Returning to Japan: Where to Go Beyond the Classics

A first visit to the country often follows a familiar and rewarding route: Tokyo’s energy, the calm of Hakone, Kyoto’s temples and gardens. It’s an itinerary that works for a reason. However, for many travellers, Japan encourages return visits. 

What often comes next is a desire to see a different side of the country. One that feels slower, more regional and more deeply connected to ancient and sophisticated craft, landscape and interesting everyday life. This is where second and third journeys come into their own.

Below are a few of the regions we often recommend once you’ve travelled to the country’s so-called highlights.

Kanazawa & the Japanese Alps

Often described as “Kyoto without the crowds”, Kanazawa is better understood on its own terms. The city has a strong artistic heritage, from gold leaf craftsmanship to refined regional cuisine, and one of Japan’s most impressive landscape gardens.

Kanazawa also works as a natural gateway to the Japanese Alps, where rural towns, mountain scenery and traditional ryokan offer a slower counterpoint to Japan’s major cities. This region is particularly appealing for those interested in architecture and seasonal food culture.

Travel here feels grounded and elegant, with a sense of continuity between past and present that is less performative than in Japan’s most visited cities.

We have a thoughtfully designed itinerary that pairs Kanazawa with the Japanese Alps, allowing time to experience both the city and its surrounding landscapes.

Koyasan & Sacred Landscapes

 

For travellers drawn to Japan’s spiritual traditions, Koyasan offers a rare opportunity to stay overnight within a temple complex. Set high in the forested mountains south of Osaka, it is the heart of Shingon Buddhism and remains an active religious centre.

Evenings are quiet and contemplative, with simple vegetarian meals and early mornings marked by prayer. A walk through Okunoin Cemetery, particularly in low light, is one of the most atmospheric experiences in the country.

Koyasan is not about sightseeing in the conventional sense. It is about stepping briefly into a different rhythm of life, one that prioritises stillness and reflection.

Our Japan itineraries include a considered route that weaves Koyasan into a wider journey through central Honshu.

Kurashiki & the Seto Inland Sea

Kurashiki, in Okayama Prefecture, offers one of Japan’s most beautifully preserved historic quarters. White-walled merchant houses line narrow canals, willow trees soften the streetscape and the pace feels almost deliberately unhurried.

The town works particularly well as part of a wider journey through the Seto Inland Sea, an area known for its calm waters, gentle island landscapes and strong artistic tradition. 

Naoshima, with its carefully placed contemporary art installations and architecture, is the best-known of these islands, but it is the wider sense of space and light that stays with travellers.

This part of Japan feels thoughtful rather than showy. Days are shaped by small museums, ferry crossings and simple meals that reflect the region’s produce. It suits travellers who value atmosphere over constant movement.

You can find a carefully paced itinerary that combines Kurashiki with the Seto Inland Sea islands on our Japan destination page.

Why these regions work for a return visit to Japan

Travelling beyond Japan’s best-known cities allows space for a different kind of engagement. Transport slows, interactions feel more personal and the distinction between visitor and local life becomes less pronounced.

These regions also pair well with the classics. A few days in Tokyo or Kyoto followed by time in Kanazawa, Kurashiki or Naoshima creates contrast without feeling disjointed. The journey becomes more layered and often more memorable.

Importantly, these itineraries benefit from careful pacing and local knowledge. Knowing where to stay, how long to linger and how to move between regions makes a significant difference.

Several of our suggested Japan itineraries are designed specifically with repeat visitors in mind, balancing familiar highlights with lesser-visited regions.

Planning your next journey to Japan

The first six itineraries on our Japan page explore many of these regions in greater depth and reflect our most up-to-date thinking on how to travel through the country well.

If you are considering a return to Japan and would like to explore a more off-beat route, our specialists would be happy to talk through the possibilities and shape an itinerary that reflects how you like to travel.

Contact the team at info@ampersandtravel.com.