Wakayama City, Kobe, and Nara are a few of my other favorite spots for food, scenery, and shopping.
The first time I visited Japan , I followed the so-called Golden Route and visited three major tourist spots: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
I immediately understood why these three cities were so popular. They all had delicious food, gorgeous temples, and seemingly endless things to see and do.
Since moving here last year, though, I've been making a point to venture beyond the usual stops, hoping to see another side of Japan.
There are four day trips — all located within an hour or two of Japan's biggest cities — that I'd genuinely recommend.
Saitama felt more relaxed than Tokyo, but just as interesting to explore
I loved visiting historic sites like Kawagoe Castle. tang90246/Getty Images
Saitama made it easy to see a relaxed, everyday side of Japan, just outside Tokyo. While there, I split my time between Omiya and Kawagoe, both of which were worth the visit.
Known as "Little Edo," Kawagoe is famous for its historic buildings, now home to shops, sweets, and slower-paced sightseeing. I browsed shopping malls, vintage stores (including BIG TIME), and hobby shops with cool anime merch.
In Kawagoe Old Town, many vendors sell Japanese sweet potato, a local specialty. I tried some homemade sweet-potato chips with flavored butter dips, which made for a delicious, crispy snack.
I also visited Toki no Kane bell tower, Kawagoe Castle, and Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Behind the shrine is the Shingashi River, lined with cherry-blossom trees that flowered in the spring.
Before heading home, I grabbed ramen in Omiya and browsed Book Off Super Bazaar, a massive secondhand store packed with clothes, home goods, games, and luxury items . I found that pairing Kawagoe with Omiya rounded out the day perfectly.
I found Kobe to be an easy, walkable day trip
Kobe had delicious food, waterfront shopping, and mountain views. Alessa Hickman
Under an hour from Osaka by train, Kobe is one of my favorite Japanese cities.
Riding the ropeway up Mount Rokko to Nunobiki Herb Gardens was unforgettable: The 10-minute cable-car ride offered stunning views of Kobe, the sea, and the surrounding mountains.
At the top, I explored different viewpoints and gardens before hiking down to the city. Along the way, I stopped in the greenhouse filled with tropical plants and relaxed in the hammocks overlooking the landscape.
Back in the city, I visited the historic Ikuta Shrine before heading to Kobe's Chinatown. The streets were packed with people and food vendors selling everything from pork buns and beef skewers to incredible ramen.
Kobe is a must-stop for foodies , and I'm already planning another trip just to eat there again.
I ended the night around Kobe Port Tower and Harborland, where the waterfront shopping and entertainment areas light up beautifully after dark.
Nara was my first day trip in Japan — and I'd still recommend it
I loved feeding the deer in Nara. Alessa Hickman
I've happily returned to Nara multiple times. It's around a 45-minute train ride from Osaka or Kyoto, making it a fairly quick trip.
Stepping out of Kintetsu-Nara Station, you'll find yourself surrounded by busy shops and restaurants. Walk along Higashimuki Shopping Street to reach Nakatanidou, a famous mochi shop known for its live mochi-pounding.
From there, the city opens into Nara Park, where deer roam freely through the streets and temple grounds. At one point, a deer even stood beside me at the crosswalk, waiting as if she knew exactly when to cross the street.
Several vendors sell crackers for the deer, but you'll quickly learn to stash them away immediately — the deer always know who has snacks. Watching the animals bow before you feed them is a classic experience, though, and it's super fun to see in person.
The park has gardens, ponds, museums, walking trails, and temples, including the iconic Todai-ji Temple. Although the main areas can get busy, walking farther into the park leads to peaceful spaces tucked away from the crowds.
Wakayama had great ramen and a cool, historic castle
Wakayama had a quieter vibe than some of the other cities I've visited. Alessa Hickman
Wakayama was my furthest day trip; it took me about 90 minutes to get there from Osaka. The train ride was lovely, and the city has a quiet, residential feel.
I found Wakayama to be more spread out than cities like Nara and Kobe, so although I managed to walk everywhere, some visitors might prefer taking a bus for longer stretches. With good planning, I think Wakayama is totally doable in a day.
I started off at the free Fusion Museum, dedicated to knitting heritage and technology. For a small fee, visitors can design souvenirs using bike-powered knitting machines.
I learned the hard way that spots fill up quickly, so even though wandering through the exhibits was fun, plan to arrive early if you want to make something yourself.
Wakayama Castle was another highlight of my trip. The grounds include gardens, ponds, and seasonal trees, and exhibits inside showcase historical artifacts. From the castle tower, there are 360-degree views of the city, mountains, and ocean. It was easily my favorite view in Japan so far.
After exploring, I stopped for ramen at Ramen Bakumatsu's castle branch and enjoyed one of the best bowls I've had since moving here.
Later, I headed to Wakayama Marina City, a resort island in Wakaura Bay. While there, I stopped by Kuroshio Market, which is known for its fresh seafood.
The long walk along the coastline, where I passed quiet parks and shrines, was just as memorable as the destination itself.
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