Genn's blog

Escaping Tokyo: Off the beaten track in Japan

By: Genn on October 12, 2005 - 8:30am
There's more to Japan than Tokyo and Kyoto. :)
Here are some suggestions for 1-3 Day trips that will get you out of the cities and let you experience the country and culture.
Miyajima Island
This island is just a short train and ferry ride away from Hiroshima and deserves it's fame as one of the 3 most beautiful places in Japan.  It's home to some beautiful temples and alot of wild deer.  I was lucky enough to be there just as the fall leaves were turning colours and it was easily the most beautiful spot on the trip
Takayama
It's like a minature kyoto. There's an amazing traditional market place as well as an early morning farmers' market along the river. The Hida village is fun to ramble around and on some days you get the chance to meet people practicing traditional crafts.
Hakone
There's a Hakone free pass you can buy that allows you access to the Buses, ferries, trains, and cablecars in the area. The area is a great place to explore for a few days. The's an open air museum, the sulpher springs on a nearby mountain, a beautiful shrine in Hakone-machi, the ferries on lake Ashi-no-ko, and 2 possible views of Mt Fuji (weather permitting)
Naruko Onsen
Getting to Naruko is a little tricky (you have to leave the shinkansen lines and start travelling by local trains). But it's worth it: The hotsprings are marvellous.  There are some beautiful hiking trails, a wooden doll museum and several ski hills nearby.
Yamadera
This collection of temples is built on a mountain side in Yamagata prefecture. Climbing up is a little tough but the view is spectacular.  The area is also famous for a Haiku by Bashou: Stillness. Penetrating the Rocks. The voice of a Cicada.

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