Along the Golden Route in Japan, leading to the three cities tour of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, lies some beautiful escapes. JNTO curates a list of some unmissable, nearby city stops on the Golden Route.

Consisting of numerous islands with a spectrum of unique offerings, the beautiful archipelago of Japan received 1,75,900 Indian travellers in 2019. And among its assortment of destinations to explore and activities to experience, the Golden Route is the most common tourist circuit which leads them to the three cities tour – Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Going off-the-beaten-path, more city stops can be made while on the Golden route that offer four distinct seasons, natural landscapes, heritage sites, local food, colourful culture, and traditions. Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) curates a few unmissable attractions while on the Golden Route :

Kanagawa prefecture

 

JNTO says that the southwest coastal prefecture of Tokyo is the busiest prefecture of Japan after Tokyo – Kanagawa prefecture. The popular getaway destination is home to some great and unique experiences for a weekend getaway from Tokyo City, with a few days to completely enjoy its highlights. Popular tourist spots to start with are Minato Mirai 21 and Chinatown in Yokohama, Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Kotuku-In temple located in Kamakura, Hakone, Odawara, etc. Yokohama Station is directly connected to Tokyo Station and takes less than 40 mins.

Saitama Prefecture

Sharing borders with Tokyo on the northern side, Saitama Prefecture is easily accessible via a well-connected rail and road transportation network. JNTO says that Saitama Prefecture’s northern and western regions are rich in natural beauty, notably the Chichibu area, renowned for its numerous mountains and temples. Whitewater rafting and stunning landscapes are two of the Nagatoro Valley’s most popular attractions. One of the best things to do in Saitama is to visit Kawagoe, an old town filled with charming historical structures including shrines, restaurants, and gift shops. A tour of sake breweries, the Bonsai Museum, the Railway Museum, and the metropolitan area outer underground discharge channel are just a few other popular attractions.

Shizuoka Prefecture

 

JNTO adds that Shizuoka Prefecture in the southwest of Tokyo is known for its beaches, highland resorts, onsen surrounded by nature, marine sports activities, and more. Izu is also a popular day trip destination from Tokyo, while Atami and Ito are two popular resort towns and Atami is a gateway to the Izu peninsula. Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station is the quickest way of getting to Atami. Among the many reasons to visit Atami, is its year-round fireworks displays, lit shoreline, and popular bay cruises. The nearby village of Ito is renowned for being a tranquil vacation destination.

Aichi prefecture

A stopover between Tokyo and Kyoto, Aichi attracts tourists with iconic landmarks such as Nagoya Castle in Nagoya City, the capital of Aichi prefecture. The statement adds that as Japan’s oldest still-standing castle, Inuyama Castle is also a famous historical site. In the Aichi Earth Expo Memorial Park’s newly opened Ghibli Park, some of the studio’s most beloved characters and scenes come to life.

Mie prefecture

The statement adds that situated close to the centre of Japan and easily reachable from major metropolis cities, Mie comprises plains, basin areas, and mountainous regions. Ise-Shima is one of the top spots to experience Japan’s connection to spirituality. Ise Jingu shrine has a rich history and tradition dating back to ancient times and it is a place of great natural beauty, including islands of various sizes. Kumano-Kodo, theme parks like Nagashima Spaland, Ninja Experience are some top attractions. Iga City embraces ninja culture and history to the fullest. In 2004, the Kumano-Kodo, an ancient route of Kumano, was registered as a World Heritage Site as the spiritual site and pilgrimage route of the Kii Mountains. Nabana no Sato Illumination – a family-oriented illuminated theme park with millions of LEDs is located in Kuwana City.

Hyogo prefecture

In the Kansai region of west central Japan, Hyogo Prefecture shares boundaries with Osaka and Kyoto. JNTO says that due to its Chinatown and the ancient western-style homes in Kitano-cho, the busy port city of Kobe has an international, cosmopolitan vibe. It is a lively city with a variety of intriguing museums and entertainment options, and the man-made islands of Port Island and Rokko Island, as well as Himeji, one of Japan’s first castles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nara prefecture

Rich with natural beauty, charming townscapes and national treasures, Nara is less than an hour by train from Kyoto and Osaka, and easily accessible from Tokyo. JNTO says that three World Heritage sites, including historical Nara monuments, Buddhist monuments in the Horyuji Area, and sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range, are located in this ancient city. One of the must-see places in Nara City is the 660-hectare Nara Park, well known for wild deer spotting. Nara Park has a wide variety of temples, shrines, cultural activities, and illuminations all year long.

Wakayama prefecture

JNTO  adds that the Wakayama prefecture is the spiritual heartland of Japan, where nature and spiritual enlightenment interplay. The Nakahechi route, which spans the peninsula from Tanabe City to Shingu City, is the primary route. In this holy area, the Kumano Sanzan—the three major shrines of Kumano—and the Nachisan Seiganto-ji Temple were built and there are numerous subsidiary shrines, also called Oji shrines. River cruises, Nachi waterfall, Nachi Fire festival, kayaking, camping, log rafting, whale watching, and Doro-kyo Gorge are a few of the famous activities. Doro-kyo Gorge is especially stunning in the spring when cherry blossoms have bloomed and again in the autumn when the leaves change colour.