{"id":16124,"date":"2018-11-02T08:13:18","date_gmt":"2018-11-02T00:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/?p=16124"},"modified":"2020-07-02T15:06:39","modified_gmt":"2020-07-02T07:06:39","slug":"japans-unsung-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/japans-unsung-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan\u2019s Unsung Cities"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you think of urban Japan, you think of Tokyo<\/strong><\/a>\u2014and maybe Osaka<\/strong><\/a>, or perhaps even Hiroshima. Regardless of the Japanese city in question, you probably imagine a sprawling metropolis filled with millions of people<\/p>\n

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Hokkaido\u2019s Hakodate to Shikoku\u2019s Kochi”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

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Japan\u2019s most rewarding cities are ones you never thought to visit. Discover storied castles, glittering panoramas and delicacies you won\u2019t find anywhere else.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

When you think of urban Japan, you think of Tokyo\u2014and maybe Osaka, or perhaps even Hiroshima. Regardless of the Japanese city in question, you probably imagine a sprawling metropolis filled with millions of people, serpentine rail lines and blaring neon signs that light busy thoroughfares all through the night. In fact, many of Japan\u2019s most incredible cities bear little resemblance to this stereotype\u2014Kyoto<\/strong><\/a> is perhaps the best-known counterexample. While you probably won\u2019t recognise the names of these unsung Japanese cities, from Hokkaido\u2019s Hakodate to Shikoku\u2019s Kochi, you\u2019ll definitely want to visit them by the time you finish reading.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Aomori\"

Aomori<\/p><\/div>\n

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Aomori<\/h3>\n

Located at the northern tip of Honshu island, underrated Aomori ticks culinary and culinary boxes. At A-Factory, an impressive array of apple-flavoured products (and a self-serve cider bar) highlight the importance of apple crops to the economy of Aomori prefecture. If you can\u2019t visit Aomori in August for the annual Nebuta Matsuri Festival, make sure to visit Nebuta House Warasse, where the massive paper lanterns are on display the rest of the year. Popular excursions from Aomori include charming Hirosaki Castle and massive Lake Towada, while understated luxury of Hotel Aomori (HotelAomori.co.jp, rooms from S$129) makes you feel at home in the heart of the city.<\/p>\n

Getting there:Ride the Shinkansen Hayabusa (currently, the fastest train in Japan) from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori, then take a local train to Aomori Station. Or, hop one of several daily flights to Aomori from Tokyo\u2019s Haneda Airport.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Fukuoka\"

Fukuoka<\/p><\/div>\n

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Fukuoka<\/h3>\n

Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu island and serves as the gateway to all its incredible attractions. Walk up to the little-known Atago Jinja Shrine for a panorama of Fukuoka\u2019s sparkling skyline, or cool off during the humid summer months with a swim at Momochi Seaside Park. A day trip to the reclining Buddha at Nanzo-in will work up an appetite, which any of the 43 Michelin-starred restaurant in Fukuoka (TIP: If you want to dine at Sagano, which has earned three stars, make reservations far in advance) will deliciously take care of. Grand Hyatt Fukuoka (Fukuoka.Grand.Hyatt.com, rooms from S$248) is arguably the most luxurious hotel in the city, though the ocean views you get at Hilton Fukuoka Seahawk (Hilton.com, rooms from S$200) are hard to beat.<\/p>\n

Getting there: The Shinkansen Nozomi takes you directly from Tokyo to Hakata station (Fukuoka\u2019s bullet train hub) in about six hours; otherwise, take one of the nearly 50 daily flights from either of Tokyo\u2019s airports to Fukuoka\u2019s.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Hakodate\"

Hakodate<\/p><\/div>\n

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Hakodate<\/h3>\n

Formerly reachable only by plane, Hokkaido\u2019s southern hub Hakodate gained a chance at great notoriety when the Shinkansen connected it directly to Tokyo by train for the first time, in 2017. And thanks to the city\u2019s impressive range of attractions, which include Hakodate Morning Market (home to the \u201cDancing Squid\u201d viral internet sensation), star-shaped Goryokaku Fort, the Russian Orthodox churches of Motomachi and Mount Hakodate, whose night view is consistently rated the best in Japan, it\u2019s really only a matter of time before Hakodate\u2019s secret is out. Bourou Noguchi Hakodate Ryokan (Bourou-Hakodate.com, rooms from S$268) pairs an ultra-modern take on the traditional Japanese guest house with soothing Japanese hot springs that flow from nearby Yunokawa Onsen.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Dancing

Dancing Squid in Hakodate<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Getting there: Ride the Shinkansen Hayabusa about an hour past Shin-Aomori station, then catch a local service to Hakodate station, which is just steps from Hakodate Morning Market. Or, fly ANA nonstop from Tokyo-Haneda.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Himeji\"

Himeji<\/p><\/div>\n

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Himeji<\/h3>\n

Himeji Castle is widely known as the most stunning one in all of Japan, having been built in the 17th century at what was then the apex of Japanese architectural prowess. After riding a boat through the castle\u2019s moat, or enjoying views of it from the platform of Himeji Station and the hilltop Otokoyama Senhime Tenmangu Shrine, get dressed for dinner at the Michelin-starred Sushiichi, which serves up sushi and sake (what pairs better with Japan\u2019s finest castle than an acclaimed take on its most famous food and beverage) on traditional tatami mats. The four-star Hotel Nikko Himeji (HotelNikkoHimeji.co.jp, rooms from S$92) likewise priorities simplicity over sumptuousness, though after the day you\u2019ve had you\u2019re sure to sleep soundly.<\/p>\n

Getting there: Himeji Station is just 90 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station via any westbound Shinkansen.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

