Sugoi! The Best Hidden Gems for Tourists in Japan

It feels exciting to explore destinations that tourist rarely visit. It is because you can enjoy the beauty of the pristine nature untouched by a lot of visitors, especially if the destination is a hidden gem that can spoil your eyes like those you can find in Japan.

Instead of visiting famous tourist attractions, when you go on a holiday to the Land of the Rising Sun, try visiting the tourist attractions, which are hidden gems. It will be so much fun! Here are some of the hidden attractions:

Kayabuki No Sato Village

If you like watching anime, you must be familiar with villages in Japan  with beautiful views. Now, not only can you see them in the anime, but you can actually visit one of them directly. The place is called Kayabuki No Sato Village, located in Kyoto Prefecture. In this village, you can see traditional Japanese houses with hatched roofs.

Having a concept like a villa, the houses in this area are not only used as a tourist destination but are also homes for people who work and live in the village. In the winter, Kayabuki No Sato Village changes into a place like a fairy tale village that offers fantastic beauty. In addition, there is a Lantern Festival here, which will lighten up the village.

To visit the village, you can try either of the two accesses, namely by train via Hiyoshi Station and by bus via Takao. If you take a train, you can take the express train from Kyoto to Hiyoshi Station for ¥760 and it is about 45 minutes. Afterwards, you can take the Nantan Bus to Miyama for 50 minutes and the fare is ¥610. Some trains require you to transit at Sonobe and then you can take a bus.

If you use a bus, take the JR bus from Kyoto Station to Takao and then get off at Shuzan. It is about 90 minutes and the fare is ¥1,180. Then, take the Nantan Bus to Miyama for JPY 460, a 30-minute ride.

Takachiho Gorge

Located in Nishusuki County, Japan, Takachiho Gorge offers stunning natural scenery. According to the Japan Guide, Takachiho Gorge or Takachiho Canyon, is a narrow canyon that cuts through the rock on the bank of the Gokase River. The canyon is formed in a volcanic basalt rock, which at first glance resembles the scales of a dragon. In the middle of the canyon, there is a 17-meter waterfall.

Here, you can rent a rowing boat while enjoying the beauty of the canyon and the waterfall. The price of boat rental is around JPY 4,100 (Tuesday to Thursday) and JPY 5,100 (Friday to Monday and during the high season). You can also walk along the path surrounding the canyon area while viewing the river at the bottom. Only about one kilometer away, you can also see Takachiho Shrine.

Then, at the canyon’s southern end, you can also do other activities such as buying souvenirs, tasting delicious food, and seeing a freshwater aquarium. The best time to visit Takachiho Gorge is spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November). In the spring, you can see the blooming cheery blossoms, and in the autumn, you can enjoy the leaves turning red.

Are you interested in coming here? The Takachiho Gorge area is outside the city center, so you may need to take a taxi from Takachiho Station, which has a travel time of around 7 minutes. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle after getting off the Takachiho bus center.

Izu Peninsula Geopark

Surrounded by mountains with low to medium heights, Izu Peninsula Geopark is the only place on earth where two active volcanic arcs meet. This volcanic formation began 20 million years ago and created breathtaking natural landscapes along with the captivating cliffs that frame the coast.

As describned above, Izu Peninsula Geopark is surrounded by the towering mountains with varying heights. The highest mountain is called Mount Banzaburō, with a height of 1,405 meters. Since there is volcanic activity in this park, it has become one of the famous hot springs or Onsen tourist destinations in Japan.

In the park, you can also visit Mishima Shrine, Panorama Park which has a view of Mount Fuji, Dogashima Beach, Izu Chohachi Art Museum, Namako Walls Street, Irozaki Marine Park, and others. It is located in the southeastern part of Honshu Island. You can access the park via three routes: the Izu Dream Pass Koganeji by taking the Izukyu train (Ito or Shimoda); by bus (Shimoda, Matsuzaki, or Toi); and by ferry (Toi or Shimizu). The pass costs ¥3,700 and is valid for three days.

Then, the Wasabiji Izu Dream Pass, by the Izukyu train (Ito or Kawazu); by bus (Kawazu, Shuzenji, or Toi); and by ferry (Toi or Shimizu) which costs ¥3,900 and is valid for three days. And last, Izu Dream Pass Fujimiji, by the Izu-Hakone train (Mishima or Shuzenji); by bus (Shuzenji or Toi), and by ferry (Toi or Shimizu). The price is ¥2,800 and is only valid for two days.

Sugoi, isn't it? Let’s plan a holiday to these hidden gems in Japan! To feel safe, protect your trip with Travel Insurance to Japan from MSIG Indonesia. This insurance product will protect against accidents, medical costs, and discomfort while traveling.