I day-tripped to 3 peaceful Japanese towns just a few hours from major cities — and they were the highlights of my visit
A traveler shares recommendations for three rural Japanese day trips—Oshino, Shirakawa-go, and Nachi-Katsuura—that offer a peaceful alternative to major urban centers. The article emphasizes the cultural and natural highlights of these villages accessible via public transit.
Why it matters
It encourages sustainable and diverse tourism by highlighting lesser-known rural destinations in Japan.
Visiting Shirakawa-go felt like stepping into a fairy tale. Anika Nayak On my first visit to Japan , I checked out some villages that turned into the highlights of my trip. Oshino was peaceful and unforgettable, with great food and charming, thatched-roof houses. I also recommend checking out Shirakawa-go and Nachi-Katsuura for tons of culture and nature. When I planned my first trip to Japan during cherry blossom season, I knew I wanted to see the tourist highlights in major urban hubs like Tokyo and Osaka, but I wanted to embrace the countryside, too. I asked my family members who live in Japan for their recommendations, and their suggestions led me to three rural day trips, each just a couple of hours away from a major city. Luckily, each of these places was fairly easy to navigate and well worth the public-transit rides it took to get to them.
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