5 Places Locals Want You to Visit in Japan

Japan offers endless surprises for travelers – especially when they venture off the beaten path. Which is why we asked five of our on-the-ground experts to share their favorite spots across the country. Their picks are places rich in culture, natural beauty and unique experiences that you might not find on the typical tourist track.

From the quiet slopes of Moiwa in Hokkaidō to the historic streets of the Tokyo neighborhood of Kagurazaka, discover Japan through the special places beloved by those who know the country best.

1. Aomori

Best for: Summer festivals and postcard-perfect picnics
When to visit: August, during the Nebuta Festival
Time from Tokyo: 3 hours via shinkansen
Best local food: Apples

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Why Aomori?

The northernmost prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshū, Aomori feels a world away from the hustle and grit of Tokyo. Green rice paddies stretch into the distance. Trees in orchards drip with red Fuji apples. And in summer, one of the country's biggest and most compelling festivals thunders through the streets.

Must-Do Activities in Aomori

In the center of the charming city of Hirosaki, a handsome castle is surrounded by a large park with generous expanses of green. Over 2000 cherry trees burst into cotton candy puffs in late April or early May – making the park one of the best places in Japan for a postcard-perfect picnic. The park also has a city museum and a lovely old garden with a teahouse serving yōshoku (Japanese-style Western food) and apple desserts crafted from (naturally) Aomori apples. At the north end of the park is Nebuta Village, a museum dedicated to the Nebuta Festival. This raucous summer celebration features enormous papier-mâché floats fashioned into fantastical creatures and heroes, lit with lanterns from within.

Aomori Tip

If you want to attend the Nebuta Festival, be sure to book far in advance. Hotels sell out months in advance, with remaining spiking to double or triple their normal cost.

— Selena Takigawa Hoy, Lonely Planet destination editor for northeast Asia.

2. Moiwa, Hokkaidō

Best for: Snowy adventures
When to visit: Ski season (December to February)
Time from Tokyo: 5–6 hours via a flight to Sapporo and car transfer
Best local food: Fresh-caught seafood

Why Visit Moiwa?

After working two winter seasons at the renowned ski resort Niseko, I fell in love with Mt Moiwa, a less-well-known spot just a few mountains away. A smaller and quieter mountain, Moiwa is popular with Japanese locals and backcountry adventurers. Sunrise is magical, as you step into the serene snowy expanse to be greeted with powdered peaks glowing in the distance. I often started my day with fresh, crisp mountain water, available at a public water station down the road. In the evenings, my colleagues and I would clock off and walk over to Izakaya Kobito, where we indulged in hearty bowls of ramen, gyoza and Hokkaidō beef sukiyaki.

Must-Do Activity in Moiwa

Visit Niseko Kanrosui, a natural spring producing mineral-rich water. Derived from the words kanro (immortality) and sui (water), the name Kanrosui took hold after the Shōwa emperor likened the spring water to pure nectar during a visit. Kanrosui’s water comes from snow and rain that falls on Mt Yōtei; over decades, the water seeps through the mountain's porous lava and volcanic ash before filtering into the underground springs.

Moiwa Tip

Given that Moiwa is a 30-minute drive from Niseko’s city center and public transportation options are limited, I suggest renting a car either at Sapporo airport or Kutchan station.

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— Mimana Kiel

3. Tokamachi, Niigata

Best for: Gorgeous artworks in enchanting landscapes
When to visit: Summer, to soak in alfresco art
Time from Tokyo: 2–2.5 hours via shinkansen
Best local drink: Sake

Why Visit Tokamachi?

I spent my childhood vacations fishing and skiing in Niigata. Just a 2-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo, this region showcases quintessential Japanese landscapes: ice-capped mountains, lush rice fields and lakes that reflect the sky like a mirror.

