Relaxing family getaways in Japan off the beaten path.
What are some less-touristed family getaways in Japan, for travelers seeking beautiful places with fewer crowds? Answer
Options include Sakaiminato, a port town and birthplace of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki; Inuyama, a castle town anchored by Inuyama Castle; and Nishiwaki, a city at the geographic centre of Japan. This page includes 17 options. Click here to see which are close enough to be day trips from major cities like Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto.
Takahashi
Bitchū Matsuyama Castle, a rare surviving mountain castle in Okayama Prefecture, overlooks this compact city in the mountains of western Japan.
Omihachiman
On the eastern shore of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Omihachiman is a Japanese city known for its merchant heritage — the Omi merchants were among feudal J…
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…
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…
Shibata
A Japanese castle rising above a wide moat, a lush traditional garden viewed from a wooden corridor, dark-timbered merchant streetscapes, and a bowl of local…
Inuyama
Inuyama, a town in Aichi Prefecture north of Nagoya, is anchored by Inuyama Castle, a feudal-era fortress that gave the surrounding castle town its identity…
Hanno
This city in Saitama Prefecture, western Tokyo's commuter belt, home to Metsa, a theme park built around the Moomin characters.
Nishiwaki
Nishiwaki, in Hyōgo Prefecture, markets itself as "The Navel of Japan" — its Nihon no Heso Park marks the precise crossing of the 135° East meridian and the…
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…
Chino
A city in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, with scenic surrounds that include the Yatsugatake mountains, Shirakaba Lake, the Tateshina highlands, and Kurumayama — m…
Gamagori
A coastal city on Mikawa Bay in Aichi Prefecture, Gamagori draws visitors with a cluster of hot-spring districts — Nishiura, Mitaya, Katahara, and Gamagori i…
Towada
Towada, in Aomori Prefecture, is the gateway city for Lake Towada and the Oirase Stream, two of the scenic highlights of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
Inagi
This western Tokyo city along the Tama River where traditional Shinto shrines stand amid suburban greenery, a riverside amusement park adds a lively edge, an…
Kitakami
Kitakami, in Iwate Prefecture, is an industrial city in the Tohoku region known for the cherry blossoms that bloom each spring in Tenshochi Park.
Maibara
A compact Shiga Prefecture town where bullet trains streak past snow-dusted mountains, sitting close to Lake Biwa's northern shore with easy access to the wi…
Tatebayashi
A city in Gunma Prefecture known for Azalea Hill Park and Morin-ji temple, home to the Bunbuku Chagama — a Japanese folkloric tale of a tanuki that transform…
Gyoda
Gyoda, a city in northern Saitama Prefecture, is known across Japan as a historic centre of tabi sock production — a tradition recognised under Japan's Herit…
Family getaways in Japan: quick answers
Which family getaways in Japan can you visit on a day trip from Tokyo or Osaka?
Gyoda, Tateyama and Tatebayashi are among 3 family getaways on our day trips from Tokyo. And Omihachiman, Nishiwaki and Maibara are among 3 family getaways on our day trips from Osaka.
Which are the highest-rated?
3 are rated gold, including Shibata, Omihachiman and Sakaiminato.