Escaping the Crowds in Japan
- Libby Adams
- Oct 16, 2025
- 3 min read
When visiting Japan for the first time, most people tend to visit the major cities and sites such as the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Osaka Castle in Osaka, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, and plenty of selfies with Mount Fiji in the background.
To give you a perspective on how big Japan is, it is just over three provinces wide. Meaning it would stretch across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and touches a tiny bit of Manitoba.
What if you’ve already done all the major tourist sites but want to experience a quieter side of Japan? Let me introduce you to four small towns outside of four big cities to experience this.
Kawagoe
Distance from Tokyo: About 30 minutes by train
Why Go: Known as “Little Edo,” Kawagoe preserves the feel of 17th-century Japan with its clay-walled warehouses, bell towers, and candy alleys.
Highlights:
• Kurazukuri Street with old merchant houses• The nostalgic Kashiya Yokocho (Penny Candy Alley)• Kitain Temple with pieces of Edo Castle• Local sweet potato treats and traditional crafts
Stay for the peaceful streets, charming cafés, and to feel like you've time-traveled just outside the metropolis.
Uji
Distance from Kyoto: About 20 minutes by train
Why Go: Uji is the birthplace of Japanese green tea and the setting of 'The Tale of Genji.' It’s tranquil, green, and rich with cultural gems.
Highlights:
• Uji Bridge and river walks• Byodo-in Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)• Traditional tea houses and matcha experiences• Genji Monogatari Museum
Uji offers a quiet, poetic contrast to Kyoto’s crowds, especially during spring and fall foliage.
Sakai
Distance from Osaka: About 15 minutes by train
Why Go: Sakai is a port town with a fascinating history tied to trade, tea ceremony, and samurai culture. It’s also home to world-renowned traditional cutlery.
Highlights:
• Ancient keyhole-shaped tombs (Mozu Tombs, UNESCO-listed)• Knife-making workshops and museums• Daisen Park for nature and local history• Chanoyu (tea ceremony) culture connected to Sen no Rikyū
Stay here to experience a slice of Osaka’s rich past without the rush.
Onomichi
Distance from Hiroshima: About 1.5 hours by train
Why Go: Onomichi is a hillside town facing the Seto Inland Sea, with temples, art, and ocean views around every corner. It’s a laid-back, creative escape.
Highlights:
• Temple Walk (25 temples connected by narrow lanes)• Cable car up Mt. Senkoji• Indie cafes and art studios• Start of the Shimanami Kaido cycling route to Shikoku
Onomichi is perfect for travellers craving coastal charm, quiet contemplation, and creative inspiration.
Traveling to Japan doesn’t have to mean staying in the thick of things. These four small towns Kawagoe, Uji, Sakai, and Onomichi, offer a chance to see the country through a quieter, more intimate lens. You'll return with stories most tourists miss and a deeper appreciation for the layers of everyday life in Japan.
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