For 1st-time travellers, Tokyo, Hokkaido and Hakone are some of the most popular destinations in Japan. But if you’re long used to the cityscape and sights of towering buildings, why not break out of your comfort zone by exploring the history behind Japan’s intimate connection with nature?
Check out these five destinations for your next trip - we even dropped in some recommended activities for you. Find some time to reconnect with nostalgic childhood retreats and relaxing sights that will soothe your soul.
1. Yokohama
Map Location
In the morning: cup noodle museum
Relive your college days here at the Cup Noodle Museum! What was first invented by Ando Momofuku to stave off hunger during the post-war period turned into an icon of convenience all over the world - from students to working adults, we’ve all been accompanied by our steaming hot sidekick while trudging through reports at 2am in the morning.
Bring home your unique creation with the “create-a-cup-noodle” section, where you can choose the kind of noodles you want and decorate it with the various garnishes and seasoning.
Cup Noodles Museum
Address: 2-3-4 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Price: from 5 USD
Access: 10-minute walk from Minato Mirai Station
Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm (last admission at 5pm), closed on Tuesday
Contact: +81 45-345-091
Bashamichi shopping avenue
Head over to the Bashamichi shopping avenue for some souvenir shopping for your loved ones. Lined with stores selling accessories and local snacks, you can bring home something for both the fashionista and foodies in your family. Take a trip into the narrow alleyways - you may find yourselves in the presence of grand buildings built during the Meiji era.
Bashamichi Shopping Avenue
Address: Tokiwa-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City
Price: from 6 USD
Access: 15 minutes away from Kannai Station
Opening Hours: Varies from store to store
Contact: +81 45-641-4068
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
In the afternoon: Nanjya Monjya treehouse cafè
Editor’s Note: Establishment is permanently closed.
Have a swing up the treetops here at Nanjya Monjya Treehouse Cafè, where you can relive your childhood memories of building a secret base that no one knows about. Enjoy sweet treats such as the French bagel drizzled with a fresh coat of honey and chewy mochis that will leave you craving for more!
Nanjya Monjya Cafè
Address: 5-55 Mitsuzawa Higashimachi, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 10 minutes away from Mitsuzawa-Shimocho Station
Opening Hours:12pm - 5:30pm, Mon-Sat
Foodies unite: Chinatown
A must-see is Japan’s largest Chinatown here in Yokohama. The bustling streets are lined with eateries serving up authentic servings of Chinese cuisine - the steamed buns and dim sum delights are great for an afternoon snack! If you’re not used to the strong flavours, try the tasteful fusion of ramen noodles cooked in traditional Chinese broth for a snazzy lunch.
Yokohama Chinatown
Address: Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 8 minutes away from Motomachi-Chukagai Station
Opening Hours: Varies by shop and restaurant
Contact: +8145-662-1252
In the evening: take a night stroll at Minato Mirai 21
Located in the central business area, Minato Mirai 21 is the hub for all of your entertainment. Take a stroll while admiring the beautiful skyline, or jam out to your favourite hits at the club. No matter what you like, you can definitely find a way to unwind here after a long day of travelling.
Minato Mirai 21
Access: Get off at Yokohama Minato Mirai Station
2. Kamakura
Map Location
In the morning: Pay your respects at the Tsuroka Hachimangu Shrine
Built in dedication to the God of War, Hachiman, the Tsuroka Hachimangu Shrine is one of Kamakura’s most visited shrine. Be sure to take part in the many festivities here - the most exciting event happens during mid-April and mid-September, where the act of horseback archery (yabusame) is performed in the main area of the shrine.
Tsuroka Hachimangu Shrine
Address: 2-1-31 Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Price: Free
Access: 10-15-minute walk away from Kamakura Station
Opening Hours: 5am to 9pm (from 6pm from October to March) Admission ends 30 minutes before closing
In the afternoon: Sasuke Inari Shrine and Hidden Village
After visiting the bustling shrines, head over to the Sasuke Inari Shrine for a touch of peace. Legend has it that Yoritomo, the first shogun of Kamakura, was visited by an old man in his dream. Upon receiving guidance from an ancient Inari God (fox spirit) about the upcoming war he was about to fight, he built the shrine dedicated to the spirit after winning the fateful battle. Perhaps you, too, will be struck with a wave of inspiration from the ancient spirits dwelling in the stone statues and moss-covered offerings.
