10 Much less Touristy Issues To Do In Japan 3H From Tokyo & Osaka
Day journeys from Tokyo & Osaka
Shibuya Scramble in Tokyo? It’s been crossed off the bucket checklist. Posing in entrance of the Glico Operating Man in Dotonbori? Obtained ’em pics for the ’Gram already. In case you’re an everyday traveller to Japan, we don’t doubt you’ve been there, accomplished that throughout Tokyo and Osaka.
The subsequent time you’re in Japan, toss your normal itinerary of buying in Ginza and touring the Osaka Fortress apart. As an alternative, we’ve received a lineup of much less touristy issues to do you could go to in lower than 3 hours from these main cities by way of public transport. Right here’s the place to go and how you can do it:
Journey round Japan with the Entire Japan JR Rail Cross
With an intensive community of trains and buses obtainable, it’s simple to get round Japan with out the necessity for a driver’s license. For fuss-free journey, we advocate the JR Entire Japan Rail Cross (S$292.20/grownup, S$146.10/little one) that covers JR trains, buses, and even ferries across the complete nation.
Picture credit score: Japan Rail Pass
You possibly can ebook the cross for durations of seven, 14, or 21 days at a time, saving you the effort of shopping for new passes in case you plan to be in Japan for an extended keep.
E-book the Whole Japan JR Rail Pass.
There are rail passes that cowl simply Kansai and Tokyo as properly, in case you don’t plan on travelling to each areas. Just like the JR Entire Japan Rail Cross, these can be utilized on JR trains and buses, however are restricted to the areas you select.
Purchase the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass and JR Tokyo Wide Pass.
– From Tokyo –
1. Stand in fields of seasonal flowers all 12 months spherical
Picture credit score: @stef_stef1013
Sure, these pics you’ve seen on IG are actual. Huge fields of blue nemophila in spring and purple kochia in autumn are what Hitachi Seaside Park is greatest recognized for. When these flowers aren’t in bloom, the remainder of the 12 months sees vivid poppies, roses, and tulips arising in different elements of the park.
Picture credit score: @kurumiii4_
Whilst you’re certain to catch just a few blooms anytime you go to, your greatest guess is to examine the Hitachi Seaside Park website to make sure you get your Kodak second. However on the off likelihood there aren’t any flowers once you’re there, there’s nonetheless a lot to do on the park.
Within the coronary heart is an amusement park stuffed with greater than 30 carnival rides equivalent to a Ferris wheel and curler coaster. Costs vary from ¥200-¥600 (~S$1.98-S$5.94) per attraction, which you’ll pay for individually. We advocate the day cross (¥3,800, ~S$37.63), which provides you limitless entry to all of the rides and video games obtainable.
Journey time from Tokyo: 2.5 hours
Getting there: Take the restricted specific JR East Tokiwa practice from Ueno station to Katsuta station. Then take the Ibaraki Kotsu bus to Hitachi Seaside Park.
You may as well choose to ebook a 1-day tour (S$118.99) that covers Hitachi Seaside Park and Ashikaga Flower Park or Kairakuen Park. It features a yakiniku or shabu shabu buffet lunch and roundtrip transport from Shinjuku station.
E-book the 1-day Hitachi Seaside Park tour.
Hitachi Seaside Park
Value:
Youngster (0-15 years previous): Free
Grownup (16-64 years previous): From ¥450, ~S$4.45
Senior (65 years previous and up): From ¥210, ~S$2.07
Deal with: 605-4 Onuma-aza, Hitachi Seaside Park, Mawatari, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-0012, Japan
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 9.30am-4.30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
*Hours might differ – discuss with Hitachi Seaside Park web site for extra particulars
Contact: +81 029 265 9001 | Hitachi Seaside Park website
2. Experience a coastal practice like in Spirited Away
In case you’re in want of a solar, sand, and sea respite away from the bustling metropolis, look no additional than Kamakura. It’s a seashore city well-liked with surfers, however you’ll usually see Tokyo-ians taking a weekend breather right here too.
