Tokyo-Free Japan: Destinations You Haven't Thought Of For Your Year-End Trip
Remember when the Japanese town of Fuji-Kawaguchiko put up a screen to block its views of Mount Fuji from tourists earlier this year, in frustration of overtourism?
Thanks to the low yen and the world’s undying love for Tokyo, crowding issues have only been growing in the Japanese capital, already the most populous city in the world.
So why jostle with everyone else when you head to the Land of the Rising Sun for your annual pilgrimage this year-end? There are plenty of other areas in the country to get your Japan fix. Here’s where to go.
1. Fukuoka: The one with the best ramen
Fukuoka has a fantastic food scene, especially when it comes to Hakata-style ramen and street food (check out Naka River’s famous yatai food stalls). This is the home of Ichiran, a popular ramen chain that draws snaking queues for its customisable ramen and rich, umami broth that you slurp up in individual booths. The city is also a great base for trips to other Kyushu attractions, like the onsen town of Yufuin and the beef paradise of Saga, all of which can easily be reached by JR train.
How to get there: Singapore Airlines flies direct to Fukuoka Airport.
2. Sapporo: The one with the chill factor
Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city, is a treat year-round – but most so in winter, when it hosts the famous Sapporo Snow Festival with awe-inspiring ice sculptures. It’s also a haven for fresh seafood, like Hokkaido scallops, king crab legs and uni, which you can generally get at very reasonable prices. Here, too, Sapporo Beer, Japan’s oldest beer brand, has a historic brewery that runs tours complete with tasting sessions. And if you venture just outside Sapporo, you’ll find top-notch ski resorts and charming coastal towns like Otaru.
How to get there: Scoot and Singapore Airlines offer seasonal direct flights to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport.
3. Hiroshima: The one with all the history
Hiroshima, location of the World War II atomic bombing, offers a moving experience for history lovers, with landmarks like the Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which commemorate the city’s resilience and dedication to peace. These days, its streets are packed with gift shops and restaurants doling out special Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (a type of savoury pancake). A short ferry ride away is Miyajima Island, famous for the “floating” 12th-century Itsukushima Shrine, and a must-visit for its photogenic torii gate and sacred deer roaming the island.
How to get there: Singapore Airlines flies direct to Hiroshima Airport.
4. Nagoya: The one at the heart of everything
There’s plenty to see in Nagoya, from the beautifully restored Nagoya Castle (where you can take in the cityscape from atop its stone walls) to the innovative Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology (where you can view models of nearly every Toyota ever built, and go on a tour of how they’re made). But there’s lots to do outside the city, too: Nagoya’s location in the heart of Honshu island makes it easy to reach popular spots like Kyoto and Osaka by train, though our recommendation would be to head north to the nearby Japan Alps, for gorgeous scenery and Alpine air.
How to get there: Singapore Airlines flies direct to Chubu Centrair International Airport.
5. Okinawa: The one in the tropics
Okinawa feels a world away from mainland Japan, with a subtropical climate, beautiful beaches, and a distinct culture influenced by its history as the Ryukyu Kingdom – no wonder it’s better known as the Hawaii of Japan. Here, you can explore Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and check out one of the largest aquariums in the world, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. The island’s coral reefs and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life also make this a paradise for divers and snorkelers. Don’t forget to dig into Okinawan cuisine, which is distinctly different from other Japanese regions and includes dishes like goya champuru (bitter melon stir-fry) and umibudo (sea grapes), washed down with awamori, the island’s signature distilled liquor.
How to get there: Jetstar Asia and Scoot fly direct to Naha Airport.
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