Don't Go to Kyoto! ⛩️ 5 Alternative Travel Destinations in Japan

Hey guys, hope you’re all having a great week so far!

It’s been a monumentally busy week here shooting two videos across the three big sights of Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, and of course, Yamagata.

Heading up north and catching up with Natsuki was the highlight, especially getting back behind the wheel of my beloved Kei car for the first time since Non-Stop North.

For Yamagata, I shot a Day in the Life video, for my annual escape back to the place I call home in Japan, as well as cycling around Sakata chatting with eccentric locals along the way.

Hell we even ran into an awesome viewer in the most unlikeliest places. But for the variety of locations - forests, bars, temples and sea - and for the variety of interesting characters we met along the way, it should be a really fun episode, out in just a couple of weeks.

As for the second video, well it wasn’t so fun to film, and you’ll see why when it drops next week, though thankfully American Pete made the shoot a lot more bearable. 

IN both new episodes though I put a real emphasis on chatting with strangers on camera and I have to say, it's something I'm really keen to do more of going forward; Japanese or foreign travellers alike, half the fun of travel is who you run into.

Behind the scenes, big things have been happening which I can finally reveal next month. Make no mistake, it’s the biggest thing we’ve ever done and you guys will be the first to get the details. (And no, it’s not Ryotaro: The Movie, thankfully).

Now we all know a trip to Japan typically means a stop at Kyoto. Over the years, my relationship with the city has certainly had its ups and downs. Initially, I was impressed by the architecture but not so impressed by the overall atmosphere of overcrowded streets and travellers out to get photos for Instagram rather than digging into the city's rich culture. Hell I recall several years ago posting here on Patreon about why I thought Kyoto was overrated.

In hindsight, it was very naive, and in the years since, over the course of many trips, I’ve grown to embrace Kyoto as one of my favourite spots in the country. But with all the articles and news stories of late, decrying over-tourism—especially in Kyoto—I maintain the issue is simply that most travellers aren’t aware of alternative locations, cities, journeys, or experiences that provide the same rewards as Japan’s ancient capital.

And so today, I wanted to share with you guys five alternative destinations to Kyoto. Maybe as a first-time traveler to Japan, or if you’re looking to return and go off the beaten track for the same 2-3 days you’d typically dedicate to Kyoto. Islands, city breaks, and road trips—I’ve thought long and hard, and hopefully at least one of these destinations sounds appealing.

So, let’s dive in. Quite literally! As our first location is in the Sea of Japan.

1) Sado Island Escape

Home of Taiko drums, gold mines, and exiled figures including an emperor and infamous monk, Sado Island has quite the legacy. When I think about the idea of an ‘escape,’ I often think about the mysterious island of Sado nestled in the Sea of Japan, a two-hour boat ride from Niigata.

A few years ago, Ryotaro and I shot a video on the island over the course of 3-4 days, and it was honestly one of my favourite shoots together. We journeyed to tranquil beaches, wandered the seemingly undiscovered Myosenji and Seisuji temples, and indulged in some local award-winning Michelin star restaurants.

Sado struck me as the perfect place for a romantic getaway (so it was something of a tragedy I was lumbered with Ryotaro), where you can experience the best of Japan and have it all to yourself. To this day, it’s very rare that I meet a foreign traveller who’s actually made a trip to the island. If you ever do, I’d strongly recommend renting a car and avoiding the winter months when it’s too cold or windy to truly appreciate. 

But you’ll find there’s a real spirit of adventure on a trip to Sado, from hopping on the ferry to wandering quiet fishing towns and enjoying the many hidden temples and shrines all to yourself. Personally, I’d love to go back as it’s been too long, and I’m amazed at how few travellers or influencer folks set foot on the island. It’s a side of Japan that’s unfortunately seldom explored.

🍿 Watch our trip to Sado: https://youtu.be/BBF8NRTetxs?si=meWr5IeOtAEV5dRO

Sapporo City Break

Whether you’re taking in Sapporo’s snowy winter streets or fleeing the rotisserie chicken summertime experience that is Japan in August, Hokkaido’s capital city is an incredibly rewarding city to dive into. On my first visit with Natsuki, we ate our way through a cookie factory, enjoyed a mouthwatering bowl of miso ramen, queued for an hour for the Genghis Khan (fortunately not the warlord, but the famous lamb mutton BBQ), and drank at a cocktail bar overlooking the neon-lit glory of Susukino—Hokkaido’s answer to Shibuya or Shinjuku.