Picture credit score: @r_un_5296
Your intro to the seashores right here start with driving the practice on the Enoden Line that runs parallel to the coast. It’s a scenic journey harking back to the practice scene in Spirited Away, as this practice brings you proper by the sting of the water. You’ll even be capable of look out onto the expansive Sagami Bay from the consolation of your practice seat.
Picture credit score: @xiong.72
The nippiness vibes aren’t simply restricted to the seashore. This place is peak zen because of the quite a few temples and shrines right here. Essentially the most recognisable and an icon of Kamakura is the 11.3m-tall Nice Buddha that resides at Kotokuin Temple.
Journey time from Tokyo: 1 hour
Getting there: Experience the JR Yokosuka practice from Tokyo on to Kamakura Station. Alternatively, you’ll be able to cowl Kamakura, close by Enoshima Island, and Odawara Fortress with a day journey from Tokyo (S$148.79). You’ll get transport to and from Shinjuku, lunch, and all temple admission tickets.
E-book day trip to Kamakura, Enoshima Island, and Odawara Castle.
Enoden Line
Value:
Grownup: From ¥200, ~S$1.98
Youngster: From ¥100, ~S$0.99
Deal with: 1-15 Onarimachi, Kamakura Station, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0012, Japan
Contact: +81 046 624 2711 | Enoden Line website
Kotokuin Temple
Value:
Grownup (13 years previous and up): ¥300, ~S$2.97
Youngster (6-12 years previous): ¥150, ~S$1.48
Deal with: 4-2-28 Hase, Kotokuin Temple, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-001, Japan
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Every day
Contact: +81 046 722 0703 | Kotokuin Temple website
3. Watch a conventional onsen dance
The Yubatake on the village’s centre the place the new spring water is collected first earlier than despatched to numerous bathhouses.
Onsen villages are a dime a dozen in Japan and there are heaps you’ll be able to go to inside a day from Tokyo. However we’re prepared to guess you’ve by no means skilled the standard onsen dance that takes place solely on the small city of Kusatsu Onsen.
Generally known as the yumomi, the dance includes girls singing and utilizing paddles to beat the new spring water that’s channelled straight into the Netsuno-yu bathhouse. It’s a centuries-old custom that helps calm down the scalding scorching water into one thing extra manageable to soak in.
The personal onsen at Kusatsu Naraya.
Entry to the cooled mineral-rich water is obtainable on the free public foot baths at Sainokawara Park. However if you’d like a full-body soak, there are onsens at Kusatsu Naraya with hourly entry. These are utterly personal, together with the altering room and bathe – ideally suited for non-exhibitionists or these with tattoos who can’t get into different bathhouses.
Journey time from Tokyo: 3 hours
Getting there: Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa Station. Switch to the Kusakarukotsu Bus to the final cease at Kusatsu Onsen. For much less of a rush getting again to Tokyo, you’ll be able to ebook an in a single day keep at Kusatsu Onsen Futabaya, an inn simply a few minutes from the centre of the village.
E-book a room at Kusatsu Onsen Futabaya.
Netsuno-yu
Value: ¥700/pax
Deal with: 414 Kusatsu, Netsuno-yu Kusatsu, Agatsuma, Gunma 377-1711, Japan
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10.30am-3.30pm (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Contact: +81 279 88 3613 | Netsuno-yu website
Kusatsu Naraya
Value:
1-hour personal onsen with room: From ¥2,550/pax
Deal with: 3-9-6 Kusatsu, Kusatsu Naraya, Agatsuma, Gunma 377-1711, Japan
Contact: +81 279 88 2311 | Kusatsu Naraya website
4. Go to small Japanese village with views of Mt Fuji
With the suitable circumstances, you’ll be able to see Mt Fuji towering over the skyline of Tokyo. However that requires sheer luck for clear blue skies and a spot in a tall constructing to get that million-dollar shot. Right here’s the cheaper different: Hopping on a practice to Oshino Hakkai and its neighbour Oishi Park.
Mt Fuji peeking by clouds from the statement deck at Hannoki Bayashi Museum.
