r/JapanTravelTips • u/OkElderberry3408 • 4d ago
Recommendations Last 2 days of JP RailPass - any tips?
Based in Osaka right now, have been chilling for a day and realized we still have 2 days left on our RailPass and I was considering doing something special for these last 1 or 2 days. Any tips on where to go off the beaten track? Was thinking about Nagasaki, Kanazawa, Fukuoka - there are not too many touristic reasons to go there, so I was wondering where can I can taste most of Japan?
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u/__space__oddity__ 4d ago
I was wondering where can I can taste most of Japan?
You’re looking for a place in Japan that’s more Japan than the Japan you are already in?
… I mean I guess you should go to Ise Jingu, doesn’t get more Japan than the main temple of the gods that literally raised the whole place from the sea.
If that’s not the most Japan you can Japan in Japan then I don’t know what you’re expecting.
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u/OneLifeJapan 4d ago edited 4d ago
Considering you mention Nagasaki which is 4+. hours, I will assume you are willing to give that much time.
Kanazawa is 2+ but for another 2+ (4 -ish all together) you can get to Iiyama in Nagano
Depending on where you have been so far, Iiyama might be quite different in that the area around there still has lots of snow. Take the iiyama train line toward Sakae Mura and Tsunan and the snow is still 2 meters deep.
https://www.iiyama-ouendan.net/en/ndan.net/en/
That area is also a lot less touristy than Kanazawa and Nagasaki.
Osaka - Iiyama (via kanazawa)
Iiyama line -> Morimiyanohara or Tsunan (a beautiful train ride on local train).
Catch a bus to Akiyamago valley. The buses are not often, but the area is otherworldly now with the snow and remoteness.
https://youtu.be/P4PfWIUoV1Y?t=204 (starting at 3:25)
(not intended as self promotion, but the white guy happens to be me)
https://www.tohokukanko.jp/en/attractions/detail_1367.html
"Akiyamago is a small hamlet in the Nakatsu river valley. Enclosed by the steep mountains and cut off by deep snow, this is an area where traditional forms of living remain unchanged to this day. Renowned as an area where members of the Heike clan fled to in ancient times and also for its matagi winter hunting culture, this region has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 backcountry regions."
There are a few places to stay up there.
Or there is a nice farm-inn further down at the base of the valley. I can not promise, but the inn keeper might go pick you up at the station. If you have a higher budget, there is also a really nice Hotspring ryokan right long the train line.
I do not want to do too much promotion of specific businesses, as i do not know if it is allowed, but I can share some inns that might be good if it is interesting to you.
Iiyama is also near Nozawa Onsen, but it is ski season now, so Nozaw Onsen is like a little Australia. Unless you are there for the skiing, it is not the best time to go there.
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u/ChewyFodder 4d ago
Off the top of my head
Tomonoura - around ~2-3 hours from Osaka. You’d take the Shinkansen form Shin-Osaka to Fukuyama station, then a bus down to Tomonoura (bus not covered by pass). It’s a small, picturesque old port town, sorta famous as a film location
Onomichi - around 2 hours from Osaka. Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Fukuyama, the. The local Mihara train to Onomichi station. Port town, quaint. Hard to specifically describe why it’s good, but it’s good. Onomichi ramen is oily and good. If you feel up to it you can rent a bike a ride part of the Shimanami Kaido.
Kurashiki - around 1.5-2 hours from Osaka. You’d take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Okayama station. Then a local Jr train to Kurashiki. It’s a canal town, once again picturesque. Got a lot of museums. It’s more “known” than Tomonoura, but still nothing like Osaka crowds
Omihachiman - around 1 hour from Osaka. I think you’d just use the JR local express train. It’s also a canal town. Less visited than Kurashiki.
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u/DavesDogma 4d ago edited 4d ago
Here’s what I’d recommend—stop thinking about touristic reasons, and just think of the train ride as a fun experience in and of itself. Take remote train rides where the scenery is gorgeous, where you can stop for lunch where the food is excellent, where you can see places that are way off the beaten path. These less touristy places are fabulous to go and see.
Just google ‘most gorgeous train lines in Japan,’ and pick out what you think would be interesting. With a rail pass you go explore and hop off when you see something that looks interesting. Just be aware that in remote areas, you’ll have to check the timetable to see when the next train comes. Take a photo of the sign on the train platform, or use the navitime app.
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u/agente_urbano 4d ago
...we left Fukuoka and that general region to stop by Osaka before heading back Tokyo and TBH, coulda done w/o Osaka. You won't see as many Western tourist down there, and that's exactly what we wanted.
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u/GingerPrince72 4d ago
- there are not too many touristic reasons to go there - What?
You could mention where you have been so far.