Japan: Off the beaten path on Honshu Island (Nagano, Hagi and Tottori)
Japan is a country I’ve dreamed of exploring for several years due to the rich culture and delicious food (I’m addicted to sushi and noodles). But I wanted to get off the beaten path and experience lesser known places that aren’t crawling with tourists. That’s how my mother and I ended up on the G Adventures Backroads of Japan tour, which begins in Tokyo and ends in Kyoto, but also includes Nagano, Matsumoto, Otsu, Tottori and a two night homestay in Hagi, which was definitely a highlight.
I really encourage people that want to visit Japan to get out of the cities and into some of the rural areas that are off the beaten path. That’s where you can really get a feel for what life is like in Japan and have some unique encounters with the friendly locals who are proud to share their culture with foreigners.