The whole idea of a ‘hidden’ Japan seems slightly ridiculous, doesn’t it. Arguably the most advanced infrastructure in the world, out-of-the-way people like the Ama pearl diving women in Ise prefecture going viral, and thousands of social media influencers obsessing about everything from 12-seater ramen shops to the beauty of a remote ryokan (Japanese spa hotel)…. It feels like all bases are covered. Except in my experience there are still more layers to uncover….
Tashirotai Wetlands is a five hour bullet train ride from Tokyo to Aomori at the northern tip of Honshu (the main island of Japan). Its’s then a bus and another bus and a cable car up to an almost primordial fecundity, boardwalked and ready for visitors… but I was the only soul there.
Sunset and mist started to roll in on my reverie and I realised I’d completely lost track of time, Hastening my way back to the cable car I was very relieved to see the guys had kept it for me. Several slight bows and sumimasens (excuse me) granted me a pardon for the capital sin of tardiness. Unbeknownst to me, the cable car guys had told the one remaining cab driver in the car park to hold out for me.
The taxi driver revelled in telling me the haunted history of Mt Hakkoda on the way back down to relative normality, then only asked a mere ¥2,000 for the experience as he’d been going back to town anyway….
That’s what I call hidden Japan. With my detailed itinerary and unlimited follow-up support by email and WhatsApp, you can get this far off the beaten track if you wish. Get I touch and let’s start planning your Japan adventure.
JapanMan 