Japan is full of hidden gems. Having stayed at many different prefectures, here are my top 5 most underrated towns you may not have heard of!
1. Mukaijima
Naturally, I have to start off the list with my current place of residence, the beautiful countryside town Mukaijima. Located on the outskirts of Kyoto’s main city center (10km from Kyoto station), the town is nestled between mountains and farmlands with the beautiful Uji River flowing in and around the area.
2. Nishinari
Known as the “slum” of Osaka just around the corner from the notorious Shinsekai, Nishinari is a small little town that is highly underrated because of its reputation as a somewhat “dangerous area.”
Having spent a month in a budget hostel right in the heart of Nishinari, my experience was that the people were absolutely welcoming and there was a real sense of community in the area.
Of course, there’s the odd fellow here and there given the low socio-economic state of the town, but everyone keeps to themselves for the most part and there are plenty of cheap eats to explore!
3. Shin-Okubo
We’ve all heard of the iconic Shinjuku, one of the busiest cities in Japan if not the world, but you may not have heard of its little sibling next door Shin-Okubo. Just one stop from Shinjuku, it is known as Japan’s “Korea town” for its large Korean population that has resulted in many Korean restaurants, grocery stores, and K-pop-themed cafes.
You can also find other multicultural streets including Indian, Pakistani, and Arabian areas where you can access international cuisines and halal food options. In addition, Shin-Okubo is home to one of my favorite parks in all of Japan, Toyama Park, one of the best places in Tokyo for seeing the majestic autumn leaves.
4. Kitakyushu
Further down south on Japan’s Kyushu island is the stunning seaside town of Kitakyushu in the Fukuoka prefecture, featuring many interesting attractions.
Home to the iconic Kokura Castle, ChaCha Town, and my personal favorite Adachi Cemetery, the area is full of amazing landmarks that you don’t typically see on Japan travel itineraries.
Kitakyushu is also home to beautiful natural wonders such as Mt. Komonji where you can hike up to the top and enjoy spectacular views of the entire city and surrounding oceans.
5. Sagamihara
Last but certainly not least is a town in Kanagawa prefecture called Sagamihara, known for its iconic vending machine park that unsurprisingly attracts people from outside of Japan.
Other than that, there isn’t much else to the town as it’s something of an industrious area bustling with trucks and tire shops. Nevertheless, walking through Sagamihara with the sunset view of the mountains was a spectacular sight that I’ll never forget!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
