Japan: "Off-the-Beaten-Path" Recommendations?
Apr 7, 2019 13:27:54 #
johnh1944
Loc: North Las Vegas
If you are going to travel by Train, I suggest you buy a Rail Pass here before you go. It will save you $$$.
Apr 7, 2019 13:50:06 #
As well as the places above Takayama is lovely, obviously the Golden Temple is great as is Himeji where one of the Bond films was set.
I second the suggestion of Hiroshima and if you stay overnight you can take a local train to Miyajima Island, I've never seem so many shrines in one place and you will see many photo opportunities there.
I second the suggestion of Hiroshima and if you stay overnight you can take a local train to Miyajima Island, I've never seem so many shrines in one place and you will see many photo opportunities there.
Apr 7, 2019 13:50:39 #
Apr 7, 2019 15:50:34 #
PurpleHaze204
Loc: North Potomac, MD
I second the trip to Myajima Island. Great photography, monkeys and deer roam wild, and spectacular views. Have good hiking shoes as the climb to the summit is strenuous. And absolutely visit Himeji, it's incredible. For off the beaten trail, consider a trip to Matsue on the north coast. Interesting castle and great sunset views over the Sea of Japan.
Apr 7, 2019 16:44:24 #
For going remote, best if you rent a car, and drive from Osaka over to Shikoku Island.
Shikoku is the least inhabited of the four main islands of Japan, and full of amazing cultural and scenic places, most notably the 88 temples of the "Shikoku Hachijūhakkasho" - a route that pilgrims take to hike to all of the temples (takes 2-3 months). The temples themselves are pretty cool (I lived near temple #23), and the pilgrims waling along ther roadside in their white smoks, walking sticks, and pointed hats make for interesting photos. There's literally thousands of temples and shrines in the area: I mean it, they are everywhere. The town where I lived (Kaifu), has a 700 year old buddhist temple that is incredibly beautiful, and the head monk speaks English.
The island if also full of waterfalls (Todoroki Falls has an amazing hike where you pass by 7 amazing waterfalls, takes about 90 minutes), rivers, beaches, surfing, coastline, and hardly any foreign tourists. Amazing seafood, fishermen, local festivals, some of the biggest insects I've ever seen, tons of birds, and if you're there in April, you're likely to be there for the Cherry Blossom blume (Sakura). You might be there when the fireflies start coming out as well.
Oh, and stunning sunrises on the East-facing shores, amazing sunsets on the Western-facing side.
Tokushima is the main city, but Kochi has a cool castle and feels less industrial.
Be sure to look up the Monet gardens outside of Kochi if you make it that far.
I lived there for 2 years, loved the isolation and tranquility, and for what you've described, I would think Shikoku would be the best fit for what you're looking for... just bear in mind that you're going to Japan in what is usually the rainy season: and in the more northern parts, it could still be snowing.
Truth be told, it was during my time in Kaifu, Tokushima that I first got involved in photography, and it has become my passion: I credit the scenery and wildlife of Shikoku with my first photographic inspirations.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to DM me.
Enjoy your trip!
Shikoku is the least inhabited of the four main islands of Japan, and full of amazing cultural and scenic places, most notably the 88 temples of the "Shikoku Hachijūhakkasho" - a route that pilgrims take to hike to all of the temples (takes 2-3 months). The temples themselves are pretty cool (I lived near temple #23), and the pilgrims waling along ther roadside in their white smoks, walking sticks, and pointed hats make for interesting photos. There's literally thousands of temples and shrines in the area: I mean it, they are everywhere. The town where I lived (Kaifu), has a 700 year old buddhist temple that is incredibly beautiful, and the head monk speaks English.
The island if also full of waterfalls (Todoroki Falls has an amazing hike where you pass by 7 amazing waterfalls, takes about 90 minutes), rivers, beaches, surfing, coastline, and hardly any foreign tourists. Amazing seafood, fishermen, local festivals, some of the biggest insects I've ever seen, tons of birds, and if you're there in April, you're likely to be there for the Cherry Blossom blume (Sakura). You might be there when the fireflies start coming out as well.
Oh, and stunning sunrises on the East-facing shores, amazing sunsets on the Western-facing side.
Tokushima is the main city, but Kochi has a cool castle and feels less industrial.