Must-Do Activities in Tokamachi

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Field is a year-round exhibition space that also hosts a special celebration every three years; this triennial festival features artworks by such renowned artists as Yayoi Kusama in natural settings. The Museum on Echigo-Tsumari is a cultural gem that’s well worth a visit for its over 300-piece collection. Instagrammers flock to Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel, a passage drilled into the mountain that’s been turned into an art installation; as well as to the beechwood forest called Bijinbayashi, which has enchanting scenery.

Tokamachi Tips

I recommend staying at traditional hotels with hot-spring baths and exploring neighboring cities like Tsunan, which has a sunflower field maze in July and August and spectacular fireworks. Purchase your ticket for Echigo-Tsumari Art Field in advance; the site is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Every time I go to Niigata, I indulge in local food specialties like top-notch Uonuma Koshihikari rice, hegisoba noodles and Echigo beer. Don’t forget to try the local sake (the region is famous for the rice wine), and buy some high-quality kitchenware from Tsubame-Sanjo, one of Japan's largest craft centers.

— Yuko Tamura

4. Kagurazaka, Tokyo

Best for: Gourmet cuisine and summer street parties
When to visit: August, for the Awa Odori festival
Time from Tokyo: 20 minutes from Tokyo Station via the Tōzai Line
Best local food: Fine French fare

Why Visit Kagurazaka?

I did a brief stint as a miko-san (shrine maiden) in Kagurazaka, so I have a personal attachment to this area.. Though it’s not always at the top of Tokyo must-visit lists, the area is packed with history and worthwhile sights – but not tourists. And that’s why I always take visiting friends and family here. Once a lively geisha district, Kagurazaka now a chic neighborhood with considerable French influence across its bakeries and wine and cheese shops. It’s ideal for an afternoon of shopping, dining and strolling.

Must-Do Activities in Kagurazaka

The district’s name translates to “hill of godly entertainment” – so religious festivities are core to Kagurazaka’s essence. On the main street sit Zenkō-ji and Akagi-jinja, a shrine whose outer building was designed by one of Japan’s most famous architects, Kengo Kuma. In the summer, festival stands and lanterns line the street, the entire neighborhood teeming with excitement for the Awa Odori dance festival.

There are plenty of gourmet offerings, including Michelin-star kaiseki (haute cuisine) restaurants, French patisseries, roasted tea shops and a lovely waterfront Italian restaurant called Canal Cafe.

Kagurazaka Tip

Visit on the weekends (take the train to Iidabashi station), when traffic is closed off. and the main street teems with pedestrians enjoying enticing eateries and boutique shops. One of my favorite things about Kagurazaka is how easy it is to get lost in one of its many cobblestone backstreets.

— AJ Pearle

5. Jōgashima, Kanagawa

Best for: Crashing waves, fresh seafood and midwinter daffodils
When to visit: Mid-January to mid-February, for the daffodil display
Time from Tokyo: 2 hours 15 minutes via train and bus
Best local food: Udon

Why Jōgashima?

Located south of such tourist hot spots as Kamakura and Enoshima, Jōgashima tends to fall under the radar of those in search of day trips from Tokyo. On days when I need a reprieve from the city, I hop on the train at Shinagawa Station to head to this small, quiet island off the Misaki coast and spend the afternoon walking across its craggy rocks.

Must-Do Activities on Jōgashima

Walk along the jagged coastline for breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and watch the waves crash against the island’s rocks. Wander for a bit, and you’ll come across natural rock formations, resting cormorants and (on a clear day) a majestic view of Mt Fuji. The island is usually quiet but gets livelier in mid-January to February, when the park on the island’s eastern end is blanketed in daffodils.

Jōgashima Tips

Opt for the Misaki Maguro Day Trip Ticket, which gets you a round-trip ride from Shinagawa Station to Jōgashima, plus a meal and activity or souvenir ticket at a participating shop. Seafood is as fresh as it gets here: I love trying a maguro-don (tuna rice bowl) at a new restaurant each time I visit.

— Winnie Tan