Japan Off the Beaten Path with Kids

Last Updated on August 13, 2024 by Kay

Looking for ideas about where to go off the beaten path with kids in Japan?

As a long-term resident of Japan, I’ve been to over forty prefectures so far and found that every single one has its own uniqueness that warrants a visit. I’ve also seen the changes in major cities ever since Japan became an international tourist hotspot over the last few years.

Recently, I’ve been bombarded with articles about overtourism in Japan. Many people (understandably) go to the same places in Japan, primarily Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and the number of tourists is starting to become overwhelming for not only locals but tourists as well.

I don’t blame people for going to these cities. They’re famous for a reason and if this is your first trip to Japan, of course you want to see the highlights (and you should!). And with this in mind, I hope the government will work towards improving tourism infrastructure in these cities so that everyone is happy.

However, if you want to experience Japan off the beaten path with your kids, here are my personal recommendations about where to visit.

I’ll be adding to this list whenever I have a new article out about a not-so-busy place in Japan that I want to recommend to other parents so make sure to bookmark this article!

 

Where to Visit in Japan Off the Beaten Path with Kids

Here are my top picks about where to visit with kids in Japan if you’re looking for somewhere less crowded but still worth visiting.

Kansai Region

If you want to escape Kyoto and Osaka for a day or two (or even more), consider these places.

Wakayama Prefecture

Despite living in Japan for a decade, I hadn’t thought much about Wakayama Prefecture until I moved to Osaka.

My family decided to visit during the summer and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. It’s not only beautiful since it’s surrounded by the ocean and filled with lush green mountains and stunning valleys, but there’s also a lot for kids to do! It’s especially good to visit if your kid likes animals and marine life, and if you enjoy seafood. (It has some of the best seafood in Japan!)

Wakayama is easy to visit from Kyoto and Osaka, so if you’re in those cities, consider visiting these places in Wakayama:

• Shirahama
• Kumano Kodo

Arima Onsen

This is one of my favorite places to visit with my family. It’s a popular tourist town with locals in Japan so it can be somewhat crowded but it’s still quite empty compared to places like Kyoto.

I have an article all about visiting Arima Onsen with kids so please give it a read!

Kinosaki Onsen

Another favorite of mine, I fell in love with this little onsen town when I first visited last winter.

Although it’s famous in Japan, there weren’t that many people when I visited during winter. To learn more about planning a trip to Kinosaki Onsen, read this article.

Awaji Island

This is a gem in Kansai and one of my favorite places to visit with my family. There are not many people, lots of nature, and plenty for kids to do. It’s located about an hour from Kobe.

I’ve written an article about exploring Awaji Island with kids so please check it out!

Hyogo Prefecture

I’m unsure how many people know about places to go to in Hyogo Prefecture apart from Kobe. And there’s so much to see and do that it’s a shame!

I’ve written an article about my favorite spots to take my daughter in Hyogo Prefecture, including Kobe City, and I highly recommend giving it a read.

Chugoku Region

Kurashiki

This tiny town in Okayama Prefecture is filled with history and a nice, relaxed place to enjoy with the family. It’s not too far from Osaka and can easily be reached by Shinkansen and a local train in about an hour (from Kyoto it’s an hour and a half).

Read my article about my trip to Kurashiki with my family to learn more about this lovely town.

Okinawa

I love Okinawa, which is an island paradise in Japan. I’ve been both before and after my daughter was born and I have enjoyed it every time.

I’ve written an article about vacationing in Okinawa with my family, so feel free to take a look at it!

Kanto Region

Here are places off the beaten path to visit with kids around Tokyo.

Chiba Prefecture

Many families choose to live in Chiba due to its affordability yet proximity to Tokyo. Chiba is easy to get to and a nice place to visit to escape the crowds. There’s lots of nature as well, including beaches the further out you travel!

I’ve written an article about fun places to visit in Chiba with kids, based on my experience, which you may want to take a look at.

Saitama Prefecture

This is another prefecture that borders Tokyo and is easy to visit with kids. It’s especially recommended if you like to do activities in nature since there are lots of forests.

I have an article about what to do in Saitama with kids and most of the places covered shouldn’t be too crowded. However, keep in mind that since there are a lot of families living in Saitama, you might not see many tourists but you may encounter lots of local kids!

Ibaraki Prefecture

I’m a big fan of Ibaraki Prefecture due to its food and nature. It’s a great place to visit to escape Tokyo and explore the countryside.

To learn more, read my article on what to do with kids in Ibaraki.

Tochigi Prefecture

Tochigi is primarily known for Nikko, a town boasting temples and shrines that are World Heritage Sites. Although this place is undoubtedly popular with both domestic and international tourists, I still recommend visiting it as well as other kid-friendly spots that are far less likely to be crowded.

I cover all of these places in my article on Tochigi with kids.

Gunma Prefecture

One of my favorite prefectures in Japan, it’s no wonder that many people from Tokyo like to visit here when they need a break.

However, I’ve never really felt that even popular tourist spots were crowded. I’m going to be honest, though, I don’t know how much this has changed with the post-pandemic travel boom.

If you’re interested in visiting Gunma, read my article about kid-friendly spots to visit.

Tips to Avoid Popular Tourist Spots and Crowds in Japan

If you’re wondering how to avoid places that are tourist hotspots in Japan and may be crowded, here are my recommendations:

• Read reviews on Google Maps
  There’s a good chance that if people are saying a place is crowded, it likely is.
• Explore the backstreets 
  Try to throw out itineraries and just explore. Some of my favorite memories with my daughter are of when we first moved to Osaka from Tokyo and explored the backstreets in Kyoto and Osaka. You can find a lot of cute shops and restaurants. I also like looking at all the different kinds of houses. (But I implore you, fellow parent, please do not go to Nishinari with kids in Osaka, that is not a kid-friendly neighborhood.)
• Avoid anywhere that’s trending on social media
  People want to go to trending places and previously unknown spots are becoming overly popular thanks to social media (I’m looking at you, Lawson with the Mount Fuji view). Thousands to millions of people are seeing the same thing and putting it on their Japan itineraries, and what results are crowds.

In terms of avoiding crowds, go somewhere as early in the morning or as late as possible to avoid peak times. This is easier said than done with kids (I’ve found that I’m always late to things, and this was especially true when my daughter was a toddler).

I’ve also found that younger kids don’t really care where they go, just as long as they can have some fun. My daughter hates crowded places so I’m always seeking somewhere that’s not too bad. For instance, I’ve found places in Osaka and Kyoto that aren’t too crowded, which I share in my articles on what to do with kids in each city.

• What to do in Osaka with kids
• What to do in Kyoto with kids

Also, consider traveling during the low season. I share my insights as a local on when I think is the best time to travel to Japan in this article.

Wrap-up: Off the Beaten Path in Japan with Kids

I hope this look at quieter places to visit with kids in Japan has been helpful to you. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, I’ll continue adding to this one whenever I travel to a new place in Japan that I think other families would love as well.

Thanks for reading!