As visitor numbers to Japan continue to surge, many Australian travellers are looking beyond the bright lights of the country’s major cities in search of deeper, more meaningful experiences. Nature, culture and community-led tourism are increasingly shaping the way visitors explore the destination.
Across the country, a growing number of regions are promoting low-impact travel that showcases traditional lifestyles while protecting local environments.
In Kamikatsu, a mountain town in Tokushima Prefecture, visitors are discovering Japan’s first declared zero-waste community, where sustainability is embedded in everyday life. Meanwhile, Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture draws travellers to its ancient cedar forests and carefully managed trekking routes that help preserve its fragile ecosystem.
For those seeking a slower journey, the Kumano Kodo on the Kii Peninsula offer multi-day walks through forested mountains and rural villages, where small inns and local businesses benefit from the steady flow of pilgrims and hikers.
In Hyogo Prefecture, travellers can step into centuries-old bathing culture in the historic hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen. Traditional ryokan inns and seven public bathhouses form the heart of the town’s onsen tradition, which dates back more than 1,300 years. Early morning strolls along Yanagi Dori, the willow-lined canal street, offer a peaceful glimpse of local life before the day’s visitors arrive.
Elsewhere, Ozu in Ehime Prefecture has breathed new life into its historic streets by restoring traditional buildings into boutique accommodation and cultural spaces. Nearby Toyooka is also blending tourism with conservation through programs protecting the endangered Oriental White Stork.
Kinosaki Onsen and Yanagi Dori in a quiet morning in Kinosaki Town, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, on a sunny day in August 2022
Looking ahead, sustainability will take centre stage at Green X Expo 2027, the International Horticultural Expo set to be held in Yokohama, reinforcing Japan’s growing focus on environmentally responsible travel.
For Australian travellers eager to slow down and explore beyond the well-known hotspots, Japan’s quieter regions are offering a new kind of journey, shaped by nature, heritage and community.
