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The Invisible Tourist

Japan: Off The Beaten Path

Wanting to explore off the beaten path in Japan?
Learn more about often overlooked places I’ve personally visited in the articles below.
Alternatively, you can book your own small group tours with a friendly local guide to enrich your trip here:
Tokyo • Kyoto • Osaka • Hiroshima • Mt Fuji • All Experiences

Inspiring & Best Day Trips from Osaka or Kyoto to Enrich Your Visit | The Invisible Tourist

11 Inspiring & Best Day Trips from Osaka or Kyoto to Enrich Your Visit

ByAlyse May 12, 2025May 13, 2025

Read More 11 Inspiring & Best Day Trips from Osaka or Kyoto to Enrich Your VisitContinue

9 Charming Things to Do in Arita Japan: Porcelain Capital | The Invisible Tourist

9 Charming Things to Do in Arita, Japan’s Porcelain Capital

ByAlyse May 10, 2025May 10, 2025

Read More 9 Charming Things to Do in Arita, Japan’s Porcelain CapitalContinue

Izu Peninsula Hotels & Onsen: Honest Advice for Where to Stay

Izu Peninsula Hotels, Onsen & Ryokan: Honest Advice for Where to Stay

ByAlyse May 7, 2025May 7, 2025

Read More Izu Peninsula Hotels, Onsen & Ryokan: Honest Advice for Where to StayContinue

Stunning Hidden Gems to Discover in Japan Off the Beaten Path | The Invisible Tourist

Stunning Places to Discover in Japan Off the Beaten Path

ByAlyse May 5, 2025May 7, 2025

Read More Stunning Places to Discover in Japan Off the Beaten PathContinue

Kawazu Seven Waterfalls: Guide to Hiking Izu's Nanadaru | The Invisible Tourist

Kawazu Seven Waterfalls: Guide to Hiking Izu’s Nanadaru

ByAlyse May 5, 2025May 7, 2025

Read More Kawazu Seven Waterfalls: Guide to Hiking Izu’s NanadaruContinue

Kyoto Hidden Gems You Won't Want to Miss | The Invisible Tourist

Stunning Kyoto Hidden Gems You Won’t Want To Miss

ByAlyse April 2, 2025April 3, 2025

Read More Stunning Kyoto Hidden Gems You Won’t Want To MissContinue

Unique Things to do in Okinawa: Japan's Paradise Islands | The Invisible Tourist

19 Unique Things to do in Okinawa: Japan’s Paradise Islands

ByAlyse March 25, 2025March 25, 2025

Read More 19 Unique Things to do in Okinawa: Japan’s Paradise IslandsContinue

Huis Ten Bosch Japan: Review of Visiting the “Little Holland” of Kyushu | The Invisible Tourist

Huis Ten Bosch: Review of Visiting the “Little Holland” of Japan

ByAlyse March 18, 2025March 19, 2025

Read More Huis Ten Bosch: Review of Visiting the “Little Holland” of JapanContinue

Gujo Hachiman Day Trip Itinerary: Japan's Preserved Water City | The Invisible Tourist

Gujo Hachiman Day Trip Itinerary: Japan’s Hidden Water City

ByAlyse March 17, 2025March 17, 2025

Read More Gujo Hachiman Day Trip Itinerary: Japan’s Hidden Water CityContinue

2 Days in Gero Onsen Itinerary: Take Time to Relax at Gifu's Finest Hot Springs

2 Days in Gero Onsen Itinerary: Take Time to Relax at Gifu’s Finest Hot Springs

ByAlyse March 5, 2025March 31, 2025

Read More 2 Days in Gero Onsen Itinerary: Take Time to Relax at Gifu’s Finest Hot SpringsContinue

Matsumoto Day Trip Itinerary: Castle & Town in One Day | The Invisible Tourist

Matsumoto Day Trip Itinerary: Castle & Town in One Day

ByAlyse March 1, 2025March 3, 2025

Read More Matsumoto Day Trip Itinerary: Castle & Town in One DayContinue

One Day in Onomichi Japan: Overlooked Port Town | The Invisible Tourist

One Day in Onomichi Itinerary: Japan’s Overlooked Seaside Town

ByAlyse February 26, 2025March 5, 2025

Read More One Day in Onomichi Itinerary: Japan’s Overlooked Seaside TownContinue

10 Days in Japan: Unique 10 Day Japan Travel Itinerary to Avoid Crowds | The Invisible Tourist

Unique 10 Days in Japan Travel Itinerary to Avoid Crowds

ByAlyse February 26, 2025May 7, 2025

Read More Unique 10 Days in Japan Travel Itinerary to Avoid CrowdsContinue

Essential Tips for Driving in Japan as a Tourist | The Invisible Tourist

Driving in Japan as a Tourist: Essential Tips & Honest Advice

ByAlyse February 26, 2025March 25, 2025

Read More Driving in Japan as a Tourist: Essential Tips & Honest AdviceContinue

2 Days in Takayama Itinerary: Discover Old-World Charm & Culture | The Invisible Tourist

2 Days in Takayama Itinerary: Discover Old-World Charm & Culture

ByAlyse February 22, 2025February 22, 2025

Read More 2 Days in Takayama Itinerary: Discover Old-World Charm & CultureContinue