Oshino Hakkai is a vacationer attraction proper on the foot of Mt Fuji. Guidebooks will level to Kagami Lake because the spot to catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji. However for much less of a crowd and uninterrupted views, get a ticket to the Hannoki Bayashi Museum. The museum has an open-air rooftop going through the village’s largest lake with Mt Fuji within the background.
A clearer view of Mt Fuji from Oishi Park the place you’ll be able to catch the brilliant purple kochia in autumn.
From Oshino Hakkai, Oishi Park is simply an hour away and in addition presents a picturesque view of Mt Fuji surrounded by numerous flowers all 12 months spherical. Catch tulips and daffodils in spring, pink moss phlox and lavender in summer time, and kochia in autumn to early winter.
Journey time from Tokyo: 2.5 hours
Getting there: Take the Speedy practice on the JR Chuo Line from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku Station. Switch to the Fuji Tour line to Fujisan Station. Get onto the Fujiyuko bus in direction of Gotemba and cease at Oshino Hakkai.
Day journeys to Oshino Hakkai usually embrace stops at Lake Kawaguchi and the Gotemba Premium Shops for buying. From S$68.35, you’ll get a completely guided tour with choices for a steak or Japanese lunch set.
E-book the Mt Fuji Day Tour from Tokyo.
From Oshino Hakkai, you’ll be able to take the Fujiyuko again to Kawaguchiko and switch to the shuttle for Kawaguchiko Pure Residing Heart to go to Oishi Park.
Hannoki Bayashi Museum
Value: ¥300/pax, ~S$2.97/pax
Deal with: 2-6-5 Shibokusa, Hannoki Bayashi Shiryokan, Oshino, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0511, Japan
Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 9.30am-4pm | Sat-Solar 9am-4.30pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Contact: +81 555 84 2587
5. Choose & eat strawberries recent from the sector
The place Tokyo is all crowds and skyscrapers, simply an hour plus away is the mountainous prefecture of Gunma. For a fast escape from city noise, pencil in a Day Journey to Gunma (S$134.79) for limitless meals and a discipline of glowing lights for that a lot wanted journey pic for IG.
Picture credit score: Klook
Begin your day with selecting strawberries recent off the vines. However the reward on your laborious work is attending to eat as many of those juicy and candy berries as you’ll be able to. We’ll warning in opposition to filling up as there’s nonetheless an all-you-can-eat crab buffet for lunch. The crustacean is available in each kind together with boiled and grilled, so that you’ll need to save area to attempt all the things.
Gentle up for Christmas at Ashikaga Flower Park.
Picture credit score: @karashi.1119
One other spotlight of Gunma is Ashikaga Flower Park and Lake Sagami. At evening, these 2 locations are lit up in neon with about 3 million gentle bulbs. The dazzling gentle present is value a glance and some snaps too.
Journey time from Tokyo: 1.5 hours
Getting there: Take the JR East Hokuriku Shinkansen Line from Tokyo Station to Takasaki Station. You may get round most sights in Gunma by way of the general public bus system right here. For ease and comfort, the above day journey takes you immediately from Shinjuku in Tokyo to all spots talked about above. It additionally contains time for memento buying and a go to to a tofu pores and skin manufacturing facility.
E-book the Day Trip to Gunma.
– From Osaka –
1. Pet bunnies on an deserted island
You may be aware of Hiroshima out of your historical past books, however possibly not the cuddlier, softer facet to town that’s Okunoshima. Often known as Rabbit Island, this offshore isle is the place lots of of untamed bunnies have made this place their dwelling.
There are numerous theories and conspiracies as to why rabbits have taken over Okunoshima. One posits that the buns are leftover experiments from the warfare, whereas one other claims a bunch of faculty kids by chance left just a few there and so they mated like, properly, rabbits.
Picture credit score: @aya7couleurs
No matter their origin story, these rabbits are fairly tame and welcoming of human guests. They’re grasping creatures so one of the best ways to get their consideration is by feeding them treats (¥100, ~S$0.99). These can be found on the port earlier than you board the ferry to the island. You possibly can carry your personal recent veggies like lettuce and carrots. Simply make sure you clear up earlier than you permit.
