'Beyond the traditional': Most popular Japan destination for Aussies outside the Golden Route
Updated . First published
Japan continues to attract Aussies like nowhere else, especially as the country's famous cherry blossom season takes off.
It has easily surpassed Bali as the favoured hot spot for locals, with the Indonesian isle slipping down the list on a travel trends ranking.
But Aussies are taking heed of travel experts' advice and looking beyond the major (often crowded) destinations of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
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Kyoto, Japan is hugely popular but sometimes overcrowded. Getty
Data from travel site Klook reveals an increase in Aussies exploring other parts of the nation.
"While Japan remains one of the most popular destinations for Australian travellers, itineraries are quickly expanding beyond the traditional golden route of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka," its Travel Pulse Survey 2026 found.
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"On average, nearly one in four travellers is planning to include lesser-visited destinations in their Japan trips."
The most popular place outside of the norm to go was Hiroshima, followed by Shizuoka.
Okinawa, famous for tropical beaches, is also on the radar for many.
Kokusai dori street in Okinawa, Japan. Getty
Yokohama, the nation's second biggest city, is also attracting more tourists,
A total of 88 per cent of travellers say they actively seek lesser-known destinations offering similar experiences to major tourist hubs, according to Klook.
Things to do in Hiroshima
Hiroshima, which can be reached on a bullet train, is famous for the sights commemorating the 1945 atomic bomb.
You can see the Atomic Bomb Dome, which now stands as a war memorial.
The familiar sight of the Miyajima with its floating red torii gate - that serves as the entrance to Itsukushima - is also a must-visit.
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The most popular place outside of the norm to go was Hiroshima. Getty
Also head to Takehara, or Little Kyoto for an insight into history.
Just outside the city there are hiking spots in the forests as well as hot springs.
Things to do in Shizuoka
If you want panoramic views of Mount Fiji, head to the Shizuoka area.
It's less than an hour from Tokyo by train but offers a much quieter experience.
Known as Japan's tea capital, Shizuoka is nestled between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
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Tea Plantation is popular agriculture in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka and can find with Fuji Mountain Background Getty Images/iStockphoto
It has amazing landscapes: rolling tea-covered hills, rugged coastlines and sweeping views of Mt Fuji.
In fact, a new viewing platform overlooking Mount Fuji just opened.
Data from Webjet said bookings for Japan are up 20 per cent compared with last January.
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A street in Yokohama's Chinatown Getty
Outside Japan, Vietnam and China are gaining in popularity.
"We're seeing triple-digit growth in demand for destinations like Vietnam and China as consumers look to explore new parts of Asia beyond the traditional favourites," Klook vice president western markets, Henry Hooper, says.
Meanwhile, as of March 1, 2026, the historic city of Kyoto in Japan will slap an extra fee on hotel prices.
It will be tiered depending on the cost of the accommodation.
At hotels in the $500 and $1,000 per night range, it'll cost $40 a night extra in tax, while a $10 a night tax will apply to guests at hotels costing $200 to $500 a night.
That's an increase of 10 times what the city's initial tourist tax cost and will add a decent amount to Aussies' holidays.
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