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Kochi<\/p><\/div>\n

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Kochi<\/h3>\n

Situated right in the heart of oft-overlooked Shikoku island, Kochi is as excellent as a jumping-off point for adventure on the Seto Inland Sea as it is for a standalone city trip. Its own 17th-century castle rivals the beauty of Himeji\u2019s, to say nothing of the stunning panorama you enjoy from its open-to-the-public keep. Hirome Ichiba Market is a foodie\u2019s paradise, with several stalls serving seared tataki-style Bonito, Kochi\u2019s most famous culinary specialty.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Kochi\"

Kochi<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Take a spiritual walk through the grounds of Chikurin-ji Pagoda, whose stone Buddhas wear knitted red caps to honor the memories of babies who didn\u2019t make it past infancy, and make your home at the century-and-a-half old Jyoseikan Ryokan (Jyoseikan.co.jp, rooms from S$352).<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Kochi\"

Kochi<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Getting there: Take one of several nonstop flights from Tokyo-Haneda to Kochi Airport. Or, ride the Shinkansen to Okayama (3-4 hours west of Tokyo), then take the JR Nanpu Limited Express for 2.5 hours until you arrive at Kochi Station.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Takayama\"

Takayama<\/p><\/div>\n

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Takayama<\/h3>\n

Everything worth seeing in Takayama centres around the ruby red Nakabashi Bridge, so you\u2019ll want to make<\/p>\n

sure this landmark is your first stop, not your only one. Shop for local handicrafts in the three streets of Edo-era Sanmachi Suji, or enjoy a serene stroll through the hillside Higashiyama Cemetery, which (perhaps surprisingly) is one of the city\u2019s most popular walking tracks. Takayama sits within day-trip distance of UNESCO World Heritage site Shirakawa-go, though you might simply decide to hunker down in the on-site onsen at the impeccable Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan (HonjinHiranoya.com, rooms with full board from S$417), particularly if you visit during the frigid winter months.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Takayama

Takayama Ginkgo<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text]Getting there: The Wide-View Hida express train runs direct to Takayama from Nagoya, which enjoys air and bullet train connections to Tokyo several times per hour.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Tottori\"

Tottori<\/p><\/div>\n

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Tottori<\/h3>\n

Tottori is most notable for its proximity to Japan\u2019s only desert, itself notable as the setting for Kozo Abe\u2019s seminal 1962 tome Woman in the Dunes. However, the Tottori Sand Dunes (where you can actually spot real-life camels, in case you were curious) are but one reason why a trip to this small city on the northern shore of Honshu is so worthwhile. Hakuto Shrine\u2019s stone rabbits make it a quirky counterpoint to the dunes themselves, while lunch or dinner at Wakabayashi allows you crack open Tottori\u2019s famous crabs (the prefecture produces more of them than anywhere else in Japan) while looking out onto a fisherman\u2019s village. Hotel New Otani (NewOtani.co.jp, rooms from S$146) is the most high-end place to sleep, though you should keep in mind that Tottori isn\u2019t known for luxury hotels.<\/p>\n

Getting there: ANA flies nonstop from Tokyo-Haneda to Tottori five times daily, while the train journey from Osaka (onboard the Super Hakuto Limited Express) takes about three hours.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Yokohama\"

Yokohama<\/p><\/div>\n

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Yokohama<\/h3>\n

To the uninformed observer, Yokohama<\/strong><\/a> is simply part of the Tokyo metro area. The moment you arrive here, however, you\u2019ll realize how untrue this assumption is, whether you traipse through the turn-of-last-century Sankein-en Garden (one of the city\u2019s top sakura spots), marvel at views of Tokyo Bay from Cosmo Clock 21 ferris wheel or enjoy a decidedly modern shopping experience inside the historical Red Brick Warehouse. The best place to eat in Yokohama is the city\u2019s Chinatown (Japan\u2019s largest\u2014try Heichinro Yokohama Honten to savor refined dim sum in an intimate, luxurious setting), while a sleep at the lavish Intercontinental Yokohama Grand (IHG.com, rooms from S$150) is reason alone to spend a night away from Tokyo.<\/p>\n

Getting there: Any westbound Shinkansen will take you from Tokyo station from Shin-Yokohama in just 15 minutes, while a taxi from Tokyo will run you about \u00a514,000 (S$178) one-way.\u25fc[\/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”ids” element_width=”12″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1541062723445-8181dc44-6d94-1″ include=”15651″][vc_column_text]Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.<\/em><\/a><\/span>
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\u00a9 This article was first published in Aug-Sept 2018 edition of World Travel Magazine.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on World Travel Magazine, head over to our Facebook<\/a> page or message us on Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

And if you liked this story, subscribe to our bi-monthly World Travel Magazine<\/a>, a handpicked selection of editorial features and stories from Global Destinations, Inspire Me, Insider, Style File, Wellness & Travel, City Travel, Suite Life, At Leisure, Short Breaks and much more.<\/em><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”9″ style=”load-more” items_per_page=”9″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1541062723448-484d29b0-8b94-6″ taxonomies=”698″ exclude=”15205, 14466, 11296″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you think of urban Japan, you think of Tokyo\u2014and maybe Osaka, or perhaps even Hiroshima. Regardless of the Japanese city in question, you probably imagine a sprawling metropolis filled with millions of people [vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”10″][vc_custom_heading text=”Hokkaido\u2019s Hakodate to Shikoku\u2019s Kochi”][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”2″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-page”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text] Japan\u2019s most rewarding cities are ones you never […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[801,698,788,823,781,1],"tags":[1667,1668,1669,1670,1069,1606,1671,1672,1673],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16124"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16124"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16124\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}