If you spend time on social media then you’re definitely aware of the phenomenon of people feeling like their friends are either in Japan or Italy at all times. It seems that everyone is travelling to one of these destinations (and posting a lot of pictures from the places they visit as well), with Japan in particular experiencing a major surge in popularity at the moment. It is not difficult to see why, since the country offers an eclectic mix of tradition and futurism that few other places have nailed down. Japan is also focused on highlighting the seasonal beauty of its surroundings, has a unique, high-quality, and world-renowned cuisine, and gives you the opportunity to see unique landscapes and landmarks.
There are several spots that are on everyone’s bucket list, such as Shibuya, Higashiyama, Mount Fuji, and Himeji castle. And while there’s no denying the beauty of these areas, if you happen to travel when the tourist season is at its peak, then you’ll have to deal with very large crowds, and your experience may suffer. You don’t want to go back home feeling like you traveled for no reason at all. Luckily, there’s no shortage of places to explore and experiences to have that can be found off the beaten path.
Vampire Café
Tokyo’s Vampire café can be found in Ginza, a Gothic-inspired paradise that will draw you in right away if you are a fan of retro horror movies. The interiors are clad in red velvet, and the floors are a similar crimson color as well. Even the menu has a sense of the macabre since the dishes are garnished with skulls and come under names such as “The Earl’s Tamed Dark Poison Spider” (a dessert made of an assortment of different kinds of ice cream) or “Tombstone of the Victims Sleeping on the Hill of Despair” (which is a tiramisu).
Omoide Yokocho
Omoide Yokocho is a nostalgic alleyway filled with Japanese izakayas and an amazing selection of traditional street foods. It allows you to feel cosy in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a huge metropolis such as Tokyo, an atmosphere that is impossible to manufacture and which has to happen organically. Since the place has such a unique look (reminiscent of the cyberpunk cult classic Blade Runner for many who visit it), you shouldn’t leave home before you get an eSIM for your travel to Japan, since you’ll definitely want to share the pictures you take here with everyone back home.
Omoide Yokocho is known for its yakitori and nikomi, chicken skewers and beef tendon stews, served with cheap drinks. If you’re more adventurous with your culinary tastes, you can visit Asadachi, a bar serving delicacies such as fried frogs and salamanders.
Kumano Kodo
If you’re more of a fan of the great outdoors and want to do some hiking and exploring while you’re in Japan, you should definitely give the Kumano Kodo a shot. It offers both the chance to escape in a natural environment as well as the opportunity to take a glimpse into Japan’s ancient history. The route is made of a series of ancient pilgrimages, having held religious significance for over a thousand years. Peasants and emperors alike would walk the path, guided by Shugendo monks. The road will take you deep into Japan’s forests and you will get a chance to see the ancient onsen at Yunomine, walk the steep cobblestones on Ogumotori-goe, and see Mount Koya.
The Kumano Kodo is also well-known because those who manage to complete both it and the Camino de Santiago in Spain earn the title of “Dual Pilgrim” as the two are the only pilgrimage routes that are UNESCO-listed.
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Japan is home to around 80,000 Buddhist temples and about 100,000 Shinto shrines, meaning that there’s no shortage of places of worship across the country. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is one of the lesser-known ones, which is a pity because it is a truly magnificent place. Situated in Kyoto at the top of a hill, it is surrounded by thousands of stone sculptures. Since it is often not bombarded by huge crowds, it is truly the best place to be if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.
The original temple, dating back to the 8th century, was decimated by a typhoon in the 1950s and the current location was built in a safer location. As the new building was created stone carvings were added as well. The town people contributed as well, so that the work of the priest who worked to rebuild is now mixed with that of all the people who lived in the area. The fact that the statues (all of them depicting Buddha’s disciples meditating with serene expressions on their faces) are covered in moss makes the temple a contemplative, peaceful oasis.
Harukor
You’ve definitely heard and perhaps even know plenty about Japanese cuisine already. Coming to Japan and not eating the traditional foods the locals have been making for centuries seems almost sacrilegious. But how about trying something different, which is still unmistakably tied to Japan? Enter Harukor, an Ainu restaurant serving northern Japanese fare. The Ainu are an indigenous group from Hokkaido who have their unique language, spirituality, art, and traditions.
Their cuisine is not well-known, but if you’re curious, you should definitely give it a try. Just like Japanese food the dishes and ingredients are marked by seasonality and locally-available produce. One of the staples is ohaw, a salmon and wild vegetable soup. Venison and tempura made from wild lilies can also be found on the menu. The ingredients are sourced directly from Hokkaido, with the menus containing descriptions and explanations regarding all elements of the dishes as well.
Visiting Japan is an experience in and of itself, and while there’s no denying the fact that visiting the popular landmarks is an absolute must (they wouldn’t be popular if they had nothing to offer), you should know that there are many amazing things to see and do outside of them as well.
