Top 3 Japan Itineraries for the Contrarian Traveler
A lot of travelers arrive in Japan with a predictable checklist: Tokyo's mega-city vibe, Kyoto's temples & shrines, Osaka's food scene.
They swipe through Instagram, YouTube & TikTok, following the same well-worn paths that millions have trodden before.
But what if there's another way?
What if you could experience Japan beyond the hyperedited postcard scenes, curated highlight reels and overcrowded “must see” attractions?
Are you the kind of traveler who craves something different; the adventurer who sees travel as more than checking boxes and collecting likes? Then you’re in the right place, because we’re giving you three unconventional Japan travel itineraries – each one being a departure from the “Golden Route” of Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka.
You’ll get a balance of highlights and hidden gems in Japan, without the tourist traps and the biggest crowds.
Why Travel the Contrarian Way in Japan: Hidden Gems Amidst Local Vibes
Conventional travel wisdom tells people to stick to the beaten path.
“The place is popular for a reason,” goes that logic. After all, it’s human nature to follow the direction that people are headed. If there’s a long line at a restaurant or shop, for example, it must be good… right?
Well, yes, in Japan that’s generally true. It will probably be good, maybe even great. But it also raises some questions:
How much better is it than the alternative?
Is it worth giving up your precious time?
Is it worth the trade-off of feeling less like you’re in the “real Japan” and more like you're in a purpose-built theme park version of Social Media Japan?
Like anywhere else in life, the most memorable experiences in Japan travel can often happen when you veer off course. The real Japan is much more than the narrow slice of scenes hyped up by social media algorithms.
When most people think of Japan, they imagine high-speed trains, cherry blossoms, sushi and ramen, robots and ninjas. But those are only a few snapshots of Japan.
Each region of Japan has its own cuisine, dialect, history and character. By stepping away from the main tourist circuit (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka), you unlock a deeper understanding of Japan, and can begin to truly appreciate this fascinating travel destination.
Our contrarian approach isn't about being different for the sake of being different. It's about genuine travel, about understanding Japan as a real, functioning, present-day country rather than a theme park of cultural stereotypes. We'll take you through regions many travelers overlook: places with deep historical significance, extraordinary natural beauty and communities that offer genuine connections.
Preparing for Your Contrarian Journey through Japan
Before we jump into the specific itineraries, a few practical matters.
While we're recommending routes that avoid the typical Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka triangle, you'll likely start or end your journey near one of these cities due to international flight connections (Narita NRT & Haneda HND airports serving Tokyo; or Kansai KIX airport serving adjacent Osaka & Kyoto).
Depending on how the itinerary logistics work out, you can plan for potentially 1-2 nights in one of these areas, but make them strategic layovers rather than the main event.
Or, say this is your 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) visit to Japan? Or you’d really rather not join the crowds on the Golden Route? You can book flights that transit NRT, HND or KIX and take you onward to your destination within Japan – on the same ticket, often on the same day or next morning – to cities such as Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Hiroshima, Hakodate, Sapporo or many others. Then do the same but in the opposite direction for your return ticket home.
Itinerary #1: Northern Adventure - Hokkaido & Tohoku
10-Day Core Experience
Your first contrarian journey takes you to Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido as well as the nearby Tohoku region.
(Check out our Hokkaido travel guide for more details)
Far from the biggest crowds (save for the ski resorts in high season) and pretty different from the Japan most people imagine, this route offers raw natural beauty, incredible food and a nice look at calmer, rural Japanese life.
Starting Point: New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) (transiting from your home country via Tokyo Haneda or Narita airports)
Days 1-3: Hokkaido Exploration
Begin in Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido (largest Japanese city north of Tokyo, too). It’s known for the Sapporo Snow Festival in February, as well as the Sapporo Beer Festival in July-August. Even if you’re not here during those dates, Sapporo is a great destination year-round, with an easy-to-navigate grid and some of the best food in Japan (try the miso ramen, jingisukan grilled lamb and soup curry).
Make a half or full day trip to Otaru, a historic port city with lovely canal areas and a remarkable glass museum. Spend time exploring local seafood markets, sampling fresh uni (sea urchin) and other favorites on a bed of rice known as “kaisendon.” And experience the maritime culture that defines this part of Japan.
Next, venture into Hokkaido's interior. The town of Furano offers beautiful lavender fields (if traveling in summer) and incredible skiing opportunities in winter. Visit local farms, take scenic drives through rolling countryside and enjoy the spaciousness so different from Japan's urban centers.
Asahikawa is a casual city and one of the coldest / snowiest in the world, and has outstanding shoyu ramen that reflects a hearty bowl needed in heavy winters. Nearby Mt. Asahidake is a great year-round attraction.