2 Days in Kanazawa Itinerary: Uncover Treasures of "Little Kyoto" | The Invisible Tourist

2 Days in Kanazawa Itinerary: Uncover Treasures of “Little Kyoto”

ByAlyse February 22, 2025February 22, 2025

Read More 2 Days in Kanazawa Itinerary: Uncover Treasures of “Little Kyoto”Continue

Is Nagoya Worth Visiting? 7 Lesser-Known Reasons to Go | The Invisible Tourist

Is Nagoya Worth Visiting? 7 Lesser-Known Reasons to Go

ByAlyse February 14, 2025February 15, 2025

Read More Is Nagoya Worth Visiting? 7 Lesser-Known Reasons to GoContinue

How to Avoid Crowds at Fushimi Inari Shrine [Daytime Hike] | The Invisible Tourist

How to Avoid Crowds at Fushimi Inari Shrine [Daytime Hike]

ByAlyse February 7, 2025February 7, 2025

Read More How to Avoid Crowds at Fushimi Inari Shrine [Daytime Hike]Continue

15 Underrated Things to Do in Uji: Ancient Cultural Centre | The Invisible Tourist

15 Underrated Things to Do in Uji: Ancient Cultural Centre

ByAlyse February 4, 2025February 4, 2025

Read More 15 Underrated Things to Do in Uji: Ancient Cultural CentreContinue

18 Things to Do in Fujinomiya: The Unseen Side of Mt Fuji | The Invisible Tourist

18 Meaningful Things to Do in Fujinomiya: The Unseen Side of Mt Fuji

ByAlyse February 4, 2025February 4, 2025

Read More 18 Meaningful Things to Do in Fujinomiya: The Unseen Side of Mt FujiContinue

An Unforgettable Kawagoe Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo | The Invisible Tourist

An Unforgettable Kawagoe Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo

ByAlyse February 2, 2025February 4, 2025

Read More An Unforgettable Kawagoe Day Trip Itinerary from TokyoContinue

2 Days in Nagano Itinerary: Enjoy Snow Monkeys & Ancient Zen | The Invisible Tourist

2 Days in Nagano Itinerary: Enjoy Snow Monkeys & Ancient Zen

ByAlyse February 1, 2025February 5, 2025

Read More 2 Days in Nagano Itinerary: Enjoy Snow Monkeys & Ancient ZenContinue

Izu Peninsula Itinerary: One to 7 Days of Uncrowded Gems

Izu Peninsula Itinerary: One to 7 Days of Uncrowded Gems

ByAlyse January 30, 2025May 7, 2025

Read More Izu Peninsula Itinerary: One to 7 Days of Uncrowded GemsContinue

Unusual Things No One Tells You About Winter in Japan | The Invisible Tourist

11 Unusual Things No One Tells You About Winter in Japan

ByAlyse January 30, 2025March 25, 2025

Read More 11 Unusual Things No One Tells You About Winter in JapanContinue

24 Lesser-Known & Famous Landmarks of Japan You Won’t Want to Miss | The Invisible Tourist

24 Lesser-Known & Famous Landmarks of Japan You’ll Want to Visit

ByAlyse January 30, 2025February 5, 2025

Read More 24 Lesser-Known & Famous Landmarks of Japan You’ll Want to VisitContinue

7-10 Day Kyushu Itinerary: Japan's Underrated Island Region | The Invisible Tourist

7-10 Day Kyushu Itinerary: Japan’s Underrated Island Region

ByAlyse January 28, 2025January 30, 2025

Read More 7-10 Day Kyushu Itinerary: Japan’s Underrated Island RegionContinue

2 Days in Nagasaki Itinerary: City of Million Dollar Views | The Invisible Tourist

2 Days in Nagasaki Itinerary: City of Million Dollar Views

ByAlyse January 26, 2025January 30, 2025

Read More 2 Days in Nagasaki Itinerary: City of Million Dollar ViewsContinue

Spring Flowers in Japan That Aren't Sakura | The Invisible Tourist

9 Spring Flowers in Japan That Aren’t Sakura (and Where to Find Them)

ByAlyse January 25, 2025January 30, 2025

Read More 9 Spring Flowers in Japan That Aren’t Sakura (and Where to Find Them)Continue

