Recommended tourist spots in rural Japan and how to enjoy them even if you don't speak Japanese

Japan is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the world. According to the World Tourism Council (WTTC), Tokyo ranks among the top seven countries in tourism GDP contribution in 2022. In addition, after COVID-19, inbound tourism is also booming, with the number of overseas visitors to Japan exceeding 2 million in August as of 2023. Why is Japan so attractive to the world as a destination? One of the reasons for this is the diversity of Japan's tourist spots. For example, you may have heard of cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, even if you have never been to Japan. However, Japan is a country stretching from north to south, and there are many areas to visit in addition to famous and popular areas such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. There are many ways to enjoy it, including culture, history, nature, shopping, food, and hot springs. This article will introduce a few of Japan's regional tourist spots and tips for enjoying them even more.

4 recommended local tourist spots

Japan's famous tourist destinations, including Tokyo, are visited by many tourists every year, and their appeal is immeasurable. However, if you are interested in the local aspects of Japan, or the unique nature and culture of Japan, it is worth considering visiting local sightseeing spots. There, you will discover a new attraction in Japan that you could not experience in big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.  This section introduces some popular destinations in rural Japan.

Shirakawa-go

In Shirakawa-go, you can see houses with thatched roofs. This is called "Gassho-zukuri" and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists can experience traditional Japanese lifestyle and foods.

Mount Fuji

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, with a height of 3,776m. Tourists can climb to the top of the mountain during the climbing season, which attracts climbers from all over the world. There are also lakes called the Fuji Five Lakes near Mt. Fuji, which, like Mt. Fuji, attract a lot of tourists. If you want to enjoy Japan's nature, this is one of the areas you should visit.

Yakushima

Yakushima is also a tourist destination where you can experience Japan's ancient nature. Yakushima is home to the Jomon Cedar tree, which has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the island as a whole is home to forests that have remained unchanged for over 1,000 years. Tourists can hike around the island and observe the island's unique wildlife and nature.

Hakone

Hakone is one of the closest hot spring areas to Tokyo. Tourists can not only relieve the fatigue of their travels in the hot springs but also enjoy the sightseeing from the boat on the lake called Lake Ashi and the scenery from the ropeway.

How to enjoy rural tourist spots even if you don't speak Japanese

Rural tourist destinations such as those introduced above are visited by many tourists, although not as many as Tokyo or Kyoto. However, the language support for foreigners in these areas may not be as good as in large cities. Also, if you want to know more information about a particular area, there is often less information available in languages ​​other than Japanese compared to larger cities. Additionally, in many cases, it may be difficult to communicate in English or Chinese at facilities in these areas. Considering this, being able to communicate in Japanese and being able to gather information in Japanese is considered important in order to enjoy rural tourist destinations even more. Here are some tips for enjoying Japan's rural sightseeing spots, even if you don't speak Japanese.

Use of translation services

Translation services are one way to communicate in multiple languages. In particular, when signs or explanatory text are presented, you can instantly understand the content in your native language by using a camera translation function such as Google Translate. You may also be able to communicate easily with Japanese speakers through written text. In addition, you can also view information on websites that are not translated into languages ​​other than Japanese by using the built-in translation tool or translation app. Utilizing translation tools can be an effective way to understand rural tourist destinations, even if you are a non-Japanese speaker. Examples of translation tools include Google Translate, DeepL Translate, Mirai Translate, and Bing Translate. You may also be able to use ChatGPT as an alternative.

Use of interpretation services

Utilizing an interpreter service may provide a more seamless language experience. Translation tools are mainly used for written communication, but interpretation services can be a more effective means for interpersonal communication. For example, it is not uncommon for interpreter guides to be provided at famous tourist destinations. An interpreter guide will help you communicate with Japanese speakers as well as guides in your native language or English. In addition, AI machine interpreters have also developed in recent years, and with PokeTalk, you can simply press a button and speak and the translation results will be output as audio.

Let's try using the interpretation app "Oyraa"!

If you are looking for an interpretation tool, you should definitely consider Oyraa.

Oyraa is a smartphone app that allows anyone to easily and inexpensively use human interpretation. You can call up a professional interpreter 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without the need for a reservation, and use it in minute increments. We have 2,000 registered interpreters in 153 languages, and can provide services in languages ​​other than English and Chinese. You only pay for what you use, at a reasonable price of about 1 USD per minute. Also, since it is an app call, no SIM is required and calls are free. If you connect with an interpreter and enter your phone number, you can make a call anywhere in the world with an interpreter included, so you can also use it to make phone inquiries to accommodations and places you visit.

Even if you want to go to rural tourist spots and discover the new aspects of Japan, you may give up because of the language barrier. Even if you did visit, you may have had the experience of not being able to enjoy it to the fullest because you didn't understand Japanese. Oyraa is an interpretation app that solves the concerns of traveling around Japan.