Off-the-Beaten Path Japan: Insider’s Guide

Trusted Travel Expert

Wendy Will Advise You

In some cases, Wendy has several trip-planning specialists she recommends for a destination and would like to connect with you directly to determine who would best meet your needs. This is one of those cases. Please click on the CONTACT button (below) to find out from Wendy which travel expert is best for your specific trip goals and challenges.

Contact Wendy

Read Trip Reviews

HOW WE HELP YOU

• Tell us about the trip you want

  
  

  The more detail, the better we can help you.

  •Do you have an itinerary in mind? Where do you want to go, or are you looking for ideas?
  

  •Who are you traveling with? (If kids, what are their ages?)
  

  •What are your biggest concerns or things you want to avoid?
  

  •What’s your biggest goal for this trip? What would make it most memorable?

• Tell us your trip goals. IMPORTANT: Local inflation has soared in some countries, so check Wendy’s Pricing Tip: On mobile, scroll down to just above the photo. On desktop, look to the right.*

• Getting there and around

  
  

  Where are you flying from? Have you booked your airline travel? If so, tell us the dates and routing. If not, how long a flight are you comfortable with? Once you’re at your destination, how do you envision exploring it—e.g., rental car? public transit? private vehicle with English-speaking driver or guide/expediter with top connections and special access?

• Tell us your flight dates/route and local transportation preferences (if you know these already).*
• 
  

  Staying there

  
  

  Do you have a type of accommodations in mind (e.g., 4-star, 5-star, historic inn, state-of-the-art resort, family villa. private yacht, small expedition ship)? Is there a past hotel experience you’re seeking something similar to? If you have already booked accommodations, let us know.

• Tell us about the places you’ve stayed in that you’ve liked, and what you would like now.*
• Estimated Trip Start Date (Including the Year)*
• Estimated Trip Length (in Days)*
• Total Trip Budget (in U.S. dollars, excluding airfare):*
  
  How much do you want to spend for a WOW-caliber trip (incl. rooms, vehicles, excursions, meals, unique experiences, and the savviest drivers/guides/expediters to spare you headaches and wasted time)? Your answer will dictate the locations, trip dates, and experiences we will suggest.
  Please select (in USD):More than $75K$50K to $75K$35,000 to $50,000$25,000 to $35,000$20,000 to $25,000$15,000 to $20,000$10,000 to $15,000Other (this will open a new box you can write in)
• REMINDER: Local inflation has soared in some countries, so check Wendy’s Pricing Tip above the trip planner's photo.
• Tell us about your travel budget*

• Where should we send your personalized recommendation?

• First Name*
• Last Name*
• If you’d like this trip to count toward a WOW Moment, use the same email address you’ve used to submit trip requests to WendyPerrin.com in the past.*
  Enter Email Confirm Email
  If you’d like this trip to count toward a WOW Moment, use the same email address you’ve used to submit trip requests to WendyPerrin.com in the past.
• Phone
• Have you used a WOW List travel specialist before? If so, who?*
  • Yes
  • No
• Name of travel specialist(s) you've used
• Do you have a WOW Moment certificate you’d like to use? If so, please enter the first four digits of the certificate number. Qualifying rules apply for certificate redemption.
• First 4 digits only
• How did you hear about Wendy?*
  Please selectCondé Nast TravelerTown & CountryThe Wall Street JournalThe New York TimesTripAdvisorFriends or colleaguesA travel professionalGoogle searchSocial mediaI’ve followed Wendy’s advice for years

• If you do not receive an email confirmation of your trip request from info@wendyperrin.com and you have checked your spam folder, let us know: questions@wendyperrin.com.

• Phone
  This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

Things to Do and See

Most underrated place
Kakunodate has a very well-preserved samurai district, with many of the houses still owned by the same families (and the samurai costumes and swords on display). The quaint town’s little alleyways are quite walkable, and it’s one of the best sakura (cherry blossom) viewing places in Japan, as it’s far enough off the grid that it doesn’t get crowded. At Kakunodate’s sake brewery, Hideyoshi, a member of the family can show you how the beverage has been made there for 19 generations.

Most overrated places
Ryoanji, a rock garden temple in Kyoto; because it’s always very crowded, it lacks that Zen feeling.

Osaka Castle is a famous historical landmark originally built in the 16th century, but what’s there now is just a concrete reconstruction.

Kinkakuji, an extremely popular Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, is too crowded to be enjoyable. There are probably 50 other temples in that city alone where you won’t find another Westerner.

The agricultural area of Hirosaki is famous for its intact castle—rather than a reproduction like you might see elsewhere. Photo: Global Nomad

Hidden gems
Near the southernmost border of Japan, Yakushima Island is absolutely gorgeous, and much slower-paced than the rest of the country. There are beautiful hiking trails through the island’s pristine rainforest (part of which is a UNESCO reserve), and artisans in the sleepy village practice centuries-old traditions of lacquerware, pottery, woodworking, and other crafts.

Hirosaki is possibly the best cherry blossom spot in Japan: There are virtually no tourists in this entire prefecture, and it has a nice concentration of cherry trees, which rain their petals down on the walking trails come spring. This agricultural area is famous for its juicy pears, and there’s an intact castle (not a reproduction), beautiful temples, and a well-preserved samurai district.

How to spend a lazy Sunday
Strolling around the Roppongi Hills complex in Tokyo, including the beautiful Mori Garden, and the nearby Azabu-Juban residential area, which feels like a village within this huge metropolis. This area is great for shopping and also people-watching, as many Japanese families come here on Sundays.

Cherry blossoms in Japan. Photo: Global Nomad

Where to Stay and What to Eat

Best-value splurge hotel
Chikusenso, set in a forest at the foot of gorgeous Mt. Zao in Tohoku, has larger rooms (even at the entry level) than you’ll find in most comparable onsen resorts, and the rates—while certainly a splurge—include a traditional Japanese breakfast and kaiseki dinner. Unlike many other top ryokans that have fused Eastern and Western standards and ambiance, Chikusenso is very authentic and traditional—a true cultural immersion. It’s rare to find such total seclusion in the wilderness combined with luxurious amenities and exquisite service.

Chikusenso, set in a forest at the foot of gorgeous Mt. Zao in Tohoku, has larger rooms (even at the entry level) than you’ll find in most comparable onsen resorts.

The Peninsula Tokyo: The service is flawless—everyone speaks very good English—and the views of Tokyo’s skyline are amazing. It’s a stone’s throw from the Imperial Palace gardens and a short walk from the Ginza shopping area, but its location in the financial district makes it a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle at night. By Tokyo standards, even the least expensive Superior Rooms are spacious, at almost 550 square feet.

Dish to try
Find a place that serves only one dish—whether it’s ramen, tempura, or grilled eel—and you’re sure to have an enjoyable meal. Oftentimes, these hole-in-the-wall restaurants have been perfecting the recipe for more than 75 years.

Ask Wendy