Bekaboo

I've been to these major Japanese cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Kyoto, Fukushima, Kumamoto, Sendai, Sapporo, and many others) and done "the usual." Now I'm looking for that unique, unusual, off-the-beaten track, experience in Japan. I prefer train travel. And I don't need English speaking places (actually, I prefer not----so as to get a more in depth travel experience). I like scenery, food, and any interesting experience. Where have you gone that you would recommend? Or what have you done that was interesting that you would recommend? It wouldn't matter if there were no westerners around, either (actually, I prefer that, too) Thanks!!

crellston

I have been looking for something similar myself and quite like the idea of of the walking trails similar to this one

http://www.okujapan.com/walking-tour...rail/index.php not as a tour but on a DIY basis.

Craig

The Noto Peninsula is not on the normal tourist route, but you can't get all the way there by train. You can catch a bus where the train stops but you would still need transportation to get around. We flew and then rented a car. I don't know if that is in your budget, but the views along the coastal road were stunning. The area is rather rural and it is unlikely that you will run into anyone that speaks English. We did not except for the friendly owners at Flatt's where we stayed one night. The dinner and breakfast there were fabulous so I think I hit all of your criteria (except for the train) - scenery, food, interesting and little English spoken...

KimJapan

Yes, Noto Peninsula ticks the boxes. Exactly what I was thinking.

The Hakusan area - need a car.

Sado island.

thursdaysd

How about the pilgrimage circuit on Shikoku? You should meet plenty of Japanese doing that.

You can get to the island by train, and then walk....

mrwunrfl

I will assume you mean off the beaten track for non-Japanese tourists.

Takachiho, the gorge, other sites, are great but the kagura dance in November is one of my best experiences in Japan. I saw the performance at the building next to the shrine. Small, intimate place, maybe a hundred Japanese and me sitting on a hard wooden floor watching the amusing show.

It really was a sweet experience and I think that I benefited by having visited southern Kyushu for several days before going to Takachiho (Kirishima, Miyazaki). Might have been different had I gone directly there from Tokyo (which would not be easy to do) and jet-lagged.

The ryokan where I stayed had a van to take me and a few other guests to/from the show. After the show, the spell was broken, and it was a scramble of tourists heading to their vehicles to leave.

I would see if I could take a pillow with me if I did it again, but would go without it if necessary. The Japanese were also not comfortable on the floor, but happy about the show, so it wasn't just me.

During that time, starting end of November and going for weeks, I think, there are also all-night performances at farm houses in the area.

mrwunrfl

NOT off the beaten path, but unique and unusual, and a great fave experience of mine was attending the Miyako Odori in Kyoto.

cokesmith

Here is one of our blogs for Japan - pretty off the beaten path for normal tourism, not so much for wildlife and nature - enjoy.

Hokkaido

http://cokesmithphototravel.com/hokk...adventure.html


Chubu

http://cokesmithphototravel.com/natu...bu-region.html

Bekaboo

Domo arigato everyone for all your wonderful suggestions. This forum rocks!

Cattail

coke, it's rare that I am quite this enamored with one travelogue, but oh, m' gosh!

aprillilacs

I just finished a 10-day trek in northeastern Kyushu, on the Kunisaki Peninsula, with Walk Japan (walkjapan.com). Aside from the 10 other people on the trek (Australians, Canadians, Swedes, and us Americans), we saw no other Westerners. This is an area rich in Buddhist connections, with dramatic ridge walks, colorful mountains at this time of year, and charming rural scenes. Our guide was fluent in Japanese, which made it easy. Truly a trip to remember, to an area that not many Japanese know much about--highly recommended.

kalihiwai2

aprillilacs, Thanks for the link and recommendation. We were in Yufuin last year and would like to go back to that area for more in depth hiking. Walkjapan's itinerary through Kunisaki looks great. Are you going to post a trip report? I'd like to hear about Himeshima Island.

Kyushu would be my suggestion for off the beaten track suggestions. Such diversity from Nagasaki to Oita with Saga in between,great history, agriculture and cuisine.

You could throw a dart at a map of Japan and any place it hit could offer something for the traveller that enjoys Japan. We spent two weeks just in Tokyo and barely scratched the surface and the same could be said for Kyoto

Coke thank you for your trip reports, you have totally changed my thinking about a winter visit to Japan and your nature photos are Nat Geo worthy.

With all the trip reports coming in from the fall Fodors push, it makes it hard to plan. So many options with a limited amount of days.

aprillilacs

Yep, I'll post a trip report after we return from Japan--we have a week in Tokyo before heading home to San Francisco. You are right on all counts, kalihiwai!

mrwunrfl

The San-in coast is definitely off the beaten track. Hagi might prove underwhelming to some visitors, but I really enjoyed it and want to go back. Matsue has a terrific castle and nearby is the amazing Izumo Taisha (which makes Matsue a popular place for wedding parties to stay).

I think that my experience at Izumo station attests to its off the beaten track status. I was the only person waiting at the bus stop for the bus to the shrine when a police officer came up and asked to see my passport. I had it with me, thinking that I might be requested to show it when presenting my JR Pass at Matsue or Izumo stations. Also, I wanted to have proof that I was not a trouble-making Russian sailor like the ones in Hokkaido that I read about.

You mentioned train travel. The schedule at the link below is out of date, but you can read about some seasonal trains:
http://jprail.com/travel-information...n-railway.html

Kavey

Oh my! Doubt anyone is still checking back but just in case, Cokesmith, that report was a wonder to read. So enjoyed it, thank you for sharing!

hawaiiantraveler

I know this is an old post but imho the Shiretoko Peninsula is the most scenic place we have been to in Japan bar none. Daizetsusan also on Hokkaido rank a very close second.

Aloha!