A green river gorge near Okutama seen through trees, with a red arch bridge crossing high above the still water.

254 guides across 47 regions of Japan

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Guides to quiet nature across Japan you can reach by train and bus: slow walks, still lakes, and small mountain towns.

Guides by interest

Hiking

Half-day walks with the numbers you actually need: cable car and ropeway fares, and how long the climb from the station really takes.

See all 13 Hiking guides →

Shrines & Temples

Mountain shrines and temple towns, with how long the approach walk really takes — and which ones fill up with day-trippers by late morning at the weekend.

See all 40 Shrines & Temples guides →

Hot Springs

Day-use baths you can reach and be back the same day, with adult admission prices and where visitors with tattoos are welcome.

See all 17 Hot Springs guides →

Food

Soba, unagi, yokan and sweet-potato snacks in temple towns across Japan — and how far the eating streets are from the nearest station.

See all 12 Food guides →

Local Trains

Single-track diesel and country lines across Japan, and the small wooden stations that are worth getting off at on the way.

See all 8 Local Trains guides →

Quiet Towns

Castle towns and hillside settlements compact enough to walk in an easy loop, with time for a slow lunch in the middle.

See all 26 Quiet Towns guides →

250 mapped guides, one country

Guides across Japan

Every single-destination guide is on the map — zoom in on a region, or tap a pin for a quick look before you read.

250 guides on the map. Drag or scroll to explore; use the +/- buttons or arrow keys once a pin has focus. Numbered circles are clusters of nearby guides — click, or press Enter, to zoom in.

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Guides by interest

Guides across Japan

All guides by region