Japanese coast and islands off the beaten path.
Less-touristed coastal towns and islands in Japan, for travelers seeking fewer crowds but all the beauty.
Owase
A compact Japanese port town where densely packed low-rise streets meet a working harbour, backed dramatically by steep, forest-covered mountains that drop a…
Shuzenji
A Japanese hot-spring town on the Izu Peninsula where a rocky river rushes through a compact centre of traditional inns, autumn-coloured maples, and wooded h…
Sumoto
Waterfront town on Awaji Island in Hyōgo Prefecture, Sumoto sits where mountains meet the sea, with scenic viewpoints in the surrounding hills and a compact…
Tokushima
Tokushima, the capital of Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku island, sits at the water's edge and markets itself as a "water city," with mountains close by.
Amami
This waterfront city on Amami Ōshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture serves as the island's main port and economic hub, with a walkable centre well supplied w…
Karatsu
This coastal city in Saga Prefecture on Kyushu, Karatsu sits on Genkai-nada bay with scenic viewpoints across the surrounding area and UNESCO World Heritage…
Izunokuni
A Japanese town on the northern Izu Peninsula where forested hills rise directly from a broad residential valley, offering elevated viewpoints across layered…
Sukumo
This compact Japanese port town where forested ridgelines meet a deeply indented bay, with small islands dotting the inlet and the town's low-rise streets ru…
Wakayama
This Japanese castle complex with dark-tiled rooftops and autumn foliage commands elevated views over this coastal Kansai city, where a broad bay and arched…
Yawatahama
A port town on the western tip of Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku, Yawatahama has long been a trading hub — once nicknamed "the Osaka of Iyo" for its sea commerc…
Nobeoka
A coastal city in northern Miyazaki Prefecture, Nobeoka sits where rivers meet the sea with mountain terrain close by.
Numazu
Coastal city in Shizuoka Prefecture where a working harbour and bay views sit directly beneath the snow-capped volcanic peak visible on the horizon, with a w…
Beppu
Beppu, on the eastern coast of Kyushu's Ōita Prefecture, is one of Japan's three great hot spring cities, known above all for the Hells of Beppu — a collecti…
Kuwana
This Japanese city in Mie Prefecture where a broad river meets the bay, offering elevated viewpoints over patchwork rice fields, winding waterways, and a low…
Kisarazu
This port city on the southwestern coast of Chiba Prefecture, Kisarazu has functioned as a harbour town since ancient times and retains a designated priority…
Kainan
A coastal town in northern Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, known as a production centre for Kishū lacquerware, with the wider region ringed by UNESCO World Herit…
Zamami
A tiny island village in Okinawa's Kerama Islands, Zamami sits on the water with mountain terrain rising behind it and an unusually dense café and restaurant…
Sakaiminato
Birthplace of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, Sakaiminato is a port town in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, where bronze statues of characters from his celebrated se…
Hadano
A Japanese city in Kanagawa's upland country where forested ridgelines give way to sweeping views over a broad valley basin and a glittering bay beyond, with…
Matsue
Matsue Castle, one of the last surviving feudal castles from the Tokugawa era, anchors this lakeside city in Shimane Prefecture on Japan's Honshu island.
Kotohira
Kotohira-gū, the Shinto shrine known informally as Konpira-san, draws visitors to this pocket-sized town in Kagawa Prefecture via a staircase of 1,368 steps…
Tatsunocho-tominaga
This Japanese coastal town in Hyōgo Prefecture where a historic white-walled castle compound meets a working marina, wooded hillsides blazing with autumn col…
Kariya
Coastal town in Hyōgo Prefecture where a historic castle tower rises above a moat, traditional festival processions fill the streets, and the calm Seto Inlan…
Mihara
This red multi-tiered pagoda rises above a hillside cemetery with vivid autumn ginkgo trees, overlooking a compact coastal city backed by forested mountains…
Takamatsu
This densely built Japanese city spreading to the shore of an island-dotted inland sea, Takamatsu rewards visitors with a lively dining scene, nearby viewpoi…
Onomichi
A quiet port city on the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima Prefecture, Onomichi is known for its concentration of temples, a walkable hillside centre with cafés a…
Niigata
Japan's largest city on the Sea of Japan coast, Niigata sits directly on the water with views toward Sado Island and the mountains beyond.
Tahara
This Pacific-facing city in Aichi Prefecture occupies most of the Atsumi Peninsula, with water on multiple sides and mountain views inland.
