Ever had a volcanic sand bath? Ever snorkelled around WWII wreckage? What’s the holiest site you’ve ever been to?
These are the kinds of questions you’ll be asking your mates back home after visiting some of the lesser-known parts of Japan, such as Kyushu, Mie Prefecture and Okinawa.
These regions, although not as popular and well-known as say Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, are incredibly attractive for the visitor to Japan and offer an equally amazing Japanese experience.
And they’ll all just a short trip from any major city or hub. Indeed, go in any direction for any length of time from these hubs, and you’ll find yourself in a Japan few tourists see.
Read on, and find out what awaits you in these lesser-known regions of Japan that you absolutely need to explore…
Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu
We’re all about visiting the southern island of Kyushu in general, as it offers a refreshing change of pace from the frenetic energy of Japan’s major cities.
Here, you can hike around active volcanoes (Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture), learn about Japanese ceramics (in Saga Prefecture), and, of course, soak in a traditional Japanese onsen whilst your stresses melt away – head to the open-air Tamatebako Onsen for amazing views of the East China Sea and Mount Kaimondake.
But we feel it’s our duty here to point you towards the southernmost tip of Kyushu where you’ll find the hidden gem of Kagoshima. True, it may be the end of the line for Japan’s extensive shinkansen network, but Kagoshima is also the beginning of a wonderous foray into this little-explored part of Japan.
Not only is Kagoshima a volcanic wonderland full of excellent onsens and natural beauty, a place where time moves at a more relaxed pace, but it’s also home to Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yakushima Island, famous for its ancient cedar forests and roaring waterfalls – you definitely need to visit!
It’s also here, in the seaside town of Ibusuki, that you can try a rather unique bathing experience called a “sand bath,” where you’ll be buried in volcanic sand heated by the underground geothermal activity. Like a regular onsen, a sand bath is thought to cleanse your body of toxins and impurities.
Mie Prefecture, Kansai
Located only a short train ride from the more popular cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya, this part of Japan is drastically quieter with vastly fewer tourists and a more authentic Japanese vibe.
Mie Prefecture is blessed with glorious nature, including literally dozens of amazing waterfalls, such as Akame 48 Waterfalls: a 4-kilometre-path along a river through a forest past, you guessed it, 48 amazing waterfalls.
It’s also home to some of the country’s best historical and sacred sites, such as Ise Jingu, a shrine complex regarded as the holiest in Japan for its 125 beautiful Shinto shrines.
Just a short walk away from this sacred shrine is Oharai-machi, a well-preserved town dating back to the Edo period. Walk its quaint streets lined with traditional-style buildings and try the local sweet, akafuku mochi, a chewy rice cake covered in a delicious sweet red bean paste.
Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa
Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost prefecture, and unlike the rest of the country, it is totally unique. For starters, it’s a tropical archipelago consisting of more than 150 islands running on island time and is warm all year-round.
Indeed, many locals don’t even consider themselves to be Japanese, but Okinawan instead, and the island only officially became part of Japan in the mid-1800s. They even have their own language, religions and myths.
Blessed with dozens of clean and beautiful beaches, such as Akajima Beach, Sunayama Beach and Aragusuku Beach, Okinawa is the Japanese equivalent of Hawaii or Bali!
And yet, it delivers on those quintessential aspects of Japanese culture too, with incredible food, majestic temples and ancient shrines. Okinawa is also the birthplace of karate.
It’s a paradise for diving too, with the surrounding islands boasting some incredible underwater vistas, including the chance to dive around WWII wreckage.
Head to Cape Maeda in central Okinawa Honto (main island) for the best underwater adventures in Japan.
To find more regional hot spots you can explore in Japan, visit the website here.
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