Sasuke Inari Shrine and Hidden Village
Address: 2-22-12 Sasuke, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 20 minutes from Kamakura Station
In the afternoon: shopping at Komachi-dori
Don a kimono from the many rental stores available as you pick out traditional Kamakura souvenirs along the busy streets of Komachi-dori. Choose a new incense for your next yoga session, and fill up your tummy with the sweet delights of the Kamakura Mameya - bright-coloured bean shaped snacks made using healthy ingredients such as peanuts, soy beans, and peas.
Find more details from Komachi Street Top10 Food Gude
Komachi-dori
Address: Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 1-minute walk from the East exit of JR Kamakura Station
In the evening: Head over to Enoshima
If you’ve been enjoying the abundance of nature today, take a day trip down to Enoshima on the Enoden about 45 minutes away. Blessed with beautiful sights of high sea cliffs and hawks that circle the skies, it feels almost detached from the metropolitan Japan that we know of. For the lovebirds madly in love, pay a visit to the love bell facing the sea. Make a wish for a better future as you ring the bell together, and write your messages to each other on padlocks, securing your love for each other with a key.
Enoshima Island
Address: Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: Take the private Odakyu line from Shinjuku to Fujisawa (54 minutes with the kaisoku-kyūkō (快速急行) or 66 minutes via kyūkō (急行), then change to the Enoden train.
3. Toyama
Map Location
In the morning: Five-Hundred Buddhist Arhats at Chokei-Ji Zen Temple
Pay a visit to the 500 Buddhist arhats that line the walkway of Chokei-Ji Temple. Each of them has a different posture and facial expression, representing those who have achieved enlightenment. Sculpted over a span of 50 years, these statues have seen Toyama change across centuries, and is a sight you definitely don’t want to miss.
Chokei-ji Temple
Address: 1882, Goso, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
Price: Free
Contact: +81 76-441-5451
In the afternoon: quick lunch at Sushidama at Toyama station
The convenient location and high-quality yet affordable sushi is what makes Sushidama a crowd favourite! Grab an onigiri on the go if you’re rushing off, or stay and savour the fresh sashimi and glass prawns rolled with chewy white rice.
Sushidama
Address: 1-220 Meirincho | Toya Marche, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
Access: Toyama Train Station
Price: from 4 USD
Contact: +81 76-471-8127
At night: take a stroll down Yatsuo no Machinami
Historical houses of this grandeur are a common sight here in the Yatsuo Suwa walk. Take some time at night walking down the rustic streets lit up with paper lanterns, and the plethora of local eateries offering a decent serving of cold soba on a warm summer night.
Yatsuo Suwa Walk
Address: Yatsuomachi Suwamachi, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
Access: 30-minute walk from JR Ecchu Yatsuo Station
4. Hida-Takayama
Map Location
In the morning: live like a local at Hida Folk Village
The Hida Folk Village is a unique open-air museum featuring over 30 traditional houses built during the historical Edo period. Take a trip back in time by spending a peaceful morning here, admiring the variety of buildings such as the former village chief’s house, log cabins and storage huts.
Hida Folk Village
Address: 590 Kamiokamotomachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Price: from 7 USD
Opening Hours: 8:30pm - 5pm
Contact: +81 577-34-4711
Head over to Shirakawa for more!
Famous for the traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, the name originated from the shape of the houses. Built like hands held in prayer, the steep roofs resemble the posture one takes up while praying, particularly Buddhist monks. Designed to hold up large amounts of snow during winter, the roofs are sturdy enough for the 4 seasons. Take a spin around the paddy fields and try to fit in - the slow pace of life here may unsettle you at first, but soon enough, you will learn to relax like them!
