Japan

Unplug and Unwind: Japan’s Best Remote Escapes

Japan is widely known for its big cities, but it’s also a destination that offers countless opportunities to get away from it all in some of the most remote and picturesque settings – far from the grind of daily life. From the country’s rural inlands to its smaller far-flung islands and coastal regions, here are some of the best locations to experience Japan’s unique blend of serene natural beauty and traditional culture.

Yakushima Island
(Kagoshima Prefecture)

Situated off the southern coast of Kyushu, Yakushima Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its subtropical rainforest climate, lush coastal vegetation, and ancient Yakusugi cedar forests. The island is home to some of the oldest trees in Japan, with the gigantic Jomon Sugi cedar tree – estimated to be over 2,000 years old – being one of the island’s most popular trees to visit to marvel at its incredible size.

With its unspoilt landscapes stretching from Yakushima’s subtropical coast to inland forests, the island offers the perfect place to enjoy off-grid adventures including hiking forest trails up to mountain peaks and visiting the picturesque Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine. You’ll also discover waterfalls around the island including Oko Falls which plunges from the forests above into a natural pool.

Shiretoko Peninsula
(Hokkaido)

Jutting into the Sea of Okhotsk in eastern Hokkaido, the Shiretoko Peninsula is renowned for its rugged coastline wilderness where you’ll find diverse wildlife and spectacular landscapes. The Shiretoko National Park is set in the mountains and cliffs of the northeastern tip of the peninsula and attracts visitors for its range of scenic activities and wildlife encounters.

Against the backdrop of the Shiretoko mountain range, you can stroll along the boardwalks of the Shiretoko Goko Lakes – a collective of five small lakes with calm mirror-like waters, join a boat cruise to enjoy brown bear spotting and seal watching along the coast, and if you’re visiting in winter, you might even try a drift ice walk or boat tour.

With its thermal waters cascading into natural pools, Kamuiwakka Falls offers a unique remote onsen experience in the forest, while the small towns of Rausu and Utoro are great places to visit to enjoy the freshly caught seafood the region is so well known for.

Oki Islands UNESCO Geopark
(Shimane Prefecture)

Located 60km off the coast of Shimane Prefecture and formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, the four main islands of the Oki Islands offer dramatic coastal scenery and rugged volcanic landscapes. Hiking is a popular activity, especially along the Kuniga Coast on Nishinoshima Island. Kuniga Coast is visited for its towering cliffs, magnificent rock formations, and crystal-clear waters, while the Tsutenkyo Arch is one of the coastline’s most iconic scenic spots.

Other highlights of a visit to the Oki Islands Geopark include sunset views over Dogo Island, which is also home to Dangyo Shrine and Dangyo Falls, and Nakanoshima Island’s rice fields, red cliffs and Cape Kirogasaki Lighthouse. With its extraordinary biodiversity, you can enjoy a range of activities around these sparsely populated islands including swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving.

Kamikochi
(Nagano Prefecture)

Kamikochi is a remote mountainous valley in the Hida Mountains in western Nagano Prefecture and part of the Japan Alps. The valley is especially known for its 15-kilometre-long plateau which follows the Azusa River offering a great location for walks along the river or upwards to explore the diverse flora and fauna higher in the mountains.

In this valley that delivers beautiful ever-changing scenery throughout the seasons, visit Kappa Bridge – an iconic wooden suspension bridge – for views of the Azusa River, and the Hotaka Range which includes Japan’s third highest peak, Mt Hotaka, and the active volcano of Mt Yakedake. Hikes to the clear reflective waters of Myojin Pond and Taisho Pond are also a must to experience a truly serene natural environment, while you might take the rare opportunity to try snowshoeing in winter.

Iriomote Island
(Okinawa Prefecture)

Part of the Yaeyama Islands, Iriomote Island is largely within the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park offering an idyllic location for an off-the-beaten-path jungle adventure, contrasting the colder climes of Japan. The island is sparsely populated and filled with dense inland jungles and mangrove forests, especially along the Urauchi River and Nakama River.

Imagine hiking jungle trails to hidden waterfalls including the journey to Pinaisara Falls – the highest waterfall in Okinawa – and kayaking or stand up paddleboarding through the mangroves along the meandering rivers. With Iriomote Island surrounded by white sand beaches and coral reefs, the island is also an excellent location for snorkelling and diving to see marine life including tropical fish and turtles in the clear waters.

Far flung from Japan’s sprawling cities, this sparsely populated island also offers the opportunity to connect with traditional Okinawan culture through local music and cuisine featuring tropical ingredients and fresh seafood. Guided tours of the island are available to experience the best of Iriomote Island’s unique ecosystems and local culture.

Kii Peninsula
(Kansai Region)

Spanning the three prefectures of Mie, Nara, and Wakayama, Kii Peninsula is renowned for being a spiritual hub and one of the most naturally stunning locations in Japan – home to a great many scenic treasures and sights of spiritual and cultural significance. While its rural areas are dotted with ancient temples, forests, and onsen, you’ll also discover a network of ancient pilgrimage trails known as oshi Kodo that journey through incredible forests and lead to the three sacred shrines of Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha.

For an immersive off-grid experience, visit the mountaintop temple complex of Koyasan which offers temple lodgings (shukubo) where you can learn about Buddhist practices and enjoy meditation and wholesome meals with fresh produce. Plunging 133 metres, one of Japan’s most famous waterfalls, Nachi Falls, can also be found on the Kii Peninsula, part of the Kumano Nachi Shrine complex. Meanwhile, you can experience one of Japan’s oldest hot springs, Yunomine Onsen, or explore the Yoshino-Kumano National Park for hiking trails through forests, rivers, and scenic coastlines featuring cliffs and sea caves.