Kasaoka
A coastal city in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, Kasaoka is best known as a gateway to the Kasaoka Islands archipelago in the Seto Inland Sea — a group of more t…
Tottori
This grassy hilltop with ancient stone castle walls offers sweeping views over Tottori's low-rise cityscape, backed by forested hills, while the city itself…
Toyama
Coastal city on the Sea of Japan in central Honshū, Toyama offers mountain views inland and a dense café and restaurant scene, with UNESCO World Heritage sit…
Uwajima
Coastal castle town in southern Ehime Prefecture known for its bullfighting tradition, Uwajima developed around Uwajima Castle and remains the main city of t…
Kabira
White-sand bay on Ishigaki Island draws glass-bottom boat tours across vivid turquoise shallows, with densely forested islets, mountain views beyond, and a c…
Kesennuma
A port town on the Sanriku Coast of Miyagi Prefecture, Kesennuma is home to Japan's only shark museum, where visitors can try shark fin burgers alongside oth…
Shikokuchuo
Japan's leading producer of paper and paper products, Shikokuchuo is a port city in Ehime Prefecture on the eastern edge of Shikoku island, where it borders…
Sendai
Satsumasendai, in Kagoshima Prefecture on Japan's Kyushu island, sits along the coast and incorporates the Koshikijima Islands, a chain with a history as a h…
Kuji
Compact Japanese coastal town where forested hills meet the Pacific, with a river threading through low-rise urban farmland to a working harbour and sandy ba…
Sasebo
Huis ten Bosch, a large Dutch-themed amusement park, anchors this waterfront city in Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu — Japan's second city in the…
Fuji
Sitting at the southern foot of Mount Fuji with its city limits stretching from Suruga Bay to just below the mountain's summit, this mid-sized Shizuoka city…
Hirado
This historic port town in Nagasaki Prefecture, Hirado served as one of Japan's primary gateways for European trade during the 16th and 17th centuries, blend…
Akashi
This Japanese castle tower rises above a canopy of green trees in this waterfront city on the Akashi Strait, with a lively dining scene and easy access to UN…
Takasaki
Takasaki, the largest city in Gunma Prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, is best known as the home of the Daruma doll — a round, weighted figure repr…
Soma
This coastal city in Fukushima Prefecture known for Matsukawa-ura lagoon and the Soma Nomaoi, a centuries-old wild horse festival held annually in the area.
Niihama
Niihama is a coastal industrial city on the Seto Inland Sea in eastern Ehime Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, known for the historic Besshi copper mine…
Iwakuni
Kintai-kyo, a five-arched wooden bridge first built in 1673, is the centrepiece of this castle town in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan.
Hōfu-shi
Mid-size Japanese city on the Seto Inland Sea, where dense grey-tile rooftops spread toward a low commercial centre backed by green wooded hills, with coasta…
Sakaidecho
Sakaide, in Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, sits on the Seto Inland Sea at the point where the Seto Ohashi Bridge meets the four Shikoku shore —…
Kozushima
This tiny island village in the Izu Islands, administered as part of Tokyo, Kozushima is well known among fishing enthusiasts, anglers, and divers, with the…
Ōmuta-shi
This waterfront city on Kyūshū's coast, Ōmuta draws visitors with dramatic festival culture — as seen in this image of costumed performers atop a decorated f…
Usuki
Usuki's Stone Buddhas, designated a National Treasure, are among the most significant rock-carved Buddhist images in Japan, drawing visitors to this coastal…
Kirishima
Kirishima, in Kagoshima Prefecture on Japan's Kyushu island, is a city known for the Kirishima mountain range — listed among Japan's hundred celebrated peaks…
Komatsushimacho
This working Japanese port town on the Kii Strait, where fishing boats line a calm river channel and low-rise buildings give way to forested hills rising in…
Sakata
Lively Japanese port city on the Sea of Japan, Sakata draws visitors with its waterfront setting, surrounding hills, a thriving food scene, and street festiv…
Shizuoka
Coastal Japanese city where a white-walled castle sits above a moat, vivid green tea fields roll across the hillsides, and a snow-capped volcanic peak domina…
Inawashiro
Inawashiro sits on the shore of Lake Inawashiro, Japan's fourth largest lake, where beach resorts, swimming, camping, and boating draw visitors to this compa…
Tateyama
Coastal city on the southern tip of Chiba Prefecture, Tateyama sits along shoreline that forms part of the Minami-Bōsō Quasi-National Park, with scenic views…
Muroran
A Hokkaido port city where an illuminated suspension bridge arcs over the water at night, a coastal lighthouse crowns a headland, and an industrial waterfron…
Saijō-shi
A city in Ehime Prefecture on the Seto Inland Sea, Saijō sits at the foot of Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan.
Matsuyama
Matsuyama, the largest city on Shikoku island and capital of Ehime Prefecture, pairs a dense café and restaurant scene with a coastal setting and easy access…
Iwaki
Sitting on the Pacific coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Iwaki is a large city with a walkable centre offering a solid range of cafés and restaurants.