Japan Off The Beaten Path

  An small island at the Port of Nagasaki
by KevinMichael
 
  • An small island at the Port of Nagasaki
      An small island at the Port of Nagasaki
    by KevinMichael
  •   Ohara Area
    by shrimp56
  •   Ohara Area
    by shrimp56
  •   Ohara Area
    by shrimp56
  •   Ohara Area
    by shrimp56
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Japan

76.

Day Trip out of Tokyo   Tokyo

Day Trip out of Tokyo, Tokyo

 44 Reviews  ....Every year in late April/Early May, the 1300-year-old Shiofune Kannon Temple's grounds come afire with brilliant azaleas blooming on a stadium-like landscape that is focused on a huge standing... 

 See All 223 Off The Beaten Path in Tokyo

77.

Ohara Area   Kyoto

Ohara Area, Kyoto

 6 Reviews  Ohara is a major stomping ground for Japanese 'aki-front' followers; when the nation gets bored of pining for cherry blossoms and instead glues its eyes to NHK for the first news reports of Kyoto's... 

 See All 110 Off The Beaten Path in Kyoto

78.

temples & shrines   Osaka

temples & shrines, Osaka

 16 Reviews  We came accidentally to this small garden with a shrine and a cemetery inside and had a look around: Shinko-in Temple A ceremony had started shortly after we came and we were invited to participate.... 

 See All 64 Off The Beaten Path in Osaka

79.

Shrines and Temples   Tokyo

Shrines and Temples, Tokyo

 23 Reviews  Gotokuji temple, a Soto-sect zen temple in Setagaya-ku, is best known by the legend of Manekineko better known as "lucky cats" or "beckoning cats". It was originally built in 1480 in a part of... 

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80.

Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple   Kyoto

Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, Kyoto

 2 Reviews  Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, beautiful buddhist stone sculptures. In Arashiyama, go to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, where one can walk the bamboo grove. pass this temple, follow the walking path north,till one reaches... 

 See All 110 Off The Beaten Path in Kyoto

81.

Sightseeing outside Osaka   Osaka

Sightseeing outside Osaka, Osaka

 8 Reviews  Just three hours from Osaka by Shinkansen, Imabari is a beautiful city on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea. It is the home to beautiful Imabari Castle, one of the most outstanding examples of medieval... 

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82.

Experience   Tokyo

Experience, Tokyo

 17 Reviews  It is common to see the beautiful Mt Fuji from the window of the Bullet train (direction: Kyoto, Osaka). It is particularly a superb experience to see the snow-covered Mt. Fuji in early Spring... 

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83.

Otsu City   Kyoto

Otsu City, Kyoto

 4 Reviews  Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan and among the top largest lakes in the world. It is actually surrounded by a few prefectures, one of which is Shiga. All the usual lake activities can be found... 

 See All 110 Off The Beaten Path in Kyoto

84.

shopping   Osaka

shopping, Osaka

 7 Reviews  This almost went in as a "warning" tip, but I think seeing things like this are essential if you want to get a good sense of a foreign country. On Sundays there is a flea market west of the pedestrian... 

 See All 64 Off The Beaten Path in Osaka

85.

Local People and Lives   Tokyo

Local People and Lives, Tokyo

 16 Reviews  Don't speak much or any Japanese and looking to meet some friendly Japanese people who do? Com Inn is a cozy, little English conversation cafe in Ebisu, near the Doutor building. Most of the time it... 

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86.

Fushimi Inari Shrine   Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

 5 Reviews  Two train stops south out of Kyoto, a brilliant walk right from Fushimi station takes you to the temple of Fushimi-Inari, and continuing up the hill through 10,000 red torii dedicated by companies to... 

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87.

culture & history   Osaka

culture & history, Osaka

 3 Reviews  This little gem hides in a sub-urban area of Osaka. Located in the heart of Hattori-Ryoukuchi Park. It contains a collection of 11 old Japanese Farmhouses from all over Japan. Most of them are... 

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88.

Shinjuku   Tokyo

Shinjuku, Tokyo

 10 Reviews  Shinjuku Nichome (literally Shinjuku 2nd District) is a name known to most straight Japanese but visited by very few- it is the "notorious" epicentre of gay life in Japan. In a four block radius,this... 

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89.

Arashiyama   Kyoto

Arashiyama, Kyoto

 2 Reviews  If you fancy something different to do in Kyoto or simply suffering from temple fatigue and like animals, how about a trip to the Monkey Park at Arashiyama. You enter the park strolling up a steep... 

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90.

Kansai international airport   Osaka

Kansai international airport, Osaka

 1 Review  Kansai Airport has an observation hall tour you can take thats intresting. Bus ride for the Observation Hall departs every 10-15 minutes from the AEROPLAZA, located in front of Kansai Airport. Bus... 

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91.

