PLANNING A SECOND TRIP TO JAPAN?

Japan is one of those countries that gets under your skin. And once you've been, there's a very good chance you'll want to go back.

On your first visit, you probably followed a fairly familiar route through Japan's main island of Honshu, taking in Tokyo, Kyoto, perhaps Osaka, Hiroshima and Hakone, with a glimpse of Mount Fuji if the weather was feeling cooperative. Which, as anyone who's tried to photograph Mount Fuji will know, isn't always a given.

And quite right too. They're wonderful places to visit, and there's a reason they're on so many first-time itineraries. But if you're considering a second trip to Japan, the question becomes rather more interesting. Where next?

I've visited Japan several times now, and one of the things I love about the country is just how different one region can feel from another. From mountain villages and historic towns to quiet fishing communities, beautiful landscapes and subtropical beaches, there's an enormous amount to discover beyond the classic route. Here are some places I'd encourage you to consider.

There's Still Plenty of Honshu to Explore

Tohoku – Temples, Islands and a Quieter Side of Japan

Northern Honshu is one of the regions I'd particularly recommend to anyone returning to Japan. Two places that really stood out for me were Yamadera and Matsushima Bay.

Yamadera is a remarkable temple complex perched high on a mountainside in Yamagata Prefecture. Reaching the upper temples involves climbing more than a thousand stone steps through the forest, but the views from the top are worth the effort. Your legs may have a different opinion by the time you get there.

It's a wonderfully atmospheric place, and one of my favourite memories of travelling through this part of Japan.

I also absolutely loved Matsushima Bay, where hundreds of little pine-covered islands are scattered across the water. It's considered one of Japan's three great scenic views, and having been there, I can understand why.

Tohoku has plenty more to offer, particularly if you enjoy beautiful landscapes, traditional culture and places that attract fewer international visitors than Tokyo or Kyoto.

The Tango Peninsula – Ine and Amanohashidate

You don't actually have to travel very far from Kyoto to find somewhere that feels a world away from its busy temples and streets.

The Tango Peninsula, on the northern coast of Kyoto Prefecture, is home to two particularly lovely places.

Ine is a small fishing village famous for its funaya, traditional wooden boathouses built right at the water's edge. Many have boats stored on the ground floor and living accommodation above. It's a wonderfully picturesque place, and I currently have clients visiting Ine who are absolutely loving it.

Nearby Amanohashidate is another of Japan's three great scenic views: a long, narrow, pine-covered sandbar stretching across Miyazu Bay.

This is the sort of region where it's worth slowing down, spending a couple of nights and enjoying a more peaceful side of Japan. Not every day of a holiday needs to involve ticking off another five temples before lunch.

The Japanese Alps – Historic Towns and Mountain Scenery

The Japanese Alps are another part of the country I really loved. One of the great pleasures of travelling through this region is seeing a more rural side of Japan, with traditional wooden buildings, mountain scenery and historic towns where you can sometimes feel as though you've stepped back in time.

Takayama, with its beautifully preserved old streets, is a particular highlight, while the traditional thatched-roof farmhouses of Shirakawa-go offer another glimpse into Japan's past. Then there's Matsumoto, home to one of Japan's most impressive original castles. With its distinctive black exterior and the mountains as a backdrop, it's a magnificent sight.

I'd also recommend exploring the Kiso Valley, where the old Nakasendo Highway once formed part of the route connecting Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo). You can walk a particularly lovely section between the beautifully preserved post towns of Magome and Tsumago, following old paths through forests and small rural settlements.

It's a wonderful way to experience a quieter, more traditional Japan. And considerably more enjoyable when you know your luggage is being transported separately.

There's also Kanazawa, on the western side of Honshu, with its historic districts, beautiful Kenrokuen Garden and samurai heritage.

It's a lovely contrast to the energy of Tokyo and Osaka, and a particularly rewarding area to explore if you enjoy history, culture and countryside.

