7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer
7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Explore the Ancient Cedar Forests of Yakushima Island
Yakushima Island's ancient cedar forests, home to some of the oldest trees in Japan, offer a unique and off-the-beaten-path destination for solo travelers visiting Japan this late summer.
The island's primeval forests, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, are a testament to the country's natural wonders.
Visitors can explore the lush vegetation and dramatic coastlines, influenced by the warm Kuroshio Current, through numerous hiking trails and nature parks like Yakusugi Land.
The Yakusugi cedars found on the island are believed to be among the oldest living trees in the world, with some specimens estimated to be over 7,000 years old.
These ancient trees have survived multiple ice ages and volcanic eruptions.
Yakushima Island's forests are considered a "living fossil" as they contain plant species that date back to the Tertiary period, over 65 million years ago, providing a glimpse into Japan's prehistoric flora.
The island's unique microclimate, influenced by the warm Kuroshio Current, supports the growth of these ancient cedars by providing high levels of precipitation and humidity year-round, creating an almost perpetual "cloud forest" environment.
Interestingly, the trees on Yakushima exhibit a phenomenon known as "strip bark," where the outer bark peels away in long strips, exposing the inner bark and creating a visually striking appearance.
Researchers have discovered that the Yakusugi cedars possess an exceptionally high resistance to decay and insect infestations, contributing to their remarkable longevity and the preservation of the island's primeval forests.
Despite their age, the Yakusugi cedars continue to grow at a rate of approximately 1-2 millimeters per year, showcasing their remarkable adaptability and resilience in the face of environmental changes over millennia.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Explore the Ancient Cedar Forests of Yakushima Island
- 7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Discover the Unique Sand Dunes of Tottori Prefecture
- 7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Wander Through the Moss-Covered Forests of Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan
- 7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Experience Traditional Ama Diving Culture in Toba, Mie Prefecture
- 7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Hike the Volcanic Landscapes of Aso-Kuju National Park in Kyushu
- 7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Visit the Remote Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan
- 7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Relax in the Secluded Hot Springs of Nyuto Onsen, Akita Prefecture
7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Discover the Unique Sand Dunes of Tottori Prefecture
The Tottori Sand Dunes offer a unexpected desert-like landscape in Japan, stretching 16 kilometers along the Sea of Japan coast.
As part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, these ever-changing dunes provide unique activities for solo travelers, including camel rides and sand sledding.
The Tottori Sand Dunes, spanning 16 kilometers along the coast, are not naturally occurring but were formed by sediment deposits from the nearby Sendai River over thousands of years.
The dunes' topography is constantly changing, with wind patterns causing the sand to shift up to several meters per year, presenting challenges for consistent mapping and study.
In 2006, a rare species of tiger beetle, Cicindela anchoralis, thought to be extinct in Japan, was rediscovered in the Tottori Sand Dunes.
The Sand Museum adjacent to the dunes features intricate sand sculptures created by international artists, with exhibitions changing annually and sand recycled for each new display.
Contrary to popular belief, the Tottori Sand Dunes are not a desert; they receive an average annual rainfall of 1,900 mm, which is higher than many forested areas in Japan.
The dunes serve as a natural laboratory for researchers studying aeolian processes, with wind tunnel experiments conducted on-site to better understand sand transport mechanisms.
7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Wander Through the Moss-Covered Forests of Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan
As you wander through the 200,000 tombstones, the flickering light of stone lanterns guides your path, inviting introspection and a deep connection with Japanese Buddhist culture.
Okunoin Cemetery houses over 200,000 tombstones, making it the largest cemetery in Japan.
The sheer scale of this spiritual site is a testament to its historical and cultural significance.
The cemetery's oldest sections contain graves dating back to the 9th century, providing a unique glimpse into over a millennium of Japanese funerary practices and architectural styles.
Okunoin is home to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, who is believed to be in eternal meditation rather than deceased.
This belief has contributed to the cemetery's enduring spiritual importance.
The moss covering the tombstones and forest floor is not just aesthetically pleasing but also serves as a natural air purifier, absorbing pollutants and improving air quality in the area.
The cemetery features a unique "Hall of Lamps" where 10,000 lanterns are kept eternally lit, powered by donations from devotees.
This creates a mesmerizing atmosphere, especially during nighttime visits.
Okunoin's forest is primarily composed of Japanese cedar trees, some of which are over 600 years old.
These trees contribute to the area's microclimate, maintaining higher humidity levels that support the growth of diverse moss species.
The cemetery contains several unusual monuments, including a memorial shaped like a rocket ship dedicated to Japanese aerospace workers and a monument in the form of a giant coffee cup commemorating workers in the coffee industry.
Recent archaeological studies have uncovered evidence of pre-Buddhist burial practices within Okunoin, suggesting that the site held spiritual significance even before the establishment of the cemetery in the 9th century.
7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Experience Traditional Ama Diving Culture in Toba, Mie Prefecture
Experience the centuries-old tradition of Ama diving in Toba, Mie Prefecture, where women free-dive into the ocean to collect seafood and marine resources.
Visitors can witness adrenaline-pumping diving demonstrations at Mikimoto Pearl Island and even participate in tours to learn about this unique profession.
Beyond diving, Toba offers a rich cultural experience with the nearby Ise Jingu Shrine and opportunities to savor freshly caught seafood while immersing in the area's coastal heritage.
Ama divers can hold their breath for up to two minutes and dive to depths of 30 meters without using any breathing apparatus.
The traditional Ama diving technique involves using a wooden bucket to create buoyancy and a special weighted belt to aid in descending quickly.
Ama divers have developed a unique whistling technique called "isobue" to equalize pressure in their ears during dives, which produces a haunting sound underwater.