Since then, I’ve returned numerous times, usually for no more than 2-3 days, including a trip for the legendary Sapporo Snow Festival and when Connor and I passed through on the original Cyclethon. Whether you’re twinning the trip to Sapporo with a journey through Hakodate city and the epic hot spring town of Jigokudani or simply want to experience a Japanese city with its own unique vibe and local dishes outside of Honshu, I’ve never met a traveler who’s been to Sapporo and not walked away wishing they could stay longer. And at just an hour’s flight time from Tokyo, it’s an ideal destination for a long weekend away.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/2guZrrVMGfI?si=LA0GB-PkYhsN9k_d

Aizu Wakamatsu/Kitakata Ramen Retreat

While most folks have their first hot spring and Ryokan experience (a traditional inn) in Hakone, instead of heading west from Tokyo for 2-3 hours, head north to Fukushima, where the historic town of Aizu Wakamatsu awaits, with onsen in abundance, a bizarre temple inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, and a retro 1960s museum all in good measure.

I won’t deny, this is a destination where I highly recommend renting a car, but the rewards are great. We’ve passed through with both Ryotaro and Natsuki on numerous occasions, most recently on JAJ: Non-Stop North, where Ryotaro took me to the most bloody spectacular eel restaurant I’ve ever visited, and Natsuki almost melted his mouth on a spicy bowl of ramen in the neighbouring town of Kitakata.

Fukushima is a deeply rewarding place to explore, and whether you’re eating your way through Kitakata, which has the honour of hosting more ramen shops per capita than any place in Japan, or stumbling in confusion through the Sazaedo temple, built from plans pinched from Da Vinci, you’ll certainly be returning from your trip with some amazing stories to tell.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/TwPHIABVdg8?si=rICEGNISeqlntjWm

Miyajima Overnight

Most folks speed run Hiroshima over the course of two days, one night. Something I’m guilty of for the majority of my visits to the city. Perhaps I was deterred by the fact that my first stay on the island involved having half my baggage eaten by a mischievous deer when I slept overnight in a tent. But in a recent episode on Hiroshima, I went back and had another shot at staying on the island in a far more ‘deer secure’ environment (i.e., an actual hotel), and I came away with the realization that Miyajima might just be one of the most beautiful islands in Japan.

Temples and shrines lie on misty mountains, traditional houses and shops blend into the forests, and Itsukushima Shrine at dawn towers quietly over the waves that gently lap the coastline. Given most travelers in Japan spend their time in urban environments for the majority of their stay, Miyajima offers a chance to escape the chaos and find yourself on a sacred island whose beauty reveals itself at dawn and dusk.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/EC2rOFE5TCs?si=tEiuAKljtYtd0QfB

Yamagata Road Trip

On my recent trip to Yamagata for the aforementioned Day in the Life shoot, I was reminded of why I fell in love with Japan in the first place. Japan’s far-flung west coast really is a treasure trove of discovery. Nothing beats driving across the luscious plains of Shonai and stumbling across a tiny hamlet village with an impeccable shrine to explore.

Towering mountains, sacred temples, gushing waterfalls, fishermen quietly enjoying the afternoon along the Sea of Japan coastline—it really is a magical place. It’s undeniably the most daring place to reach on this list, requiring a car to get around and truly enjoy it. But the rewards here are great. There’s a real sense of adventure to be found: visit Ginzan Onsen, Yamadera Temple, Haguro Mountain, and stay in a traditional inn down the southern end of the prefecture such as Takinami Onsen (as seen in last year’s documentary). There’s no better place in Japan to find yourself—speaking from experience.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/uQw1SwPo0UA?si=I5Mnc26zlRCLru37

That's all for now guys - now let me know where YOU would recommend as an alternative to Kyoto in the comments below - would love to hear your suggestions!

Chris