Best Lesser-known Cities to Visit in Japan

Home to a staggering 127 million people, Japan is one of the most culturally rich and diverse nations on the globe. With a history dating back thousands of years, it is nothing short of a crime that so many of its majestic cities are overlooked by travelers every year. While the likes of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are well-traversed by adventurers, many hidden gems often get forgotten in favor of these household names.

In this short guide, we’ll put the spotlight on some of the locations which get this unfair treatment. From the hub of Japan’s delicious tea supply, to one of the most iconic spring spa towns on Earth, here are three places which definitely need to get added to your bucket list.

3 Lesser-known Cities to Visit in Japan

1. Shizuoka

Visitors to Shizuoka are met with a two-fold culinary delight, in a city which has played a pivotal role in Japan’s gastronomic culture for centuries. This metropolis is home to many of the nation’s largest fishing ports, while also serving as the base for 40% of all the tea grown in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Fans of Japanese antiquity should also keep Shizuoka in mind. Legendary shogun Tokugawa Leyasu was buried here. His remains can be found 1,000 steps up the foreboding Mount Kunozan. Those who reach the top will be treated to stunning views out over the crisp blue Pacific Ocean.

2. Beppu

Looking like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie, the resort town of Beppu is one of the most striking areas to visit in the whole country. The skyline here pairs classic Japanese architecture with tall plumes of expanding white smoke, which seem to reach up out of the crust of the Earth itself.

In reality, these are the hot springs which make the region a must-see for travelers. Beppu has more than 2,000 of these springs – or “onsen”, as they’re known to locals. The spa nature of the town means visitors can get some much-needed rest and relaxation on a trip here, before continuing their journey through the rest of Japan.

3. Matsushima

Nature lovers need look no further than the 260+ islands of Matsushima for a taste of rural Japan unlike any other. With so many different spots to traverse, explorers can slowly make their way between islands throughout the course of a morning, afternoon, or evening. The two most popular islands to check out are Oshima and Fukuura – with the latter home to the famous Fukuurabashi footbridge, which stretches out for 252m.

The bridge is a perfect spot to visit as a couple, as it’s said to bring good luck for those in the world of dating. Singletons might also want to take a trip if they’re ready to settle down. Ready to try something new for your next holiday? Make sure to make at least one of these underappreciated regions the destination for your next trip.