Yanagawa Day Trip Itinerary: Fukuoka's Hidden Canals | The Invisible Tourist

Yanagawa Day Trip Itinerary: Fukuoka’s Hidden Canals

ByAlyse January 24, 2025January 30, 2025

Read More Yanagawa Day Trip Itinerary: Fukuoka’s Hidden CanalsContinue

Underrated Day Trips From Tokyo You Haven’t Thought Of | The Invisible Tourist

18 Underrated Day Trips From Tokyo You Haven’t Thought Of

ByAlyse January 3, 2025January 30, 2025

Read More 18 Underrated Day Trips From Tokyo You Haven’t Thought OfContinue

Japan 3 Week Itinerary: Amazing Sights & Culture Off the Beaten Track | The Invisible Tourist

3 Weeks in Japan Itinerary: Cities, Alps and Gems In Between

ByAlyse January 3, 2025March 10, 2025

Read More 3 Weeks in Japan Itinerary: Cities, Alps and Gems In BetweenContinue

Snowy Day Trip to Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo (for Non-Skiers) | The Invisible Tourist

Snowy Day Trip to Echigo & Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo (for Non-Skiers)

ByAlyse November 21, 2024January 30, 2025

Read More Snowy Day Trip to Echigo & Gala Yuzawa from Tokyo (for Non-Skiers)Continue

Amazing Things to Do in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, the "Venice of Japan" | The Invisible Tourist

The Venice of Japan: Amazing Things to Do in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

ByAlyse September 12, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More The Venice of Japan: Amazing Things to Do in Kurashiki Bikan Historical QuarterContinue

Legoland Nagoya Review: Fun with Fewer Crowds in Japan | The Invisible Tourist

Legoland Nagoya Review: Fun with Fewer Crowds in Japan

ByAlyse September 2, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More Legoland Nagoya Review: Fun with Fewer Crowds in JapanContinue

What No One Tells You About Visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Summer | The Invisible Tourist

What No One Tells You About Visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Summer

ByAlyse May 21, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More What No One Tells You About Visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in SummerContinue

Romantic 10-14 Day Japan Honeymoon Itinerary | The Invisible Tourist

Super Romantic 10-14 Day Japan Honeymoon Itinerary

ByAlyse May 18, 2024January 30, 2025

Read More Super Romantic 10-14 Day Japan Honeymoon ItineraryContinue

Best Onsen in Japan: 7 Hot Spring Towns for Ultimate Relaxation

Best Onsen in Japan: 7 Hot Spring Towns for Ultimate Relaxation

ByAlyse May 10, 2024May 21, 2024

Read More Best Onsen in Japan: 7 Hot Spring Towns for Ultimate RelaxationContinue

Hida Folk Village, or HIda no Sato, is an uncrowded alternative to the popular Shirakawa-go in Japan

Hida No Sato Folk Village, Takayama’s Delightful Hidden Jewel

ByAlyse May 10, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More Hida No Sato Folk Village, Takayama’s Delightful Hidden JewelContinue

Almost Secret Tokyo Hidden Gems You’ve Never Heard Of | The Invisible Tourist

10 (Almost) Secret Tokyo Hidden Gems You’ve Never Heard Of

ByAlyse May 10, 2024April 2, 2025

Read More 10 (Almost) Secret Tokyo Hidden Gems You’ve Never Heard OfContinue

6 Unique Experiences to Try in Takayama Old Town | The Invisible Tourist

6 Unique Experiences in Takayama Old Town Revealed by a Local

ByAlyse April 4, 2024February 4, 2025

Read More 6 Unique Experiences in Takayama Old Town Revealed by a LocalContinue

Unique & Best Places to Visit in Japan for All Types of Travellers | The Invisible Tourist

24 Unique & Best Places to Visit in Japan for All Types of Travellers

ByAlyse February 11, 2024January 30, 2025

Read More 24 Unique & Best Places to Visit in Japan for All Types of TravellersContinue

Since 2017, my blog has explored responsible ways we can improve tourism for locals and ourselves by “blending in.” With over 17 years of globetrotting experience on a mid-range budget, my personal travel guides & itineraries will help you avoid crowds whilst giving back to local communities. If you’d like to make the most of your next adventure, learn how you can ‘be invisible’ here!

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