Relaxing family getaways in Japan off the beaten path.
Less-touristed family getaways in Japan, for travelers seeking fewer crowds but all the beauty.
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…