Shirakawa-go
Address: Shirakawa-Village, Ohno-District, Gifu Prefecture
Access: Take a bus from in front of JR Takayama station, 1-hour ride away
Price: One-way ticket costs 2,470 JPY (22 USD) and a return ticket is 4,420 JPY (40 USD) from JR Takayama Station to Shirakawa-Go
In the afternoon: Visit the Hida Great Limestone Cave
Stop by the Hida Limestone Cave, which was fully submerged in water until a couple of thousand years before. After getting eroded by water with carbonic acid, the cave started eating into itself over the centuries, forming beautiful ice formations illuminated with colourful man-made lights - a stunning display of Mother Nature’s work.
Hida Great Limestone Cave
Address: 1147 Nyukawacho Hiyomo, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Price: from 5 USD
Opening Hours: 9am - 4pm
At night: dinner at Ajikura Tengoku
After a long day of exploring, indulge in what Hida-Takayama is best known for - the tender Hida Beef! At Ajikura Tengoku, the beef is known to be costly, but the juicy beef that melts right in your mouth makes it worth it. Try making your own dipping sauces - mash the chili and garlic together, and top it off with a drizzle of vinegar for a touch of savoury goodness.
Ajikura Tengoku
Address: 4-147, Hanasatomachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Price: from 28 USD
Opening Hours: 11am - 2pm / 5pm - 9pm
Contact: +81 577-37-1129
5. Kanazawa
Map Location
In the morning: explore the Higashi Chaya district
The largest out of the other three teahouse districts, the Higashi Chaya district used to be part of the entertainment districts where geishas would perform for guests. Although now they are more uncommon, you can still take a look at the costumes and instruments used by the geishas at the various tea houses open to the public here.
Higashi Chaya
Address: Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: Take the right loop of the Kanazawa loop bus in about 10 minutes from Kanazawa Station. Get off at Hashibacho bus stop (number RL5), and take a 5-minute walk to the district.
Take a spin in the ninja temple
Although not directly associated with ninjas, the Myoryuji Temple earned its nickname of a ninja temple with the many trapdoors that hide underground tunnels and secret rooms meant to ambush attackers. Tours are available in Japanese, with English translations available on guidebooks.
Myoryuji Ninja Temple
Address: 1-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: Take the left loop of the Kanazawa loop bus that is 15 minutes to Hirokoji bus stop (bus stop number LL5) and you can walk to the temple in about five minutes.
Price: from 7 USD
Opening Hours: 9am - 4:30pm
Contact: +81 76-241-0888
In the afternoon: unleash your creativity by making your own art
A handmade gift speaks volumes about sincerity - bring home trinkets signed with your name with the famed Kanazawa gold lacquer with this half-day tour on GoVoyagin! Not only do you get to indulge in a steaming hot cup of green tea at some of the best tea houses here in Kanazawa, at the end of your tour, you will even get a miniature Samurai armour to bring home as a memento - pretty nifty, don’t you think? Find out more about the tour below.
Kanazawa Tour
At night: visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
To wrap up your amazing day, allow your mind to be boggled by the quirky displays of art here at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Built with the intention to portray contemporary artworks from all over the world, you can find many underground and independent artists who have their works on display here. The ever-changing exhibition ensures a fresh perspective no matter when you visit, so be sure to pop by and take a look.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: 1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Access: Take a bus from Kanazawa Station (East Exit) to Hirosaka bus stop (10 minutes away), and you will be steps away from the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
Price: from 11 USD
Opening Hours: Exhibition Zone :10am - 6pm , On Fridays and Saturdays, open until 8pm Public Zone :9am - 10pm
What are you waiting for?
If you’re intrigued by the creative sights and scenic views of North-Eastern Japan, then start planning for your next trip here! The humble locals will make you feel right at home with a good old brew of traditional green tea.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
Enjoy Japan's Beauty At These Marvellous Hotels In Kanazawa!Trip101 Editorial -
10 Yokohama Hotels With The Best Night Views!Trip101 Editorial -
-
54 Fun Things To Do In JapanHridya -
-
-
-
-
-
-
10 Themed Cafes In Osaka, JapanSudarsana
Create an account to