Japan Beyond Tokyo: 6 Unusual Destinations to Explore

When most travelers picture Japan, they imagine Tokyo’s electric nights, Kyoto’s quiet temples, and Osaka’s sizzling street food. But beyond the busy cities lies another Japan — one that hums with mystery and wonder. It’s a place where foxes roam freely, rabbits rule their own island, and a remote valley is guarded by hundreds of handmade dolls.

These are the corners of Japan that few ever see — quiet, haunting, and beautiful in their strangeness. Here are six unusual places that reveal a side of Japan you’ll never forget.

Tottori Sand Dunes

apan is known for its cherry blossoms and endless rice fields, yet few travelers realize it also hides a desert by the sea. In Tottori Prefecture, the sweeping dunes stretch for miles along the coast, their golden curves shaped by strong winds from the Sea of Japan. Standing there feels less like Japan and more like a quiet corner of the Sahara — where you can ride a camel, glide down the slopes on a sandboard, or simply watch the rippling patterns change with every breeze.

Ōkunoshima – Rabbit Island

Hidden away in Hiroshima Prefecture, Ōkunoshima once held a dark secret — it was a military base used to produce chemical weapons. Decades later, the island has rewritten its own story. Now known as Rabbit Island, it’s home to hundreds of friendly bunnies that hop freely through the grass, following visitors with gentle curiosity. The sight feels almost dreamlike, as if you’ve wandered into a quiet fairytale where the past has been softened by fur and sunshine.

Zao Fox Village

Tucked away in the snowy mountains of Miyagi Prefecture, Zao Fox Village feels like stepping into a living folk tale. More than a hundred foxes wander freely through the trees — curious, clever, and utterly unbothered by the people who come to see them. In Japanese mythology, foxes are said to be messengers of the gods, able to slip between the human and spiritual worlds. Watching them up close, you begin to understand why. As one traveller wrote on Reddit, “It’s the most magical chaos I’ve ever seen — foxes everywhere, like a fluffy orange storm.”

Aoshima – Cat Island

Off the coast of Ehime Prefecture lies Aoshima, a sleepy little fishing village with more cats than people. Only a few dozen residents remain, yet hundreds of cats roam the narrow paths, basking in the sun or curling up on fishing boats that no longer sail. The island hums with quiet contentment — a place where time seems to pause for a purr. For cat lovers, it’s a dream come true.

Nagoro – The Valley of Dolls

Hidden deep in Shikoku’s remote Iya Valley lies the tiny village of Nagoro — a place that feels suspended between the living and the departed. Here, hundreds of life-sized dolls sit quietly on benches, tend to forgotten gardens, and fill the classrooms of an abandoned school. The silence feels almost alive, as if the village itself is breathing through its handmade inhabitants.
Each doll was created by Tsukimi Ayano, a local woman who returned home years ago to find her village nearly empty. What began as a single scarecrow to watch over her crops became a lifelong act of remembrance. Every figure she makes represents someone who once lived there — neighbours, friends, and family who moved away or passed on.
Nagoro isn’t just eerie; it’s deeply human. It stands as a tender reminder of how time changes our communities, how memory can take shape in unexpected forms, and how even silence can tell a story. You leave not frightened, but strangely moved — as if you’ve walked through someone’s dream that lingers long after you’re gone.

Hashima Island – The Ghost Island

Just off the coast of Nagasaki lies Hashima Island, an abandoned mining colony better known as “Battleship Island” for its fortress-like appearance. Once home to over 5,000 coal miners and their families, the island was abruptly deserted in the 1970s after the mines closed. Today, crumbling apartment blocks, empty schools, and rusting machinery tell the eerie story of Japan’s rapid industrial rise and fall.
The island has since become a haunting time capsule—so atmospheric that it was featured in the James Bond film Skyfall. Guided boat tours now allow visitors to explore designated areas safely, offering a rare look into Japan’s forgotten industrial past.

Why Staying Connected Matters in Japan’s Hidden Places

Visiting unusual places like these is an adventure, but it also comes with challenges. Public transportation can be confusing, English signage is often limited, and free WiFi is rare in rural areas of Japan. Reliable mobile data makes it easier to navigate, use translation apps, and share your discoveries with the world.

One of the simplest ways to stay connected is with an eSIM. For a convenient and reliable option, many travellers choose the Japan eSIM plans from Mobal. Instead of hunting for SIM cards at convenience stores or carrying bulky pocket WiFi devices, you can install an eSIM before your trip and activate it instantly upon arrival.

Final Thoughts

What makes these places so special is their ability to surprise and delight. Standing on the Tottori Sand Dunes feels like stepping into another continent. Meeting hundreds of playful rabbits or foxes blurs the line between reality and folklore. Walking through Nagoro, where dolls sit silently in abandoned classrooms, is both eerie and profoundly moving. Each destination offers a glimpse into Japan’s diversity, showing how creativity, tradition, and mystery shape its landscapes.

For the adventurous traveller, venturing into these hidden corners is a chance to see Japan in a way few others do. It requires curiosity, flexibility, and sometimes a little extra planning—but the reward is discovering a Japan that feels entirely your own. And with reliable connectivity through an eSIM, even the most remote journeys become easier, whether you need maps, translations, or want to share the magic with friends back home.

Exploring beyond Tokyo is not just about finding unusual places—it’s about experiencing Japan’s deeper character, where wonder often hides in unexpected places.