Enjoy the vibes of Japan’s ‘golden route’ without the crowds with these destination dupes

Dreaming of visiting Japan but don't want to spend your holiday trapped in crowds, waiting in queues to get lunch an not being able to full enjoy the sights? We've compiled a list of destination dupes so you can have the golden route experience without the crowd!

Nagoya

Nagoya, although smaller, has a similar atmosphere to Tokyo. It has a futuristic shopping mall to wander around and enjoy local and international fashion, complete with an illuminated spaceship roof that draws the interest of tourists and locals alike.

Much like Tokyo, Nagoya is also rich in culture, with Nagoya Castle and one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto sites, Atsuta Shrine, so you can enjoy Japan’s history while visiting the city.  

Whilst you’re there, you can’t miss trying some of the local cuisine, including hitsumabushi (grilled eel) and miso katsu, a deep-fried, breaded pork cutlet that’s covered in Hatcho miso sauce. Looking for somewhere to enjoy the delicacies? Downloading TableLog is a great way to find some of the best culinary spots in the city. 

You can travel to Nagoya by train from Tokyo, which takes 1h 33 and costs around £56, making it super accessible. According to Omio’s rail pass calculator, it is the cheapest and most efficient route. 

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is often referred to as ‘little Kyoto’ thanks to its traditional architecture, tea houses and narrow lanes. The city is renowned for gold leaf production, tea ceremonies, and ceramics, and, much like Kyoto, has a reputation for preserving traditional Japanese arts and crafts. 

Some must-do activities in the city include a visit to Kenroku-en Garden and Higashi Chaya District, a stroll through the samurai district and a stop at Omicho Market to sample some of the fresh seafood.

Kyoto, of course, is beautiful, and well worth a visit, but if it’s not your first time in the country, or you just want to enjoy a trip with fewer crowds and less queuing, Kanazawa is a must-visit

Kanazawa is easily reachable from major travel hubs around Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, thanks to the high-speed shinkansen. Trains from Tokyo take around 2h 30m, while trains from Kyoto take around 1h 40m. If you’re flying into Osaka, you can also take a train to Kanazawa in just over 2 hours. 

According to Omio’s rail pass calculator, the cheapest way to travel to Kanazawa is from Kyoto, with trains starting from as little as £30.15.

Fukuoka

Osaka is renowned for its rich food culture and a slightly grittier atmosphere than Tokyo and Kyoto, a quality replicated in Fukuoka. Much like Osaka, Fukuoka is a city that revolves around its rich food culture. It is the birthplace of Tonkotsu ramen, a pork-based broth known and loved all around the world. 

Fukuoka has a super-friendly atmosphere and a bustling nightlife, so it’s great if you’re heading to Japan to experience night markets, karaoke and traditional izakayas. 

You can travel from Tokyo via train to Fukuoka in under 5 hours, from Kyoto in less than two and a half hours and from Osaka in less than 2 and a half hours. According to Omio’s rail pass calculator, the best way to get to Fukuoka is to travel directly from Osaka, with train prices starting at £84.39.

Should you get the JR Pass?

When travelling to Japan, many tourists opt for a JR pass, which can save you money if you’re doing multiple long-distance trips. For this particular route, it actually works out cheaper to buy individual train tickets, rather than a JR pass, with the total coming to around £249.22 rather than £442.64 for the pass. 

For those heading to Japan and wanting to work out the cheapest way to travel, Omio’s rail pass calculator can come in extremely handy.