A few hours to the south by train from Sapporo is Hakodate, another gem of a port city that offers an historic harbor district, a nearby mountain you can walk to, and of course great eats including seafood and shio (salt) ramen.
Days 4-6: Tohoku Wilderness
Cross into Tohoku, starting in Aomori Prefecture. The city of Aomori itself is compact and makes for a great base. Eat their version of a seafood rice bowl called “Nokkedon” in the city’s fish market, where you can gather ingredients separately from many vendors selling fresh seafood, then enjoy your nokkedon bowl at a nearby table.
Visit the Shimokita Peninsula, one of Japan's least-visited regions. Explore Osorezan, a mystical mountain considered one of Japan's most sacred sites. The landscape here feels almost primordial: volcanic terrain, sparse vegetation and an atmosphere of profound spiritual significance.
Continue to the Goshogake Onsen, a small hot spring town nestled in mountains. Here, you'll find traditional ryokan Japanese inns, natural hot springs and hiking trails that showcase the region's incredible biodiversity.
Don’t miss Hirosaki Castle, one of Japan’s original castles. It’s also in the middle of apple country, so you’ve got plenty of options for fresh fruits… and apple pie!
Days 7-10: Iwate & Miyagi Prefectures
Head south to explore the coastal regions of Iwate and Miyagi. While these areas were dramatically affected by the 2011 tsunami, they've shown remarkable resilience. Visit the recovery museum in Rikuzentakata to understand the region's recent history.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi, an extraordinary historical complex that was once a major political and cultural center. Its temples and gardens offer a profound meditation on Japanese history far removed from contemporary tourist narratives.
End your visit in Sendai, with coastal views at nearby Matsushima Bay. Adventurous eaters can try the famous Sendai beef tongue; but really, everything’s good up here! Fly home from Sendai via Tokyo Haneda Airport.
Extended Itinerary Options
14-Day Version: Add Hokkaido's eastern regions like the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its pristine wilderness and wildlife watching.
17-Day Version: Include additional time in rural Tohoku, exploring traditional crafts like Nambu Tekki ironware in Iwate and spending more time in lesser-known mountain and coastal towns & villages. Take a regional train ride for great scenery, such as JR’s Pokemon train to Kesennuma, or the Resort Shirakami train from Aomori to Akita.
21-Day Version: Incorporate more in-depth cultural experiences, including staying in local ryokan inns and guesthouses, participating in agricultural activities and exploring multiple small towns and villages across Hokkaido and Tohoku.
Itinerary #2: Western Japan's Hidden Gems - Chugoku & Shikoku
10-Day Core Experience
This journey takes you through the often-overlooked western regions of Japan, revealing a side of the country that not many tourists experience.
Starting Point: Hiroshima Airport (reached via connections in Tokyo Haneda Airport)
Days 1-3: Chugoku Region Exploration
Begin in Hiroshima – see our guide on Hiroshima & Miyajima.
Then move beyond the historical sites. Explore Onomichi, a charming seaside town known for its temple walk and incredible cycling routes. The Shimanami Kaido, a 60-kilometer bicycle route connecting islands in the Seto Inland Sea, offers awesome coastal views and a unique travel experience.
Visit Kurashiki, a beautifully preserved merchant town in Okayama Prefecture. Its historic Bikan district features pristine white-walled warehouses, canals and a well-preserved atmosphere from the Edo period.
Days 4-6: Shimane Prefecture Adventures
Head to Shimane, possibly Japan's least-visited prefecture. Explore Izumo, home to one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines. The Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine offers a profound spiritual experience far from tourist crowds.
Visit Matsue, a castle town with one of Japan's few remaining original medieval castles. Take a boat tour of the city's canals, explore local museums and enjoy the region's distinctive culinary scene.
Days 7-10: Shikoku Island
Cross to Shikoku, Japan's fourth-largest island. Focus on the island's inland regions, particularly Ehime Prefecture. Explore the historic Uwajima area, known for unique cultural practices and extraordinary agricultural landscapes. Enjoy sanuki udon, a local favorite. And don’t miss Matsuyama Castle. Want to soak in some hot springs? Dogo Onsen is in the area, too.
Visit the lesser-known Ozu town, recently recognized for its beautifully preserved historical district. Stay in a traditional machiya townhouse and experience rural Japanese life at a completely different pace.
Extended Itinerary Options
14-Day Version: Add more time exploring the Seto Inland Sea's smaller islands, each with unique cultural and natural characteristics.
17-Day Version: Include deeper travels in Shikoku, potentially incorporating parts of the famous 88-temple pilgrimage route.
