Discover 10 Unique Spots Around Kyoto and Osaka That Locals Love

10 Hidden Gems Near Kyoto and Osaka Worth the Trip

Planning a Japan trip but want to avoid the same spots every tourist hits? I lived in Osaka for 3 years and spent nearly every weekend exploring the underrated corners of Kansai. These are my top 10 picks for low-key but unforgettable adventures just outside Kyoto and Osaka.

1. Okagawara and Ise Jingu

Start with a walk through Okagawara, a charming street of preserved traditional buildings filled with cafes and shops. At the end, you’ll reach Ise Jingu, one of the most sacred shrines in Japan. You can’t see the actual shrine building because it's considered too holy, but the temple grounds are absolutely stunning. From Osaka or Kyoto, it takes about 2.5 hours. Just hop a train to Isuzuawa Station, then take a short bus to Jingu Kaikon-mae.

2. Funaya Fishing Village

Funaya, in the town of Ine, is a coastal village lined with 230 boat houses that once stored fishing boats. Now they’re cafes, tiny museums, and guesthouses. There’s not a lot to do here, which is the whole point. It’s a slow travel dream. Getting there from Kyoto takes about 3.5 hours. Take the train to Miyazu Station, then a bus to Ine.

3. Kinosaki Onsen Town

A rare tattoo-friendly onsen town, Kinosaki is packed with traditional inns and seven public baths. You can get a day pass for around 1,500 yen to visit them all. Goshono-yu is a crowd favorite. There's even a real-time capacity meter online so you can avoid the crowds. From Kyoto, take the train to Kinosaki Onsen Station in about 2 hours and 50 minutes.

4. Koyasan (Mount Koya)

This mountain town is one of the most spiritually important places in Japan. With cool mountain air, peaceful cemeteries, and ancient temples, it feels like stepping into another world. To reach it, take a train to Gokurakubashi Station, a cable car to Koyasan Station, and then a short bus ride to the main temple area.

5. Adventureland Off-Road Park

This off-road adventure park is wild in the best way. Owned by a guy known as "Boss," it's not accessible by public transport, but you can drive there in about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Osaka. When I visited, Boss handed me mushrooms through the car window and took us off-roading in an old military Hummer. It even played the Indiana Jones theme song. Absolute chaos. Total fun.

6. Totsukawa Village and Cooa Mura

Totsukawa is a peaceful mountain village filled with waterfalls, forest trails, onsen, and one of my favorite spots in Japan. Cooa Mura, also called the “Village in the Sky,” is part nature park, part relaxation zone. Think hammocks, tea spots, treehouses, and rope swings. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Osaka. Public transport is limited, but tour companies can take you there.

7. Kumano Hongu Taisha Area

This area is full of spiritual and natural beauty. Kumano Hongu Taisha is home to one of the largest torii gates in Japan. Nearby Yunomine Onsen lets you cook eggs in hot spring water. Even better, Kawayu Onsen allows you to dig your own hot pool in the riverbed. Dorokyo Gorge is just around the corner and is usually completely empty. Travel involves a train to Kii-Tanabe Station and a bus to Hongu Taisha. The trip takes about 4 hours.

8. Nachi Falls

Nachi no Taki is the tallest waterfall in Japan. It sits next to a beautiful shrine and a five-story pagoda. It looks like a postcard and is even better in real life. You can combine it with Kumano area stops for a perfect day. Travel time from Osaka or Kyoto is long—about 3.5 to 4.5 hours—but totally worth it.

9. Akame 48 Waterfalls

Located 1 hour and 45 minutes from Osaka, this spot features a 3.3-kilometer hiking trail with around 23 visible waterfalls. It’s perfect for beginner hikers and offers a cool forest escape from city heat. Train to Akameguchi Station, then take a short bus to the trailhead.

10. Lake Biwa and Omi Hachiman

Lake Biwa is Japan’s largest freshwater lake and feels like a beach destination. You can swim, paddleboard, or just chill at Nakahama Beach. There’s also Shirahige Shrine with a giant torii gate standing in the water. Omi Hachiman, a nearby canal town, offers cute streets and cherry blossoms in spring. One of my favorite memories is paddleboarding under the blossoms. The lake area is easy to reach from Kyoto by train.

Why These Trips Matter

Most people only visit Japan once or twice in their life. These places help you avoid tourist traps, support local communities, and create unforgettable memories. Each spot is unique, peaceful, and a reminder that the real magic happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

Sample 1-Week Itinerary

• Day 1 and 2: Okagawara and Ise Jingu
• Day 3: Funaya coastal village
• Day 4: Kinosaki Onsen
• Day 5 and 6: Road trip to Koyasan, Totsukawa, and Adventureland
• Day 7: Wrap up at Lake Biwa and Omi Hachiman

Each of these places gives you a totally different vibe. Whether it’s swinging in the treetops, dipping into river onsen, or hiking past ancient waterfalls, this is the kind of Japan you’ll never forget.

Stay curious and keep exploring the road less traveled with Woke Waves Magazine.

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