🇯🇵 A Journey Through Japan, Part II: The Ultimate Guide to Hidden Places and Quiet Escapes

If you haven’t read Part I of my Japan journey, start there before diving into these hidden places

When I came back from my first trip to Japan, people kept asking me: “So, what was your favourite part?” And honestly, I had no answer. Was it Tokyo’s neon nightlife? Kyoto’s calm temples? Osaka’s food streets? The truth is, Japan doesn’t fit in one answer. It’s a country that unfolds slowly, and the more you travel, the more it gives.

So here’s Part II of my journey — exploring places beyond the big cities. From Hiroshima’s Peace Park to snowy Shirakawa-go, these are the destinations that don’t always make the first-time itinerary, but definitely should.

Hiroshima & Miyajima – A Quiet That Stays With You

Hiroshima wasn’t on my “fun” list. But it felt important. Walking through the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima is emotional, but also strangely hopeful. The paper cranes folded by children, the Atomic Bomb Dome, the eternal flame — it’s heavy and healing at the same time.

Then came Miyajima. Just a short ferry ride, but it feels like stepping into a dream. The floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine, deer wandering freely, lanterns glowing at dusk — it’s Japan at its most magical.

Nara – Where Even Deer Bow

Nara is playful in a way few cities are. At Todai-ji Temple, the Great Buddha is breathtaking, but what steals your heart are the deer in Nara Park. They bow to you — literally — before asking for crackers.

Kids laugh, parents laugh, strangers laugh together. That’s Nara: joy wrapped in history.

Takayama & Shirakawa-go – Snow and Silence

Taking the train into Takayama, you feel the Alps getting closer. The old town of Takayama is lined with wooden houses, sake breweries, and shops that feel unchanged for centuries.

But Shirakawa-go… that was something else. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go feels like stepping back in time look like giant origami folded by the gods. In winter, when snow rests on the steep thatched roofs, it feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

Nikko – Shrines Among Trees

Just two hours from Tokyo, Nikko feels different. The Toshogu Shrine is full of ornate carvings and colours, but what stayed with me were the cedar trees, waterfalls, and mountain trails.

It’s the kind of place where spirituality isn’t locked inside temples — it flows through the forest itself.

Hokkaido – Seasons That Take Over

Hokkaido doesn’t follow your schedule; it follows the seasons. Winter brings the Sapporo Snow Festival and some of the world’s best ski slopes. Summer is a sea of lavender in Furano, autumn turns the forests golden, and spring is cherry blossoms without the Tokyo crowds.

And the food? Buttery miso ramen, fresh seafood in Hakodate, soft-serve ice cream in almost every town. Hokkaido doesn’t just give you photos — it gives you Flavors.

Hakone – A Slow Breath

Closer to Tokyo, Hakone feels like a pause button. Hot spring onsens, ropeway rides with Mt. Fuji views, cruises across Lake Ashi, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum — everything here invites you to slow down.

I remember sitting in an onsen, steam curling around me, Fuji in the distance, and thinking: this is what travel is supposed to feel like.

Why Part II Matters

The first time you go to Japan, you chase the highlights: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. And they’re unforgettable. But the second time — or when you wander further — you find the quieter places. Nara. Nikko. Shirakawa-go. Hokkaido. Hakone.

And that’s Japan’s secret. It doesn’t reveal everything at once. It opens slowly, like a book — chapter by chapter, story by story.

And I know I’ve only just read Part II. If you’re curious about what comes next, stay tuned for Part III of my Japan series, where I’ll head to Okinawa, Kyushu, and beyond.