5 Offbeat Destinations In Japan Indian Travellers Are Choosing Over Big Cities

Japan has been a bucket-list destination for many Indians, but there has been a shift in how travellers want to experience it. Today's explorers are seeking experiences that go beyond sightseeing, and Japan has many unexplored destinations that offer exactly this. "As Japan evolves from a seasonal destination to a year-round journey, we're seeing a 15% rise in demand for winter departures between December and February compared to last year, alongside a 10% increase in bookings for next year's cherry blossom season, indicating overall market expansion," says Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings.

Indian Travellers Are Avoiding Crowded Destinations

"This growth is also being driven by Indian travellers opting for longer, more customised itineraries and actively avoiding crowded city centres. As a result, quieter, immersive destinations like Kutchan and Otaru in Hokkaido, tea towns such as Uji and Wazuka, and coastal villages like Ine in Kyoto are seeing rising interest. These places don't just show you Japan, they let you feel it through fragrance, flavour, craft, and community," adds Agarwal, based on data derived from holiday package bookings.

Here Are 5 Offbeat Destinations Worth Exploring In Japan:

1. Uji & Wazuka, Kyoto Prefecture - Japan's Matcha Heartland

South of Kyoto, the tea valleys of Uji and Wazuka are the country's true matcha heartland. In winter, tea fields turn misty and silver, and wooden teahouses radiate warmth - both literal and cultural. This is Japan for travellers who want to sip, savour and understand.

Must-Do Activities

• Walk the tea terraces of Wazuka and learn winter tea foraging with farmers who have produced matcha for generations.
• Take tea-blending or roasting workshops to craft your own matcha profile.
• Taste seasonal dishes like matcha soba, tea-leaf tempura, hojicha hotpots, and warm desserts infused with roasted tea.

Travel Tip: Arrive early, before 9 am, to see the fields touched by winter fog, turning the valley into a scenic painting.

2. Otaru, Hokkaido - A Snowy, Storybook Town

With its European-style canal, old port warehouses, music-box shops, and the scent of fresh seafood steaming into the cold air, Otaru feels like stepping into a winter storybook. Snow gives the city a calm, cinematic quiet that makes you want to stay around for longer than planned.

Must-Do Activities

• Take a winter-only canal cruise and witness romantic, lantern-lit winter views.
• Join glass-blowing workshops with seasonal motifs like snowflakes and icy hues.
• Follow a gourmet trail of cheese fondue, fresh uni bowls, pastries, hot chocolates, and Hokkaido winter seafood.

Travel Tip: Visit during the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival in February, when the city transforms into a glowing maze of icy lanterns.

3. Ine Town, Kyoto - Explore Japan's Traditional Boathouses

Far from ski slopes and cities, Ine's sleepy waterfront village feels timeless. Its iconic funaya - traditional, wooden boathouses built right above the sea - create a poetic winter tableau where water, wood and sky merge into one calm landscape.

Must-Do Activities

• Stay inside a restored funaya with indoor fireplaces and sea-level morning views.
• Join an oyster harvesting session during the peak winter season.
• Glide through twilight waters on a boat tour that reveals how the village glows after dusk.

Travel Tip: Winter is peak seafood season; look for kitchens inside funaya that prepare sashimi and hot seafood stews sourced directly from Ine's fishermen.

4. Yakushima, Kagoshima - A Forest Wrapped In Mist

This subtropical island, known for its ancient cedar forests, looks otherworldly in winter. Mist wraps around thousand-year-old trees, moss glows under filtered sunlight, and waterfalls crash with more force than in summer - creating a mystical, meditative atmosphere.

Must-Do Activities

• Explore forest-breathing walks led by local naturalists.
• Discover night trails dotted with glowing mushrooms in luminous green.
• Soak in rustic seaside hot springs while waves crash onto black volcanic rocks.

Travel Tip: Carry waterproof layers - sudden winter showers make the forest dramatically more beautiful.

5. Kutchan, Hokkaido - A Peaceful Ski Town

Just a short drive from Niseko's buzzing resort hub, Kutchan offers a slower, more authentic winter experience. Powdery landscapes stretch beyond ski lifts, and the town's streets glow warmly with cosy izakayas and family-run soup-curry shops.

Unlike Niseko's luxury resorts, Kutchan feels personal. It's perfect for travellers who want a place where they can ski by day and share stories with locals over steaming bowls of Hokkaido wagyu or seafood hotpot at night.

Must-Do Activities

• Try beginner-friendly ski slopes and community-run snowshoe trails with local guides.
• Warm up in rustic taverns serving buttery wagyu bowls, regional craft beers, and hearty winter stews.
• Explore boutique gear shops and independent cafes where baristas experiment with Hokkaido dairy for ultra-silky lattes.

Travel Tip: Book ski lessons and rentals in advance for better pricing and guaranteed slots.