Be sure to look up the Monet gardens outside of Kochi if you make it that far.
I lived there for 2 years, loved the isolation and tranquility, and for what you've described, I would think Shikoku would be the best fit for what you're looking for... just bear in mind that you're going to Japan in what is usually the rainy season: and in the more northern parts, it could still be snowing.
Truth be told, it was during my time in Kaifu, Tokushima that I first got involved in photography, and it has become my passion: I credit the scenery and wildlife of Shikoku with my first photographic inspirations.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to DM me.
Enjoy your trip!
Apr 7, 2019 17:17:52 #
Maybe not exactly OFF the beaten track, but hidden far enough away that many visitors to Japan miss it: The Great Floating Torii Gate on Miyajima island near Hiroshima. The picture attached shows it at low tide, I would have loved to be there at high tide with no people around, but if the waters are not calm, you might not get a reflection.
In Kyoto you will definitely be ON the beaten track, but there are over 1600+ temples and shrines, making it it is very hard to come up with a good choice. I have visited Kyoto as number of times over the last 50 years (while I lived down in Hong Kong as well as on other trips), and have always included the Zen Buddhist temple Kinkakyu-ji, commonly called the Golden Pavilion. A stroll in this garden is just wonderful. But for the first time in late 2017, I visited the Tofuky-ji Temple. This was at the time of autumn foliage and the colors in the valley were just astounding. But what I also enjoyed, and this is good at any time of the year, is the wonderful Dry Landscape Garden (with raked gravel), see picture above. I suggest you look this place up to see if it fits into your interests.
Good luck in your planning!
In Kyoto you will definitely be ON the beaten track, but there are over 1600+ temples and shrines, making it it is very hard to come up with a good choice. I have visited Kyoto as number of times over the last 50 years (while I lived down in Hong Kong as well as on other trips), and have always included the Zen Buddhist temple Kinkakyu-ji, commonly called the Golden Pavilion. A stroll in this garden is just wonderful. But for the first time in late 2017, I visited the Tofuky-ji Temple. This was at the time of autumn foliage and the colors in the valley were just astounding. But what I also enjoyed, and this is good at any time of the year, is the wonderful Dry Landscape Garden (with raked gravel), see picture above. I suggest you look this place up to see if it fits into your interests.
Good luck in your planning!
Great Floating Torii Gate at Miyajima island
(Download)
Zen Buddhist temple Kinkaku-ji aka the Golden Pavilion
(Download)
Karesansui Dry Landscape Garden at Tofuky-ji Temple
(Download)
Apr 7, 2019 20:25:16 #
Nikko is an absolute must. It's about an hour from Tokyo by train. The Japanese have a saying, "never say magnificent until you've seen Nikko."
Tokogawa, who unified Japan, instructed his son's that they should have a shrine for him and that the warlords should compete to build the grandest monument there. This would keep them poor and close to the court, so they could be watched closely. That shrine is at Nikko.
Tokogawa, who unified Japan, instructed his son's that they should have a shrine for him and that the warlords should compete to build the grandest monument there. This would keep them poor and close to the court, so they could be watched closely. That shrine is at Nikko.
Apr 7, 2019 21:20:03 #
marquina
Loc: Richmond, Virginia
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One town that most people miss is Narita. It's a shame because, most people arrive and/or depart from the Narita airport, but don't enjoy the old town Narita. I always plan on spending 2 days in Narita before I return to the States. Make sure you visit the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (free). The temple is very nice and the gardens are quite large, including 3 lakes. Excellent photo opportunities there.
Apr 7, 2019 22:05:00 #
Just spent 18 months on a sailboat cruising & cycling Japan. If I had to recommend just one place outside Tokyo & Kyoto it would be Hiroshima & Miyajima (Itsukushima Jinja) which is a cheap short ferry ride from Hiroshima. If you had a week to wander about then it would be Miyajima Prefecture in SE Kyushu. Google what's there - unbelievable variety, beauty, history & culture (& Nagasaki is not so far off - the 21 temple walk back of the city there is incredible); trains are a snap everywhere but with a car it's dead easy as well - we had no trouble with road signs or in-car nav - all very simple.
Apr 7, 2019 23:13:03 #
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