Beyond Honshu – Discovering Japan's Other Islands

Of course, Japan isn't just Honshu. The country consists of thousands of islands, and some offer experiences so different from the classic Japan itinerary that you could almost feel you're visiting another country.

Hokkaido – Wide Open Spaces and Wonderful Scenery

I visited Hokkaido in February this year, primarily to see the magnificent red-crowned cranes and experience the Sapporo Snow Festival.

It was a fabulous trip, although February in Hokkaido is not the time to discover that you've packed the wrong coat. I came away thinking how much I'd enjoy returning in a completely different season.

Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost main island, known for its vast landscapes, national parks, mountains, lakes and wildlife. In winter, it's a world of snow and ice, but spring and summer offer an entirely different experience. I think it would make a wonderful destination for a self-drive holiday, particularly in summer, when you could explore at your own pace, visit smaller towns, enjoy the countryside and spend time in some of the national parks. In spring and summer, there are also opportunities to see brown bears, deer and foxes, and even take a boat trip in search of orcas off the Shiretoko Peninsula.

For anyone who enjoys nature, wildlife and getting away from the crowds, Hokkaido deserves serious consideration.

Okinawa – A Completely Different Side of Japan

Now for something entirely different.

Head south to Okinawa and the surrounding islands, and you'll discover a Japan that bears little resemblance to the temples, cities and mountain scenery of Honshu. Think subtropical islands, turquoise seas, coral reefs, fabulous beaches and a distinctive culture shaped by the region's history as the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The Okinawa archipelago stretches across a large area, and islands such as Ishigaki and Miyakojima offer some beautiful coastal scenery, along with opportunities for snorkelling, diving and exploring.

I have clients travelling in Japan at the moment who are including Okinawa on their second visit, and I can certainly see the attraction.

It's a particularly interesting option if you'd like to combine a return to some of Japan's cultural highlights with a few days somewhere completely different. And unlike many beach destinations, Okinawa has a fascinating history and identity of its own, so there's much more to it than simply finding a lovely stretch of sand. Although there's nothing wrong with that either.

Naoshima – A Tiny Island with a Big Reputation for Art

Naoshima is a teensy island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea, and it's one of the more unusual places I've visited in the country. It's become internationally renowned for its contemporary art, with remarkable museums, installations and architecture, including work by the celebrated Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

What makes it particularly special is the setting. Art is scattered across the island, sometimes in unexpected places, against a backdrop of small villages and beautiful sea views.

It does take a bit of getting to. Depending on your starting point, you'll need to travel by train and then take a ferry, so it's not somewhere I'd suggest squeezing into an already packed itinerary. Japan's transport system is excellent, but it hasn't quite mastered teleportation.

If contemporary art and architecture interest you, though, it's well worth making the effort. Ideally, I'd allow at least a night on the island rather than trying to rush around on a day trip.

It's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but that's rather the point of a second visit to Japan. You have the opportunity to explore places that particularly appeal to your own interests, rather than feeling you have to tick off the famous sights.

Your Second Trip to Japan Doesn't Have to Be a Complete Reinvention

Of course, returning to Japan doesn't mean you have to avoid everywhere you've already visited.

You might want another few days in Tokyo, revisit Kyoto or return to a favourite ryokan. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But you could combine those familiar places with somewhere entirely new. Perhaps a journey north through Tohoku, a few days exploring the Japanese Alps, a self-drive adventure in Hokkaido or a visit to the islands of Okinawa.

The important thing is to think about what you'd most like to experience this time, rather than simply putting together another itinerary of famous sights.

And with Japan, the season matters too. A destination that's magical in winter can offer a completely different experience in summer or autumn.

Thinking about returning to Japan?

I've travelled extensively in Japan myself and love helping people discover the less obvious parts of the country. If you're considering a second visit but aren't quite sure where to go, I'd be delighted to talk through the possibilities and help you put together a trip that builds on what you loved the first time, while introducing you to somewhere new. Get in touch.