Okayama’s “Uncrowded Kawagoe” and Kyoto’s “Bamboo Path with no Japanese”…10 famous places in Japan where inbound tourists don’t come

On February 14, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, announced that it will raise the admission fee to Himeji Castle, a national treasure designated as a World Heritage site, from the current 1,000 yen to 2,500 yen for those living outside the city. Admission will remain unchanged at 1,000 yen for citizens, and will be free for those under 18 years old, regardless of whether they are citizens or not.

The number of inbound tourists has been increasing since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, and famous tourist spots are facing the challenge of countermeasures against overtourism. We expect that more and more tourist attractions and municipalities will take countermeasures, such as raising prices.

Hotel prices in major cities have skyrocketed. Hotel prices have skyrocketed in major cities, and domestic travel has become less accessible.

On the other hand, there are still many wonderful places that are not well known even to Japanese people. From among the places I have visited, I would like to introduce some of the “hidden spots that are not associated with overtourism” that you should visit at least once!

1 “Yakage-juku” in Yakage Town, Okayama Prefecture, an “uncrowded river crossing

Yakage-juku flourished as a post town along the old Sanyo Expressway and was designated as an “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings” in 2008. Recently, the town has been revitalized as a “mecca for cream soda,” making the most of its old townscape.

The main lodge and side lodges, which were used as lodging and resting places for important persons such as feudal lords and shogunate officials, still exist as they were in the Edo period. Both are nationally designated important cultural properties, and Yakage is the only place in Japan where both the main camp and side camps are still in existence as important cultural properties!

It is located about 30 minutes by train from Kurashiki Station, where the Bikan Historical Quarter attracts many inbound tourists, but it is not well known except to residents of Okayama Prefecture. Despite the fact that there are more historical buildings remaining than in Kawagoe, Saitama, it may be the only time you can take all the pictures you want without people’s reflections!

2 “Bamboo Path” in Muko City, Kyoto Prefecture, closer than Arashiyama, where you can take all the pictures you want.

Located two stops from Kyoto Station, where over-tourism has become an issue, “Bamboo Path” is a 10-minute bus ride from JR Katsuragawa Station. Despite the lack of tourism in the surrounding area, there are no visitors at all, even though the area is closer to Kyoto Station than Arashiyama.

Along the bamboo grove, which is more splendid than Arashiyama, there is also the Terado-Otsuka burial mound, a super-secluded spot that can be enjoyed by lovers of ancient burial mounds. The nearest station, Rakusiguchi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line, is currently undergoing redevelopment as part of the “Muko North Gateway” project. After its completion, it is inevitable that “Bamboo Diai” will attract a lot of attention.

3 “Yahiko Shrine” in Yahiko Village, Niigata Prefecture, “the most powerful spot in Niigata

The approach to this historic shrine, which has a history of more than 2,000 years since its foundation and is mentioned in the Manyoshu, the oldest anthology of Japanese poetry, is surrounded by greenery, making it Niigata’s number one power spot where visitors can feel refreshed just by walking. The view from the rotating panoramic tower at the top of the Yahiko-yama ropeway, which offers a panoramic view of the Echigo Plain, is also spectacular.

It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes from Niigata Station by train, and 30 minutes from Tsubame-Sanjo Station, the nearest station for the Shinkansen bullet train. The area can be explored at leisure even on weekends and holidays, as the few trains during the daytime and poor accessibility are the bottlenecks.

A free bus service is available from Yahiko Station on days when the adjacent Yahiko Bicycle Race is held, so it is recommended to take a bicycle race after getting power from the shrine, or to eat local ramen at the ramen store “Wan” run by a former bicycle racer.

4 Iwasehama, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, “the most beautiful Starbucks in the world” and an old townscape

The Iwase area is not well known by people outside of Toyama Prefecture, even though the townscape of the old Hokkoku Kaido Road, where many houses built in the Meiji Period still remain, matches the recent retro boom in the area.

On a clear winter day, the Tateyama Mountain Range can be seen from Iwase Canal Kaikan, which is about an hour’s ride on the Tomiwa Water Line from Tomiwa Canal Kannsui Koen, home of the “world’s most beautiful Starbucks. Near the Toyama Port Observatory, fashionable old-fashioned house cafes are also on the rise.

5 Goshiki Iwa (Five-colored Rock) on Senanoshima, a “hidden power spot” in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture

This uninhabited island is a five-minute boat ride from Tomonoura, which is said to have served as the model for the animated film “Ponyo on the Cliff. It is one of the representative scenic spots of Setonaikai National Park, the first national park in Japan to be designated as a national park, and offers beautiful scenery.

Along the southern coastline, “Goshiki Iwa,” a 200-meter stretch of rocks in five colors (blue, red, yellow, white, and black), is a hidden power spot.

It was just announced in January that “Hoshino Resort” will move into the former site of a national inn on the island. After the hotel is completed, the number of tourists is sure to increase. Note that the footpath leading to Goshiki-iwa is under construction until March 21!

