Japan's 8 most underrated destinations – and why you should visit

Mie often gets overlooked in favour of its deer-dominated neighbour Nara, but this tranquil coastal prefecture has a lot to offer the wanderlusting traveller. The region is famous for its seafood, namely the ise-ebi (spiny lobster) and oysters. They come with the ancient tradition of ama (female divers), who free-dive to the ocean floor to collect pearls without the use of scuba equipment. 

As for sightseeing, there are three main attractions that dominate most of the postcards in the area. The first is Ise Jingu, which is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and considered to be among the most sacred sites in Shinto religion. 

The second is the Maruyama rice terrace, one of the largest of its kind in Japan and believed to date back to the Edo era (1603-1868). Finally, you can’t leave Mie without visiting the Futamiokitama Shrine, home to a pair of peculiar rock formations (pictured) that are said to bring good luck to newly weds. 

One of Japan’s largest prefectures on the main island of Honshu, Niigata is a treasure trove of culture, natural scenery and delicious food. The area is also famous for its high-quality rice, which is used to make some of the best sake in the country. 

The prefecture is markedly popular among ski and snowboarders with winter resorts like the Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort, but the vast region has even more to offer travellers outside of the winter months.

For instance, Niigata is the host of one of the world’s largest open-air arts festivals every three years, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. Since its debut in 2000, the large-scale event has amassed 200 permanent installations. These are scattered throughout the prefecture and were created by both local and international artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Leandro Erlich, Kohei Nawa and James Turrell, among others. Many of the featured artworks at the Echigo Tsumari Art Field are site-specific installations that can be viewed outside of the festival season. 

Beyond its enthusiasm for quirky contemporary sculptures, Niigata takes pride in its rich history of performing arts, architecture and craftsmanship, particularly in the production of lacquerware, pottery and textiles.

To gain a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural practices, visitors should visit the Northern Culture Museum, which features picturesque gardens and traditional Japanese buildings and art. Alternatively, drop by the Saito Villa, a well-preserved home of a wealthy merchant family from the Meiji period.

On the west side of Kyoto sits the breathtaking prefecture of Shiga. Though it is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Shiga once served as the centre of political and cultural power in Japan and is brimming with historical architectural marvels like Hikone Castle, or the Enryaku-ji Temple complex overlooking Kyoto on Mt Hiei. 

In addition to its historical significance, Shiga is also renowned for its stunning natural beauty. The largest freshwater lake in Japan, Lake Biwa, is a sight to behold and has inspired numerous literary works and poems throughout history. Many shrines and temples are located around the lake, but the most iconic structures are the torii gate at the Shirahige Shrine, which sits on the waterscape, and the Ukimido (Floating Hall) at the Mangetsu Temple.

Hokkaido and Nagano are the obvious winter destinations for snow sport enthusiasts, but Yamagata’s vast mountains with powdery white ‘snow monsters’ are a buzzworthy attraction in their own right.

The ‘monsters’ are actually just trees that got frozen in a snow flurry, but they have become an icon of the wintery prefecture, where people go to enjoy winter sports with fewer crowds. When not on the slopes, you can explore the hot spring town of Ginzan Onsen, which boasts centuries-old architecture reminiscent of scenes from Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘Spirited Away’. 

In the months that the region isn’t covered in snow, you’ll want to take the opportunity to explore its remote but idyllic shrines and temples which take some effort to reach but are well within the journey. This includes the ancient Yamadera (pictured) dating back to the year 860. Since the temple complex is set up high in the mountains, the view is worth the 1,000 stone steps it takes to get up there.

The sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains – consisting of Mt Haguro, Mt Gassan and Mt Yudono – are worth a trip, too. They each boast a shinto shrine deep in the forests and are considered to be paramount symbols of Shintoism. Mt Haguro is especially scenic, with an ancient five-storey pagoda lodged in the middle of a cedar forest.

