Take a look at these suggestions to see Japan without waiting in line or pushing through people

A Japanese temple complex — **Senso-Ji Temple looking uncharacteristically quiet – but it’s possible | john901 / Shutterstock**

Japan is one of those places that lives in people’s imaginations long before they ever set foot there. Maybe it’s the blinking lights of Shinjuku, the stillness of a Kyoto shrine, or the mouthwatering promise of fresh sushi at dawn. But as more travelers discover the country’s magic, the experience of visiting Japan has changed.

Tourist hotspots like Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing or Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine have become synonymous with overwhelming crowds. For those who want to experience the country without feeling like they’re moving through a human traffic jam, there’s another way. It requires a shift in mindset—letting go of the checklist mentality and embracing a slower, more intentional approach to travel.

Wake Up Early, Stay Out Late

An empty street in Tokyo — See the best sides of Japan first and last thing | **marchello74 / Shutterstock**

The simplest trick to sidestep the crowds? Become a morning person—at least for a little while. Many of Japan’s most famous sites, from the floating torii gates of Miyajima to the bamboo forests of Arashiyama, are stunningly peaceful at dawn. Temples and shrines open early, and for a few blissful hours, you can hear the rustle of leaves instead of the chatter of a hundred tour groups. Witnessing a sunrise over Mount Fuji from a lesser-known viewpoint, like Lake Shoji, feels infinitely more special than jostling for space at a packed observation deck.

For night owls, Japan’s major cities have a different kind of magic after dark. Neighborhoods like Gion in Kyoto, usually packed with tourists hunting for a glimpse of a geisha, empty out late at night, leaving only the glow of lanterns and the sound of footsteps on cobblestone.

In Tokyo, the frenetic energy of places like Akihabara fades after midnight, revealing a side of the city that feels almost cinematic—neon-lit but quiet, as if waiting for the next chapter to unfold. Strolling through Shinjuku Golden Gai, where hole-in-the-wall bars only seat a handful of patrons, provides an intimate look into Tokyo’s nightlife, far removed from crowded izakayas and tourist-filled alleys.

Explore the Underappreciated

Traditional wooden Japanese buildings — Takayama doesn’t draw the same level of crowds as Kyoto, and possibly looks even better | **Sean Pavone / Shutterstock**

Most visitors treat Kyoto and Tokyo like non-negotiables. But Japan is a country where magic happens in unexpected places. Kanazawa, often called “Little Kyoto,” has the same Edo-era charm with a fraction of the tourists. Its well-preserved samurai district and gold leaf-covered everything make it a worthy alternative for travelers looking for history and elegance without the foot traffic. Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s top three traditional gardens, feels infinitely more peaceful in comparison to Kyoto’s better-known spots.

Further into the mountains, Takayama feels like stepping into a storybook, with its preserved merchant streets and morning markets. It’s one of the best places to experience a traditional ryokan stay, complete with an onsen soak and a multi-course kaiseki dinner that rivals anything in Kyoto. Meanwhile, Matsuyama on Shikoku Island is home to Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot springs. Unlike the packed baths of Hakone, this one offers a more relaxed experience, especially in the quieter morning hours.

For those looking for an island escape, the Seto Inland Sea is home to Naoshima, an art island where contemporary installations blend seamlessly with the landscape. Nearby, Teshima and Inujima offer similar artistic escapes without the tourist buzz. Even in popular destinations, veering off the main path can yield hidden surprises—a secluded shrine in Nara, a quiet street in Kamakura, a neighborhood in Osaka where locals outnumber visitors.

Read next: Hidden Kyoto

Go Rural for a Different Side of Japan

Cobblestone road through woods — The cobblestone road of the Nakasendo Trail | **Lecker Studio / Shutterstock**

Cities get most of the attention, but Japan’s rural areas offer some of the most rewarding travel experiences. The Nakasendo Trail, an old postal route that once connected Kyoto and Tokyo, is a dream for travelers who want a mix of history and nature. Walking between preserved post towns like Magome and Tsumago is like stepping into a time machine, except with better food—expect locally made soba noodles and warm hospitality at tiny family-run inns.

For those willing to venture further, the Iya Valley on Shikoku is one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. Steep gorges, vine bridges, and traditional thatched-roof farmhouses make it feel worlds away from the bullet train rush. It’s one of the few places in Japan where you can feel truly alone with nature, whether you're soaking in an outdoor onsen overlooking the valley or hiking through misty mountains. Yamagata’s Ginzan Onsen, a historic hot spring town, offers another fairytale-like setting, especially in winter when snow drapes over wooden ryokan buildings and steam rises into the frigid air.

