Discover the stunning coastline of the Sea of Japan.
Creating a travel guide for the Sea of Japan reveals a unique opportunity, as such resources remain surprisingly scarce. The region, often overlooked by travelers for its counterparts on the Pacific side, embodies a slower pace of life and a distinct cultural richness that merits exploration. Many travelers do not typically consider connecting the dots between its diverse and remarkable destinations, despite their captivating allure.
In fact, I suspect the idea won’t appeal to all but the most enthusiastic Japan tourists—those willing to sacrifice the comforts of a traditional Japan trip to discover a higher level of authenticity. Japan veterans have long since booked tickets to the most expensive places on their wish lists.
From the glassy (and often frozen) Otaru Canal in Hokkaido to the vermillion gates of Motonosumi Inari Shrine in warmer climates in Yamaguchi Prefecture, the Sea of Japan Coast is one of the most quintessentially Japanese places you can visit. Here’s how to make sense of it.
Why is the Sea of Japan coast worth exploring?
Looking at a map of the Sea of Japan, you certainly won’t see many big-name attractions (like Japanese destinations) on this particular coast. Kanazawa, located in the center, is perhaps the most famous. But trust me: what this part of Japan lacks in fame, it makes up for in the quality of its scenery and experiences.
Of course, the coast itself is just the beginning. Most of the port towns and fishing villages along the Sea of Japan coast are an hour or less drive from any of the mountains behind them, and there are countless attractions hidden deep within each of them. Furthermore, even along the coast, the water, beaches, and cliffs themselves make for a fascinating backdrop to culture, food, and architecture, no matter how beautiful in their own right.
Things to do on the Sea of Japan Coast
Hokkaido
While much of Hokkaido is on the Pacific coast, a small portion (which happens to be the part that’s accessible from Sapporo) is on the Sea of Japan. For most travelers, this is the day trip from Sapporo to Otaru and its famous canals. On the other hand, less often mentioned Hakodate is on the Sea of Japan, although this is debatable. Tohoku
Here, it is where the best Sea of Japan trips really begin. Starting from the Oga Peninsula in Akita Prefecture in the north and continuing south to the coastal city of Sakata, the Sea of Japan coast of the Tohoku region is probably my favorite. It’s without a doubt the most authentic and the least touristy.
Shinetsu
Another region on the Sea of Japan coast that’s less visited by tourists is sometimes called Shinetsu and sometimes just by its local name: Niigata. Whatever you call this part of Japan, it includes not only the city of Niigata itself but also the windswept island of Sado, where you can see that the Sea of Japan coast truly belongs to Japan.
Hokuriku
Hokuriku is perhaps the most touristy part of the Sea of Japan itinerary, centered around the city of Kanazawa, but that’s just the beginning. Across the coast is Toyama, the gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route; the diverse Noto Peninsula is also here, and an alternative route to the Japan Alps, including Takayama and Shirakawa-go.
Sanin
After Tohoku, the Sannin is probably my favorite part of the Sea of Japan coast. From Tottori Prefecture with its stunning sand dunes, to Shimane Prefecture with its coastal islands and inland art museums, to Yamaguchi Prefecture with its samurai towns and beautiful bridges, Sanin embodies the true image of Japan. You can also consider Kyotango in Kyoto Prefecture part of the Sannin, although it’s actually in Kansai.
How much time is recommended for a trip along the Sea of Japan coast?
The Sea of Japan coastline is much longer than it looks, and it’s slow to travel. If you want to explore it all in one go, you’ll need at least two weeks. If you want to take the time for a deeper exploration, double up on the trip – by that I mean day trips from Niigata and Shimane to Sado and Oki Island, and day trips from Toyama to the Tateyama Kurobe route.
On the other hand, if you want to explore this part of Japan in stages, you can do shorter trips, but keep in mind that you will need more trips. You can take advantage of long weekend trips from Tokyo to visit Akita and/or Yamagata Prefectures; a few days in Yamane or Hokuriku is enough to add to the fun of a trip to Kansai.
Other Frequently Asked Questions About the Sea of Japan
Where is the Sea of Japan located?
The Sea of Japan is located north of the Japanese island of Honshu and west of Hokkaido. It’s worth noting that this is not the Japanese side where popular tourist destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, etc. are located.
What is the name of the Sea of Japan?
The Japanese call it “Nihonkai” or the kanji “日本海”. However, other countries describe this body of water differently. More controversially, Koreans call it the “东海”.
Is it the Sea of Japan or the East Sea (Sea of Korea)?
The Japanese (and many international maps) refer to the body of water between Japan and Korea as the “日本海”. The term “东海”, on the other hand, is only used by Koreans. Personally, I’ve never seen the name “韩国海”.
In conclusion
I hope that this Sea of Japan travel guide has inspired you to explore this underrated and little-known part of Japan. You may not be able to do it all in one go; in fact, you certainly won’t. However, exploring Hokuriku, Sannin, etc. bit by bit is the real discovery. Each “section” of the Sea of Japan coast you explore will inspire you to explore the next section until you’ve seen it all.