Ikebukuro   Tokyo

Ikebukuro, Tokyo

 6 Reviews  The world's biggest car showroom is just under the railway bridge in front of sunshine city. On five floors you can see all Toyotas cars, including some that only seem to be made for the Japanese... 

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92.

Nanzenji Temple   Kyoto

Nanzenji Temple, Kyoto

 4 Reviews  This is a huge temple complex situated in the eastern part of Kyoto at the foot of the hills, and can be considered off the beaten track as it doesn't seem to get as much visitors as the other more... 

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93.

Tsukiji Market   Tokyo

Tsukiji Market, Tokyo

 7 Reviews  Though not a fishing trip in the usual sense of the word, you will see more fish here than you ever have before. I struggled to find a way to describe it. I have come across the following passage... 

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94.

Hozu River   Kyoto

Hozu River, Kyoto

 3 Reviews  Old Cliffie is a bit too old for white-knuckle pastimes such as bungee jumping or whitewater rafting. But he did enjoy the 'Hozugawa Kudari' - trip down the river Hozu - near Kyoto. Take the train (20... 

 See All 110 Off The Beaten Path in Kyoto

95.

Theatres and Museums   Tokyo

Theatres and Museums, Tokyo

 8 Reviews  The Yebisu Beer Museum is one of those places you can only find in Tokyo. The admission is free, although the beer isn't. It is in the Yebisu Garden Palace, and is a place that commemorates the... 

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96.

General   Kyoto

General, Kyoto

 6 Reviews  Kyoto is not really a very large city, although there are many places to visit! The bus, train, and subway system really makes most of the city very easy to access. What many people consider to be... 

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97.

Odaiba & Ariake   Tokyo

Odaiba & Ariake, Tokyo

 4 Reviews  What greeted me next was quite a surprise (even for a liberal thinker such as myself!) & even though I had mentally prepared for it. A sea of women of all ages and a few girls, were changing out of... 

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98.

Yoshino City   Kyoto

Yoshino City, Kyoto

 3 Reviews  Yoshino is south of Kyoto, located in Nara-ken. It's a famous place of watching cherry blossoms and red leaves. About 2 hours of trains from Kyoto, with a change of train at Kashihara-jingu-mae,... 

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99.

Parks, Yards, Gardens and Squares   Tokyo

Parks, Yards, Gardens and Squares, Tokyo

 14 Reviews  The Ueno Zoo is just like most every other metropolitan zoo. The calling card for this one though is its Panda Bears. The panda's are pretty cool to look at, and there are a few other animals which I... 

 See All 223 Off The Beaten Path in Tokyo

100.

Hyogo Prefecture   Kyoto

Hyogo Prefecture, Kyoto

 3 Reviews  Many say that one will not need to visit any other castle after seeing the most beautiful castle of Japan, the Himeji Castle. Although a bit far from Kyoto than other nearby places, this castle is... 

 See All 110 Off The Beaten Path in Kyoto

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

A View of the Samurai Era

by pharsadi

When I heard the word Japan, I've always thought that all cities in Japan were very high tech with high rise buildings everywhere, modern shopping malls, and latest and greatest electronics gadgets. I've never seen the 'mellow' side of Japan until I came across to this place.This place is in the Hamano Uchi area in Ome. Just by the Tamagawa river. It does have a very serene athmosphere. You can also see a model home of how people lived in the samurai area. We also met with the garden keeper who was very nice. There is also a small museum in the area. It's a very nice place to just walk around, and smell the fresh air. And it's FREE.

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Walking underneath the moonlight

by pharsadi

Not exactly sure what the street name is, but there's a walkway on the beach, going to the "Decks" mall in Odaiba. The walkway can be found near the "99 store" at the "Searea" apartment complex. Walk at night, it's very safe there. In addition to the moonlight, you'll see lights from the buildings. It's a pretty romantic walk I'd say.

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Compulsory rice eating - NIKKO

by Pixiekatten

The ceremony of compulsory rice eating is called Gohan-shiki. It has a long history in Rinnoji Temple in Nikko. The Gohhan-shiki is carried out on April 2nd.Participants of the Gohhan-shiki will receive the big rice bowl, which contains 5.4 litters of rice. It is believed that the participants will have a family fortune and a healthy life without accidents.

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KOBE - Royal Fort Sweden

by Pixiekatten

There I am, in another country across the globe, walking around the streets of Kobe with a friend when I suddenly see something very familiar, but so very out of place!! A huge villa with swedish flags hanging out through the windows. Of course I had to check it out. It was the Royal Fort Sweden. A company in Kobe builds houses in Japan according to swedish high standards. Apparently the swedes are amongst the best in the world to build good isolated houses that keep the warmth inside! How cool! Me and my friend got a guided tour and I must say, it looked nothing like the houses I ever seen in Sweden being superduper luxiurious!!! The visit ended with me starting to look inside a japanese interior-design magazine lying by the fireplace while my friend and the guid chatted away. I could not believe my eyes when I stumbled upon an article about Malmö, my hometown in Sweden!!! :) I got the...