6 Genpei River, Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture: “A popular spot for filming TV dramas and movies

The Mishima Skywalk, Japan’s longest suspension bridge at 400 meters, attracts many tourists with its panoramic view of Mt. On the other hand, few inbound tourists are seen in the city. Genpei River, located within walking distance from Mishima Station, is a fun place to just walk around, as it is a famous spot known as a filming location for TV dramas and movies.

In summer, parents and children can be seen playing in the Genpei River. Fuji Mishima Tokyu Hotel, located next to Mishima Station, has a restaurant on the 13th floor called “Furnace L’EAU” that is open to non-guests. On weekdays, you can enjoy a meal or tea time near the window with a panoramic view of Mt.

7 Mojiko Retro, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture: “The prefecture’s representative tourist spot, but sparsely populated at night.

Mojiko is known as the gateway to Kyushu. Mojiko Retro,” which utilizes historical buildings, has become one of Fukuoka’s representative tourist attractions since the Mojiko Station building was designated as a national important cultural property, but it does not attract many inbound visitors.

On holidays, the Kyushu Railway Museum adjacent to Mojiko Station and Kaikyo Plaza, a commercial facility with restaurants and stores, are crowded, but it is a 14-minute train ride from Kokura Station. Shimonoseki is only a five-minute ferry ride away, but there are few overnight guests and the area is deserted at night. The night view of Mojiko is as good as Yokohama’s, so we recommend that you stay overnight and enjoy Mojiko at night.

Near Mojiko Retro is Funky Tiger Agito, a popular Mojiko gourmet restaurant serving yaki curry, run by Robert Akiyama’s father. Depending on the time of day, he will gladly accept commemorative photos.

8 Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture “Water manju in summer is a must!” Ogaki is one of the representative water cities in the Tokai region, where you can also enjoy “boat cruising.

Ogaki is also known as the place where Matsuo Basho, the famous haiku poet, wrote “Oku no Hosomichi” (The Narrow Road to the Deep North). Ogaki is a “water city” and there are many spring water spots in the city, and you can enjoy “mizu-manju” made from the underground water in summer only.

The “Water Metropolis Ogaki Boat Tour,” a 1.1 km boat ride down the Suimon River that starts near Ogaki Station, allows you to enjoy nature and the good old townscape. Perhaps because there are no easy-to-follow tourist spots, the sightseeing is so relaxing that it is hard to believe that Gifu Prefecture is experiencing a rapid increase in the number of inbound tourists. Ogaki Sauna” is for men only, but is famous among sauna lovers.

The soupless tantanmen noodles at Suncook, a Chinese chain located only in the Ogaki area, are exquisite. The area has also been the location for the animated film “The Shape of Voices” and the TV drama “Takahashi-kun, the Bicycle Shop Owner” (TV Tokyo), making it a sacred place for pilgrimages.

9 Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture “Presence in an increasing number of art spots” “The Bell of the Sun” and others

Although Maebashi is the capital of Gunma Prefecture, it is often hidden in the shadow of Takasaki, where the Shinkansen bullet train station is located. In addition to the installation of world-renowned artist Taro Okamoto’s “Bell of the Sun” in the riverside greenery along the Hirose River, Maebashi has an increasing number of art spots, including “Arts Maebashi,” the “Maebashi Galleria” that opened in 2011, and the Shiraiya Hotel, a long-established Japanese inn that has been renovated by world-renowned architect Sousuke Fujimoto and is now attracting a lot of attention. The “cheapest amusement park in Japan” is now open.

In addition to “Maebashi Central Children’s Amusement Park Runapaaku,” known as “the cheapest amusement park in Japan,” the adjacent “Rinko Kaku” has been used as a filming location for many movies, including “Matsuri” by Kaze Fujii and the music video for “GOAT” by Number_i.

There are also some gourmet restaurants such as “Miyataya,” a seafood restaurant that serves fresh and rare fish despite being in a prefecture without a sea, and “Curry Shop Swan,” located inside the Maebashi Bicycle Racecourse, which is visited even by non-bicycle race fans!

10 Retro buildings in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture

Hirosaki City is home to many retro buildings that are a blend of Japanese and Western architecture built in the Western style. The Starbucks Hirosaki Koen-mae store, the second store in Japan to open in a registered tangible cultural property, is housed in the former 8th Division Director’s Building, and while Hirosaki Castle is crowded during the cherry blossom season, the Hirosaki Renga Soko Museum is a relatively relaxing place to visit.

In the Kajicho entertainment district, there are also new “trendy” spots such as the “GOOD OLD HOTEL,” a snack bar where you can stay overnight. There are also many tasteful coffee shops, such as the retro pure coffee shop “Rubian”.

Take advantage of the special tickets and tours that are periodically put on sale, and go out to a comfortable and wonderful hole-in-the-wall spot!

Photography and text by Yoshimi Mizuno

After working for an editorial production company and a publishing company, she became a freelance writer. She enjoys touring Japan’s deepest spots and writing articles on public gambling, as well as interviews with celebrities.