I spent a year traveling around Japan. Skip the crowded tourist spots and head to these 4 destinations instead.
A travel writer shares personal recommendations for visiting Japan, suggesting travelers avoid crowded hubs like Tokyo and Kyoto in favor of quieter locations. The article highlights Miyajima and Sapporo as superior alternatives for experiencing authentic culture and scenery.
Why it matters
Provides practical advice for sustainable tourism and managing the impact of over-tourism in popular global destinations.
Hakone and Sapporo are two of my favorite places to visit in Japan. Sarah O'Keefe After traveling all around Japan, I've found places I love more than tourist hot spots like Tokyo . Instead of visiting popular cities like Kyoto, I recommend checking out Miyajima's architecture. My favorite, less crowded option for seeing cherry blossoms is in Sapporo. From slurping steamy ramen to strolling through cherry blossoms and searching for vintage Pokémon shirts, Japan has become one of my favorite places to visit. After nearly a year of traveling around the country, I've explored ancient towns, futuristic metropolises, ski slopes, islands, and many quiet cities in between. Even though I know it can be hard for first-time visitors to resist iconic places like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, these cities have become increasingly crowded and usually leave me wanting more.
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