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Donate!

by Pixiekatten

It only takes a couple of days in Japan and then your wallet or pocket is full of them, these 1 or 5 yen coins that you just dont know what to do with... I could never bring myself to use them in shops.. When something costs 499yen I just couldnt pay with 1s or 5s!Then one day in Kyoto I discovered what to do with them, I started using them for donations at shrines and temples after seing and older lady pouring a bag full of them into a donationbox. Made me feel good plus it made my trousers weigh less! =)

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Visit Shakotan Peninsula

by bkathryn

On my final full day in Japan during my most recent trip, I joined some colleagues in renting a vehicle and driving around the Shakotan Peninsula, from Sapporo. It was very interesting and quite scenic.

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Climb Mt Fuji

by windyc

A must to hike and stay in one of the station huts, it's all part of the experience getting your walking stick stamped at each station. I was part of the US Team (85 women) climbing for breast cancer along side 400 Japanese for Breast Cancer Awareness. Once at the top we had a traditional prayer flag ceremony for those we have lost and for all of those who have battled and won!

Man hole watching!

by Damewah

If your like me and like to notice the small details that are different in a foriegn country, then keep your eye on the ground in Japan. I'm not sure why but they can have some beautiful Man hole covers. Now I have not researched this subject so don't get upset if I'm wrong but there were numerous multi coloured man hole covers everywhere. so here is an example! Enjoy!

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Visit Matsumoto.

by worldkiwi

Matsumoto is a city in the Nagano prefecture of central Honshu. It is a small city with a distinctly provincial feel to it. The city is high up in the mountains and was very chilly when I was there in April 2006.The city's most famous attraction is Matusumoto-jo (the castle), Japan's oldest. It dates back to the late 1500s, though it has undergone rennovations since then. The city has a number of other attractions, besides the castle. See my small Matsumoto page for more information.

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Stamping each station

by ghosty77

You might have a small notebook while you are travelling. You can stamping at each subway station at arrival of the station...all this stamps has their unque features..for example Ryogoku Station crafted with big fat sumo...etc.

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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Japan
  1. Tokyo Off The Beaten Path
  2. Kyoto Off The Beaten Path
  3. Osaka Off The Beaten Path
  4. Nagoya Off The Beaten Path
  5. Kobe Off The Beaten Path
  6. Sapporo Off The Beaten Path
  7. Hiroshima Off The Beaten Path
  8. Sasebo Off The Beaten Path
  9. Nara Off The Beaten Path
  10. Fukuoka Off The Beaten Path
  11. Nikko Off The Beaten Path
  12. Narita Off The Beaten Path
  13. Yokohama Off The Beaten Path
  14. Takayama Off The Beaten Path
  15. Okinawa Off The Beaten Path
  16. Shinjuku Off The Beaten Path
  17. Nagano Off The Beaten Path
  18. Yokosuka Off The Beaten Path
  19. Hakone Off The Beaten Path
  20. Nagasaki Off The Beaten Path
  21. Hamamatsu Off The Beaten Path
  22. Fuji-Hakone-Izu-kokuritsu-koen Off The Beaten Path
  23. Niigata Off The Beaten Path
  24. Naha Off The Beaten Path
  25. Okayama Off The Beaten Path
  26. Himeji Off The Beaten Path
  27. Miyajima Off The Beaten Path
  28. Kanazawa Off The Beaten Path
  29. Kamakura Off The Beaten Path
  30. Beppu Off The Beaten Path
  31. Kumamoto Off The Beaten Path
  32. Kawasaki Off The Beaten Path
  33. Otaru Off The Beaten Path
  34. Hakodate Off The Beaten Path
  35. Sendai Off The Beaten Path
  36. Kitakyushu Off The Beaten Path
  37. Misawa Off The Beaten Path
  38. Iwakuni Off The Beaten Path
  39. Okinawa City Off The Beaten Path
  40. Yokohama Off The Beaten Path
  41. Shizuoka Off The Beaten Path
  42. Harajuku Off The Beaten Path
  43. Chiba Off The Beaten Path
  44. Koyasan Off The Beaten Path
  45. Ise Off The Beaten Path
  46. Toyama Off The Beaten Path
  47. Komaki Off The Beaten Path
  48. Utsunomiya Off The Beaten Path
  49. Tsukuba Off The Beaten Path
  50. Matsuyama Off The Beaten Path

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Questions and Answers

yirojam profile photo

Q:  Hi there, Will arrive in Tokyo, Narit Airport for a layover and wanted to take advantage of seeing something. I will arrive at... 

Fugu profile photo

A: youre lucky to be arriving so early, so you will likely pass through immigration fairly quickly. lets still count with an hour just in case. you can either take the... 

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