The white attire worn by Ama divers, called "isogi," was originally designed to ward off sharks, as it was believed to make the divers less visible in the water.
Ama diving has been practiced for over 2,000 years, with evidence of the profession dating back to the Jomon period (14,000-300 BCE).
The number of Ama divers has decreased dramatically from around 17,000 in the 1950s to fewer than 2,000 today, making it a rapidly disappearing tradition.
Ama divers have developed their own sign language to communicate underwater, using hand signals to indicate the presence of marine life or potential dangers.
The Ama diving profession has traditionally been passed down from mother to daughter, with some families boasting up to 55 generations of Ama divers.
Recent studies have shown that Ama divers have larger lung capacities and more efficient oxygen utilization compared to the general population, likely due to their unique diving practices.
7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Hike the Volcanic Landscapes of Aso-Kuju National Park in Kyushu
Aso-Kuju National Park in Kyushu, Japan is known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, featuring the expansive Aso Caldera, one of the largest in the world.
The park offers several challenging hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the Nakadake Crater and other volcanic features, showcasing the region's geological wonders.
The Aso Caldera in Aso-Kuju National Park is one of the largest calderas in the world, measuring 18 kilometers wide and 25 kilometers long.
The park is home to the Nakadake crater, which is the highest mountain in the park at 1,791 meters and is still an active volcano.
The Mount Takadake hike, which starts from the Aso Park toll road and passes through the Mount Nakadake crater, is a popular trekking route within the park.
The Mount Karakuni hike in the nearby Kirishima Mountain Range offers stunning views of a volcanic crater, providing an alternative hiking experience in the region.
The Aso-Kuju National Park is often referred to as the "Land of Volcanoes" due to the high concentration of volcanic peaks and active volcanoes within its boundaries.
Researchers have discovered that the rocks and soil in the park contain high levels of selenium, which is believed to contribute to the lush vegetation and diverse plant life found in the area.
The park's volcanic landscapes have been shaped by numerous eruptions and tectonic activities over the millennia, resulting in a dynamic and ever-changing terrain.
The Aso-Kuju National Park is a popular destination for geologists and volcanologists studying the formation and evolution of large calderas and their associated volcanic systems.
The hiking trails in the park can be challenging, with steep inclines and uneven terrain, but the breathtaking views of the volcanic peaks and caldera make the effort worthwhile.
The park's location in Kyushu, one of Japan's southernmost main islands, contributes to its unique microclimate, supporting a diverse array of flora and fauna adapted to the volcanic environment.
7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Visit the Remote Oki Islands in the Sea of Japan
These remote islands, designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark, boast stunning landscapes ranging from deep stone gorges to ancient woodlands and timeless Kazurabashi vine bridges.
Visitors can indulge in fresh seafood, explore rugged terrain, and enjoy breathtaking views from Mount Akahage or the striking Sekiheki Red Cliff.
Dogo, Nishinoshima, Nakanoshima, and Chiburijima.
The islands were formed by volcanic activity approximately 6 million years ago, resulting in unique geological formations like columnar joints and sea caves.
The Oki Islands are home to the rare Oki salamander (Hynobius okiensis), found nowhere else in the world.
The islands' isolation has led to the preservation of ancient traditions, including bull sumo wrestling known as "Oki Zen."
The Oki Islands were once a place of political exile for emperors and nobles during Japan's classical period, including Emperor Go-Toba in the 13th century.
The islands feature Japan's only known underwater ancient forest, discovered in 2012 off the coast of Dogo Island.
Oki beef, raised on the islands, is prized for its marbling and flavor, rivaling more famous varieties like Kobe beef.
The Oki Islands have some of the clearest waters in Japan, with visibility reaching up to 25 meters in some areas.
The islands are part of the Daisen-Oki National Park and were designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in
The Oki Islands are home to the Dankyū, a traditional fishing method using a fixed net system that dates back over 400 years.
The islands experience a unique microclimate due to the warm Tsushima Current, allowing for the cultivation of both warm and cold-climate plants in close proximity.
7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for Solo Travelers in Japan This Late Summer - Relax in the Secluded Hot Springs of Nyuto Onsen, Akita Prefecture
The water temperature of the hot springs in Nyuto Onsen ranges from 38°C to 50°C (4°F to 122°F), with each onsen facility offering a unique mineral composition.
The beech forests surrounding Nyuto Onsen are over 300 years old and play a crucial role in maintaining the area's water quality by acting as a natural filtration system.
Tsurunoyu Onsen, the oldest ryokan in Nyuto Onsen, dates back to 1638 and still maintains its original thatched-roof architecture.
The milky white color of some hot springs in Nyuto Onsen is due to the high concentration of silica, which forms a colloidal suspension in the water.
Nyuto Onsen's hot springs are fed by underground aquifers that can reach depths of up to 1,500 meters below the surface.
The area experiences an average annual snowfall of 3 meters, creating a unique winter bathing experience where visitors can soak in outdoor baths surrounded by snow-covered landscapes.
Nyuto Onsen's water has a pH level ranging from 5 to 5, making it suitable for various skin types and contributing to its reputation for skin-beautifying properties.
The hot springs in Nyuto Onsen have a flow rate of approximately 4,000 liters per minute, ensuring a constant supply of fresh mineral-rich water.
Recent geological studies have revealed that the hot spring water in Nyuto Onsen originates from rainwater that fell over 1,000 years ago, slowly percolating through layers of rock before resurfacing.
The area around Nyuto Onsen contains several rare plant species, including the Akita-fuki (a type of butterbur) and the Nyuto-shakunage (a variety of rhododendron), both of which are endemic to the region.
Nyuto Onsen's location within the Towada-Hachimantai National Park provides visitors with access to over 50 kilometers of hiking trails, offering opportunities to explore the area's diverse ecosystems and geological features.