Like Tokyo, but not the Crowds? You’ll Love These 7 Alternative Destinations
Japan is forecast to welcome a record 40+ million visitors throughout 2025, with Tokyo being the most popular destination being Japan’s capital. While Tokyo undeniably offers cultural and historical treasures, the influx of tourists has made it increasingly difficult to enjoy certain parts. Fortunately, Japan offers countless alternative destinations that capture Tokyo’s unique blend of tradition and modernity while providing a more relaxed and authentic atmosphere.
Fukuoka: For Street Food Lovers
Set along the shores of Hakata Bay, Fukuoka offers a vibrant mix of street food, design-centric ryokans, and local culture. The city’s open-air yatai stalls serve local favourites late into the night, while sunlit parks and waterfront walks keep things relaxed by day. As Kyushu’s cultural and culinary hub, Fukuoka also plays host to centuries-old festivals and a thriving creative scene that feels grounded, youthful, and distinctly local.
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Sapporo: For Northern Adventurers
Far to the north, Sapporo blends crisp air, creative cuisine, and dramatic landscapes in a way that’s hard to replicate. Its Ramen Alley, beer museums, and fresh seafood markets rival any Tokyo neighbourhood, but with fewer crowds and a closer connection to nature. From snowy festivals in Odori Park to hikes just outside the city, Hokkaido’s capital is a refreshing, outdoors-minded escape.
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Osaka: For Urban Foodies and Night Owls
Osaka wears its energy on its sleeve; loud, unfiltered, and endlessly edible. Japan’s famed second city is known for its streetwise charm, iconic takoyaki stalls, and friendly locals. Its neon-lit districts are as vibrant as Tokyo’s, but the mood is more casual, less performative. Add in close links to Kyoto and Kobe, and you’ve got a base that’s playful, well-connected, and full of bite.
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Yokohama: For Tokyo Day-Trippers
Just 30 minutes south of Tokyo by train, Yokohama feels like a city that understands proximity and possibility. It’s home to Japan’s largest Chinatown, bold architectural statements like the ferry terminal and Red Brick Warehouse, and a bayside setting that softens the cityscape. Whether as a calm day trip or a smart overnight, Yokohama is Tokyo’s relaxed younger sibling: cultured, creative, and confident in its own skin.
Kobe: For Design-Minded Travellers
Compact, refined, and architecturally curious, Kobe is more than just its famously marbled beef. With its port-city history and modernist buildings woven into the foothills of Mount Rokko, it has the feel of an open-air museum. The city’s international influence is evident in its cafés, galleries, and design culture — making it a stylish pause between Osaka and the ancient calm of Kyoto.
Kanazawa: For Crafts & Culture
Kanazawa rewards those who prefer crafts to crowds. With preserved geisha districts, one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, and a museum dedicated to 21st-century art and architecture, the city bridges the past and present with understated precision. The train station alone, all glass and steel under a traditional torii-inspired gate, hints at the thoughtful blend of old and new waiting beyond.
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Nagoya: For Under-the-Radar Explorers
Nagoya often gets overlooked, and yet that’s part of its appeal. It’s an industrial powerhouse with cultural gems that are quietly impressive: a modern castle reconstruction set among wide moats, sleek museums, and the new Ghibli Park just outside the city. It’s not trying to be Kyoto or Tokyo, and that’s exactly what makes it worth a second look.
Discover Japan Like Never Before. Tried & Tested by a Local.
Trusted by thousands of design-conscious, culturally curious and forward-thinking travellers around the world, Views from Japan is a meaningful travel guidebook that gives you all the tools to unlock remote destinations, delve into Japan’s unique cultural traditions and discover lesser-known neighbourhoods, without spending hours trawling the web or following generic itineraries.
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