[rPlayer6554]

I’m going to Japan in a week and I’m doing 1 week Tokyo, 2 days Nakasendo trail, 1 week Kyoto, 2 days Hiroshima. (Plus a day leftover I haven’t decided what to do with)

Do people have tips to find less touristy but still worthwhile places to go. Tourists go for these big places because traveling to Japan costs quite a bit and I’m using limited vacation time. Planning the trip in a location where the language doesn’t even have the same characters and I don’t have many familiar geographical reference points that coordinate with known cultural themes (unlike Europe) is already a bit overwhelming.

[Larrikin]

If this is your first and possibly only trip, do not try to be too cool. Go to the famous places you've heard about and want to see, especially if you don't speak the language and your ability to get local recommendations will be limited.

Just don't fully pack the day and save time for randomly walking around, especially at night when a not sober Japanese person will be more likely to try out their English and give a recommendation. Your ability to get information and meet people will exponentially increase with every single Japanese word you learn. When I lived there meetup was popular and international parties set you up with people specifically there to practice in a fun environment.

I'm lucky and got to study there and live there. But definitely had regrets my first time going by taking the advice of jaded people who lived there saying things like Tokyo Tower is lame and you can get a better view from some government building. They had all gone and had the experience and I just missed out.

Also,personally I would find a week in Kyoto 6 days too long and find Osaka way more interesting. But I also have been many times and only enjoyed the first time.

[Schiendelman]

The main tip I have: Walk a block off the main street. Don't plan too much. Don't try to go to most of the main tourist spots, instead see neighborhoods. Go to bed early and wake up early - walk neighborhoods at 7am instead of 11am.

[SenHeng]

If you’re doing the nakasendo then just skip Kyoto and stick around in Matsumoto. Head north to Azumino/Tateshina or south to Suwa.

https://www.go-nagano.net/en/trip-idea/id16492

Forgot to mention, the uncharacteristically warm and long summer meant there hasn’t been enough food in the forests and bears have been coming into towns to forage. Lots of people have been hurt and killed by bears this year. Up 2.7 times according to the news today. Be careful when hiking anywhere secluded.