Eat Where the Locals Eat

Food stall in Tokyo, Japan at night — Heading a little further off the tourist trails almost always results in amazing food experiences | **Marcus Morgan / Shutterstock**

Food in Japan is one of the country’s greatest draws, but the best meals aren’t always in the places with the longest lines. Instead of waiting an hour for ramen at a hyped-up Tokyo spot, duck into a small shop with no English menu—you might just have the best bowl of your life. Izakayas in residential neighborhoods, far from tourist hubs, serve grilled fish and sake to locals who have been coming for decades. The best sushi? It’s not necessarily in Tokyo’s fancy omakase spots, but in small coastal towns like Kanazawa, where the fish goes from sea to plate in a matter of hours.

Japan’s convenience store food culture is also vastly underrated. A Lawson egg salad sandwich or a perfectly seasoned onigiri from 7-Eleven can be a revelation, proving that even fast food in Japan is an experience worth savoring. For travelers with time, exploring regional specialties—Hida beef in Takayama, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, or Sanuki udon in Kagawa—adds another delicious layer to the journey.

Travel With the Seasons

A snowy golden pagoda — Skipping cherry blossom season is an easy way to avoid endless crowds and crazy hotel room prices | **Santori.93 / Shutterstock**

Most people visit Japan in spring for cherry blossoms or in autumn for red maple leaves, but those are also the busiest times. There’s something special about Japan in the off-season. Winter brings quiet temples dusted with snow, steaming bowls of hot pot, and open-air onsen with views of frost-covered mountains. Summer, while humid, is festival season—think fireworks, street food, and traditional dances that only happen once a year. Traveling outside of peak season means fewer crowds, lower prices, and a different kind of beauty that most visitors miss.

If you like winter sports, then Niseko, Hakuba, or Zao Onsen offer skiing and snowboarding that rival some of the best in the world. Autumn in the Japanese Alps brings crisp air and golden foliage, making places like Kamikochi and Kurobe Gorge unforgettable. Even the rainy season in June has its charms, with hydrangea blooming at temples and an eerie stillness in Kyoto’s moss gardens.

Hire a Local Expert Tour Guide

A tour group in Japan — A local tour guide will help you to avoid the busiest places and times | **metamorworks / Shutterstock**

If you really want to go beyond the usual tourist sights, hiring a local guide is a game-changer. A knowledgeable, well-connected guide can turn what would be a simple stroll into an experience packed with insider stories and hidden gems. Forget the crowded sightseeing tours—this is your ticket to discovering family-owned tea houses, tucked-away shrines, and hole-in-the-wall izakayas where the regulars greet the owner by name.

In Kyoto, a private guide can walk you through the rituals of a temple visit, shedding light on centuries-old traditions while leading you through the narrow backstreets of Gion where few visitors venture. Tokyo’s best food guides will take you on a ramen odyssey, navigating tiny alleyways to find the city’s most underrated noodle shops, or whisk you away to lesser-known sake breweries that feel like stepping into a time capsule. For outdoor lovers, hiring a guide in the Japanese Alps can transform a scenic hike along the Nakasendo Trail into a journey through history, complete with tales of feudal Japan and samurai resting spots.

More than just avoiding tourist traps, a guide can open doors—literally and figuratively—to experiences you’d never have on your own. Locals love sharing their culture with those who genuinely appreciate it, and having a guide smooths over language barriers and cultural nuances, making interactions more personal. Whether it’s learning how to make soba noodles with a master chef, sharing tea with a potter in his workshop, or hiking a trail that few travelers know about, hiring a guide can turn a great trip into an unforgettable one.

Embrace the Art of Slowing Down

A woman in a bamboo forest — Take your time and don’t rush to the next attraction like a sheep – hang back and let the groups disperse | **noina / Shutterstock**

It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of seeing everything, but some of the best moments in Japan happen when you do less. Sitting in a traditional teahouse, watching steam rise from a cup of matcha, or wandering down a side street with no particular destination—these are the experiences that stick. Taking time to pause and listen to the rhythm of everyday life, whether it’s an elderly couple tending to their tiny urban garden or a street musician playing the shamisen under the soft glow of lanterns, can be more fulfilling than rushing through the big-name attractions.

Slowing down allows for unexpected encounters—a chat with a local artisan in a back-alley workshop, discovering a tiny bookstore filled with vintage manga, or stumbling upon a hidden neighborhood festival where children parade in handmade costumes. The best stories often come from unplanned detours, from simply saying yes to an invitation or following the scent of grilled yakitori down a quiet side street.

Japan doesn’t have to be a race to check off bucket list spots. The most rewarding way to see the country is to step away from the crowds, embrace the quiet moments, and let Japan reveal itself in its own time. Whether it’s lingering over a perfectly brewed cup of tea, watching the sunset over a rice field, or sharing a laugh with a stranger at a tiny sake bar, the magic of Japan often lies in the spaces in between the must-see sights.