Japan is having a real moment.
From top trending destination to most sought-after destination, it’s topping list after list for American travelers this year.
But with popularity often comes overtourism. And this is something that the cities in the Golden Triangle (that’s Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto for the uninitiated) are experiencing right now.
Luckily Japan Airlines has a clever solution to this. And as an added bonus, it comes with free domestic flights for American travelers!
Here’s what you need to know!
A Free Domestic Flight For American Travelers
The vast majority of flights from the U.S. to Japan will land in Tokyo. This goes some way towards explaining the popularity of this mega-city.
But Japan Arlines (JAL) has a clever solution to entice travelers away from the capital.
Right now if you take an international flight into Tokyo with Japan Airlines then you can also book a complimentary domestic flight to any destination within Japan for free.
You could even use this offer to spend a day or two in Tokyo, and then explore one of Japan’s lesser-known cities.
If you transit straight to a domestic flight then your ticket is completely free. If you have a stopover in Tokyo then you will pay a $100 surcharge for your flight.
This offer is currently available to travelers from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. It may be rolled out to other countries in the future.
So where should you go?
I’ve written about Japan extensively before, and it’s my favorite country in the world. Of the dozens of countries I’ve visited or lived in, this is the one that’s captured my heart.
These are the 5 top destinations to visit in Japan outside of Tokyo:
Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital city of the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.
It is best known for its beer and for its annual snow festival. If you’re visiting Japan in the winter this isn’t to be missed!
The Sapporo Snow Festival’s ice slides and enormous ice sculptures attract visitors from all over the world.
Because the 1972 Winter Olympics were hosted here, Olympic-standard ski jumps and tracks remain.
Snow sports enthusiasts travel from across Japan to visit Sapporo. And if you don’t share their enthusiasm for snow?
During the spring and summer months, the mountains here are verdant and the landscapes are breathtaking. It’s a great place for hiking.
Okinawa
If I could take advantage of the JAL offer (which sadly as a Brit flying from the UK I can’t) then the place on my Japanese bucket list is Okinawa.
At the other end of the country from Sapporo, Okinawa is in southern Japan and is famed for its pristine white sand beaches.
Snorkeling, surfing, or stand-up paddleboarding – pick your poison because this is a water spot paradise!
For culture vultures that don’t want to get wet, visit Shurijo Castle. This is located in Naha, the largest city on the island of Okinawa.
It is an ornate red Ryukyuan gusuku castle with curving castle walls and well worth visiting to explore the culture and history of the island. Entry costs just 400 yen ($2.78) per adult.
The food in Okinawa is also very different from what you might find in other parts of Japan. Having been heavily influenced by the American military personnel based on the island, you’re going to find fascinating mash-ups of traditional Japanese and American dishes served up here.
Osaka
Although it is a popular city and part of Japan’s ‘golden triangle’ for tourists, I am including Osaka on this list because it is a fascinating place to visit. Neon lit streets, an abundance of street food options, and so much to see and do.
Visit the streets on either side of the canal between Dōtonboribashi Bridge and Nipponbashi Bridge (a region known simply as Dotonbori) at night for a buzzy, bustling party atmosphere and incredible food.
When it comes to things to do in Osaka, some of my favorite activities include riding the Hep 5 Wheel for epic views across the city, wandering around the gardens of Osaka Castle, and visiting Universal Studios Japan.
As an added bonus, Osaka is a great base for taking day trips to Kyoto and Nara. Both can be reached by train from Osaka station in under 30 minutes.
The fastest train from Osaka to Kyoto takes 24 minutes and costs just 580 yen ($4).
Fukuoka
Osaka is known as the kitchen of Japan, but actually Fukuoka a city just as renowned for its delicious cuisine too.
You’ll find this city the north of Kyushu Island and when you’re not eating you’ll be spoilt for choice of cultural things to see and do.
Some of the best attractions in Fukuoka include the Tōchō-ji Temple which contains an incredible 10m wooden Buddha. You can also learn more about the historic lives of the people here in the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum.
If you want to relax and unwind you can visit Maizuru Park, which is a wonderful green space and also contains the remains of Fukuoka Castle.
The city is also known for its beaches, which are another great place to relax and mingle with local people.
Hakodate
This is another city in northern Japan, but you’ll find it to the south of Sapporo.
A city that is fun to explore at any time of the year, one of the main attractions of Hakodate is the chance to visit Mount Hakodate.
This mountain is accessible by foot or on a fun cable car, but you can also reach the top by car if mobility is a concern.
Once you’ve built up an appetite on your climb, visit the Hakodate Asaichi Morning Market, which is a great place to buy seafood, and you can also find abundant street food here.
Finally, explore the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse zone.
This is a great place to buy souvenirs and was the site of some of Japan’s earliest international trade routes.
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