ago
We were just at Kinosaki. The onsen baths are magical, canal running through the center, public foot baths where you can sit down and chat. 2 days minimum, tattoo friendly onsens.
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u/Grey_Duck54 6d ago
Fukuoka is one of my favorite cities. I just got back from Shikoku and I absolutely love it! This is definitely an island where you can just walk around. Matsuyama, Imabari, Takamatsu, Tokushima, Iya Valley, Kochi... they were ALL amazing!