Journey time from Osaka: 3 hours
Getting there: With the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Space Cross, you’ll be able to take the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Mihara Station. Then take the Mihara-Tadanoumi-Takehara bus to Okunoshima Entrance cease to get to Tadanoumi Port. You’ll have to take the Miyajima Ferry from right here to get to the island.
E-book the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass.
Okunoshima
Spherical journey ferry value: ¥620/pax, ~S$6.14
Deal with: 1-2-1 Tadanoumi, Tadanomi Port Takehara, Hiroshima 729-2316, Japan
Tadanoumi Port opening hours: 7.40am-6.40pm
Contact: + 81 846 26 0853 | Okunoshima website
2. Go to a village become an artwork set up on Japan’s artwork island
Picture credit score: @naoshimaisland
Paintings barricaded behind velvet ropes in a museum are merely put – boring. Not at Naoshima although, the place the complete island is roofed in artwork installations you’re free to the touch and work together with as a lot as you need.
Glass staircase on the Go’o Shrine as a part of the Artwork Home Undertaking.
Picture credit score: @sgrumbirei
You possibly can obtain the Naoshima Art Map that’ll present you the place every masterpiece is positioned. Prime of the checklist is the Artwork Home Undertaking, the place deserted homes in a village are actually houses to LED gentle installations and glass staircases.
Picture credit score: @letiboiss
Probably essentially the most IG-worthy is artist Yayoi Kusama’s Yellow Pumpkin discovered on the southern pier. She additionally has an equally eye-catching Purple Pumpkin on the northern a part of the island. This one is bigger and hole, which permits guests to crawl by the gourd.
Journey time from Osaka: 2.5 hours
Getting there: With the JR-West All Space Cross, you’ll be able to journey the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station, adopted by the JR Uno Line to Uno Port. Take the ferry to Miyanoura on Naoshima Island.
E-book the JR-West All Area Pass.
3. Be careful for monsters in Kyoto
Picture credit score: @yokaitoons
If it’s not your first rodeo in Kyoto, you’ve in all probability already coated the foremost websites just like the torii gates at Fushimi Inari and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The subsequent time you’re right here, keep on with town to go to Ichijo Dori Yokai Street.
Picture credit score: @s.okuda.7
Identical to the remainder of Kyoto that’s shrouded in tales of legendary creatures that roam the streets, Ichiko Dori Yokai is not any completely different. Right here, yokai or Japanese spirits take the type of handmade monsters that you simply’ll be capable of spot in entrance of outlets alongside this stretch.
Yokai Ramen.
Picture credit score: Kyoto Taishogun Ichijo Yokai Street
There’s no set formulation to how the monsters are created. You’ll see frog-like ones, one-eyed human collectible figurines, and even cats sporting kimonos. Mark your go to to “Monster Avenue” with the aptly named yokai ramen (¥750, ~S$7.41) at Inoue Restaurant. The pink ramen noodles in a pitch-black broth is simply as terrifying because the monsters outdoors.
Journey time from Osaka: 1 hour
Getting there: The Hankyu Kyoto Line brings you immediately from Osaka-Umeda Station to Saiin Station in Kyoto. From right here, board the Kyoto Metropolis Bus Route 26 to Kitano Hakubaicho. Ichjio Dori Yokai Road is a brief 3-minute stroll away.
E-book the Hankyu Tourist Pass.
Inoue Restaurant
Deal with: 7-3 Okamino, Inoue Restaurant, Kamigyo, Kyoto 602-8375, Japan
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 11am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-9pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: +81 75 461 7019 | Inoue Restaurant website
4. Go to essentially the most sacred website in Japan
In case you’re struggling to seek out internal peace, maybe a go to to essentially the most sacred website in Japan will set your coronary heart and thoughts straight. That is Mt Koya AKA the HQ of Shingon Buddhism, one of many oldest spiritual practices within the nation.
Banryu Tei Rock Backyard.