21-Day Version: Expand to include more remote areas of Chugoku and Shikoku, with extended stays in small communities and more immersive cultural experiences.
Itinerary #3: Kyushu - A Journey Through Japan's Southern Main Island
10-Day Core Experience
Your final contrarian journey explores Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island: a place of volcanic landscapes, distinctive regional cuisines and cultural practices shaped by centuries of international influence.
We’ve got a Kyushu guide with more info on this fantastic place!
Starting Point: Fukuoka Airport (transiting from your home country via Tokyo Haneda or Seoul Incheon airports)
Days 1-3: Northern Kyushu
Begin in Fukuoka, the largest city on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. It’s home to Hakata ramen, the famous tonkotsu broth, which can best be enjoyed at a yatai street stall at night.
Then move beyond the city center. Head to the historic castle town of Karatsu, known for its striking coastal scenery and distinctive pottery tradition. Visit local kilns, participate in pottery workshops and sample the region's famous seafood.
Continue to the porcelain town of Arita, where Japan's ceramic industry began four centuries ago. The town's historic district maintains its traditional character, with climbing kilns, artists' studios and galleries showcasing both historic and contemporary works. Take a private workshop with local artisans to understand the complexity and artistry of this centuries-old craft.
Days 4-6: Central Kyushu
Travel inland to the Mount Aso region, home to one of the world's largest volcanic calderas. The surrounding grasslands support traditional cattle farming and horse breeding, creating a landscape unlike anything else in Japan.
Stay in a ryokan inn or family-run minshuku in one of the caldera villages, where you can experience rural Japanese hospitality at its finest.
Visit the little-known Kuju Mountain range, offering spectacular hiking opportunities and natural hot springs without the crowds found in more famous hiking destinations. The area's high-altitude flower fields create incredible seasonal displays, particularly in late spring and early autumn.
Days 7-10: Southern Kyushu
Head south to explore Kagoshima Prefecture, starting with the historic Sengan-en Garden. This sprawling garden complex tells the story of the powerful Shimazu clan and their role in Japan's industrialization. The views across Kagoshima Bay to the active volcano Sakurajima create a memorable backdrop.
Venture into the Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park, a region of active volcanoes, pristine lakes and ancient Shinto shrines. The area features numerous natural hot springs, including unique sand baths in Ibusuki where you're buried in naturally heated volcanic sand.
Complete your journey in the Miyazaki region, exploring the hidden gems of Japan's original surf culture and some of the country's most important Shinto sites. Visit Takachiho Gorge, where Japanese mythology places the descent of the gods, and experience yokagura, traditional sacred dances performed in local communities.
Oh, did we mention you’re gonna eat really well in Kyushu? Yeah, count on it! Try the various local ramen, of course, as well as tori-ten (fried chicken), motsu nabe (hot pot), and beef dishes from the legendary Miyazaki beef.
Extended Itinerary Options
14-Day Version: Incorporate the onsen towns of Yufuin and Beppu, staying in traditional ryokan and experiencing the full range of hot spring cultures. Add time in the Kunisaki Peninsula, known for its Buddhist stone carvings and ancient pilgrimage routes through forested mountains.
17-Day Version: Add exploration of the Goto Islands off Nagasaki's coast, home to hidden Christian sites and remarkable coastal scenery. Include time in Sasebo to experience its blend of Japanese and American influences, along with visits to the spectacular 99 Islands (Kujukushima).
21-Day Version: Expand into deep cultural immersion experiences throughout Kyushu. Spend time with traditional craft makers in Yanagawa, known for its canal network and preserved samurai districts. Visit the Yoshinogari Historical Park to understand the origins of Japanese civilization, and participate in local festivals or cultural events depending on the season. Include extended stays in rural communities, connecting with local farming traditions and distinctive food cultures unique to each region of Kyushu.
Kyushu can be experienced as a microcosm of Japanese culture: a place where traditional practices remain, where the topography shapes daily life and where visitors can take in Japan's culture without the overlay of mass tourism. Kyushu’s long history as a gateway for international exchange offers fresh perspectives on Japanese society, even for experienced Japan travelers.
Making the Most of Your Japan Travels
These itineraries are suggestions meant for you to see Japan differently, to challenge your preconceptions and to travel with curiosity and openness. They're not definitive guides but starting points for your own unique journey. We’ve given you some tips to get off the beaten path and experience some of Japan’s hidden gems (or these days, hidden in plain sight).
Want to mix and match among them? Totally doable! You can start in Hokkaido, for example, then fly down to Fukuoka and continue your journey in Kyushu. The possibilities are practically limitless.
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