Art lovers are fully familiar with Naoshima, home to Yayoi Kusama’s yellow pumpkin as well as the amazing museum hotel Benesse House, among a host of other art installations and museums that dot the island. But Naoshima is just one among a group of art islands in the small but sunny southern prefecture of Kagawa.

The surrounding islands of Teshima (pictured), Ogijima and Oshima, to name a few, are only large enough for a few dozen – if any – residents each. However, they play an integral role in the region’s initiative to highlight modern art as a form of experiential travel. 

Back on the mainland, the region’s cuisine is centered around a surprising homegrown produce – olives. With its balmy Mediterranean-like climate, Kagawa prides itself on its lush olive groves, so it’s common for everything from sashimi to rice to be seasoned with olive oil here. As for historical sites, you’ll learn about the ancient Shikoku Pilgrimage that passes through 88 sacred Buddhist temples – a demanding journey that still attracts a handful of devotees even to this day.

Set in the heart of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, Gifu is just one of eight landlocked prefectures in Japan. The prefecture has a proud history of woodworking and craftsmanship. Carpenters from the town of Takayama were even commissioned to help build the important shrines and structures in Nara and Kyoto during the Edo period, including the former capital’s Imperial Palace. 

You can see Gifu’s exceptional wooden architecture in areas like the storybook village of Shirakawa-go (pictured), a carefully preserved Unesco World Heritage Site which features quaint, triangular thatched-roof houses surrounded by a fortress of mountains. Over in Takayama's historical town of Hida Furukawa, you can explore the region’s heritage architecture in the Hida no Sato open-air museum. Here you’ll discover the significance behind the wooden buildings as well as the traditions that surround the town. 

While the prefecture is full of rural areas, don’t take that to mean there are few activities. Come summertime, you can join boat tours for cormorant fishing along the Nagara river. This traditional fishing method has been around for more than 1,000 years and it is sadly a dying practice. Here fishermen light their wooden boats with torches and guide a flock of trained birds to dive into the water and catch fish by swallowing them whole.

No, not the famed Ghibli animator; we’re talking about the southern Kyushu Island prefecture with its breathtaking natural scenery and tropical climate. Like Okinawa, Miyazaki offers white sand beaches as well as vast caves and gorges to please adventure-seeking travellers.

One of its most famous attractions is the Takachiho Gorge, which you can float through on a rowboat to admire the gorge’s waterfalls. Also in the Takachiho area is the sacred Amanoiwato-jinja, a shrine tucked inside a rock cave dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu.

Close to the coast, you’ll find curious landmarks like the rock formations nicknamed the ‘Devil’s Washboard’ as well as the Sun Messe Nichinan. The latter, a peculiar seaside theme park in Nichinan City, features a row of Easter Island Moai statues. These here are the only officially sanctioned Moai statue replicas in the world. They were presented to Japan as an expression of gratitude for assisting in the restoration of the real statues. 

If it’s Edo-era towns, traditional teahouses and old castles you’re after, Ishikawa is the place for you. This small coastal prefecture on Honshu is small but full of fascinating history, complete with feudal castles, carefully cultivated Japanese gardens, and not to mention, mouthwatering seafood. 

Ishikawa’s capital of Kanazawa is a cultural epicentre as it was one of the richest cities in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1867), full of wealthy merchants and powerful feudal lords. You’ll feel the magnitude of the city’s grandeur from the moment you exit the train station, where you’ll see the magnificent Tsuzumimon Gate (pictured) inspired by traditional Japanese drums.

Like Kyoto, Kanazawa continues to be known for its geisha districts like Higashi Chaya, where maiko (geisha in training) are often seen walking in decorative kimonos through the streets of traditional Edo-period townhouses. Other attractions that have existed since the Edo period include the traditional gardenscape of Kenrokuen and Omicho Market. The latter is the city’s biggest fresh food market and a foodie paradise, boasting some 200 stalls of produce as well as street snacks like golden brown croquettes and oysters on the half shell for sampling on the go. 

Before you leave, be sure to check out Kanazawa's 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, most famous for its iconic installation by ​​Leandro Erlich, ‘The Swimming Pool’.