Picture credit score: @x768
Shrines and monasteries quantity within the lots of right here, however the important thing one to go to is the Kongobuji Temple that’s thought-about the principle temple of the sect. You’ll need to try the Banryu Tei Rock Backyard within the yard, which is the biggest rock backyard in Japan. One other large function is the temple’s kitchen that’s large enough to feed a crowd of two,000 simply.
Picture credit score: Klook
In case you’d fairly be one with nature, many locals advocate trekking the encompassing forests of Mount Koya for forest remedy. It’s the act of staying nonetheless and permitting your self to completely expertise the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. Apparently, it helps folks destress and chill out.
Journey time from Osaka: 2.5 hours
Getting there: Take the Osaka Loop Line from Osaka Station to Shin-Imamiya Station then change to the Nankai-Restricted Specific to Gokurakubashi Station. From right here, journey the Nankai Koyasan Cable Automobile as much as Koyasan Station.
You may as well ebook a Mt Koya Day Tour (S$ 238.69) that begins from Kyoto Station, which is a mere 20 minutes away from Osaka by way of the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen. The day tour contains transport and admission to Kongobuji Temple, Okuno-in Mausoleum, in addition to lunch at an area restaurant.
E-book the Mt Koya Day Tour.
Kongobuji Temple
Deal with: 1-3-2 Koyasan, Kongobuji Temple, Koya, Ito, Wakayama 648-0294, Japan
Opening hours: 8.30am-5pm, Every day
Contact: +81 736 56 2011 | Kongobuji Temple website
5. Come face-to-face with with Godzilla
There’s no scarcity of lovable characters in Japan. Hi there Kitty and pals, and Totoro and his gang all have outlets and theme parks devoted to them. However one oft-neglected character now has his personal museum.
Picture credit score: Klook
Enter Godzilla Museum on Awaji Island. In case you depend your self a fan of the 120m-tall lizard that terrorises Japan, that is the place you’ll be able to come face-to-face with him. A life dimension reproduction of Godzilla greets guests to Awaji Island. There are dioramas of the beast in motion, and a museum to study his backstory to go to too.
Picture credit score: Klook
One of many larger thrills right here is the zipline journey that’s each a journey and sport in a single. You’ll first zip by Godzilla’s mouth, then be deployed to rescue hapless residents from the monster’s wrath in a capturing sport.
Journey time from Osaka: 1.5 hours
Getting there: With the Hanshin 1-Day Vacationer Cross, you’ll be able to take a direct practice from Osaka-Umeda Station to Maikokoen Station. Thereafter, it’s a brief 8-minute stroll to
Kosoku Maiko, the place you’ll be able to take the Shinki Bus headed in direction of Nojima to achieve Kenritsu Awajishima Koen, the doorway to the museum.
E-book the Hanshin 1-Day Tourist Pass.
Godzilla Museum
Value:
Admission and zipline for grownup (12 years previous and up): ¥3,040, ~S$30.04
Admission and zipline for little one (5-11 years previous): ¥1,360, ~S$13.44
Deal with: 2425-2 Kusumoto, Awajishima Park, Awaji Metropolis, Hyogo 656-2301, Japan
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Every day
Contact: Godzilla Museum website
E-book tickets to Godzilla Museum.
Go to these much less touristy locations in Japan
It doesn’t matter what number of instances you’ve accomplished the identical itineraries in Osaka and Tokyo. Now you’ll be able to add on close by cities that may be coated in a brief day journey to change issues up a bit.
We’ve already accomplished the legwork in compiling the analysis for you, all you need to do now’s pack, and get your attraction tickets prepared in fact. Fortunately, this may be accomplished in only a few clicks once you ebook on Klook, the place you’ll get on the spot confirmations despatched on to your e-mail.
And even in case you’re not into planning schedules right down to the minute to go to these locales, Klook has day journeys you’ll be able to ebook as properly. These spherical journey choices present direct transport, in addition to meals and guides as properly. Now there’s no cause to restrict your self to the identical few vacationer spots the subsequent time you’re in Tokyo or Osaka.
Book all you need for your Japan trip via Klook here
This put up was dropped at you by Klook.
Images by Tasha Solar.
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