3 Unexplored Regions in Japan You Should Visit at Least Once: A Journey to Escape the Everyday with Breathtaking Views and Hot Springs
"I want to go somewhere far away."
Sometimes I get that feeling.
Visiting famous tourist spots is fun, too.
But for the next trip, I'll change the destination just a little.
Not to a place with many people,
but deep into the mountains.
To a deep valley.
I'm going to search for scenery that you rarely see in everyday life.
What I'm introducing this time
are three places I recommend for such a trip.
Iya, Tokushima Prefecture
Osugidani, Mie Prefecture
Kurobe Gorge, Toyama Prefecture
Every one of them is located far from the city.
That is precisely why
the scenery you see when you arrive
has something a little special about it.
⸻
01 | Iya, Tokushima Prefecture
To one of Japan's three great unexplored regions
The first place I want to introduce is
Iya in Tokushima Prefecture.
Iya is a region that spreads across the mountainous area of Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture.
Miyoshi City Official Tourism Sitealso introduces it as one of the "Three Great Unexplored Regions of Japan," and theMinistry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourismalso introduces it as "the Iya region, known as one of the three great unexplored regions of Japan."
Steep mountains and deep valleys.
The Iya River flows between them,
and traditional villages remain in the mountain gaps.
A tourist spot that represents Iya is
the Iya Kazurabashi Bridge.
It is a suspension bridge built using hardy kiwi vines, and it has been designated as an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
The Iya River flows under the bridge.
Deep mountains surround it.
While crossing the bridge,
"How did people in the past manage to build a bridge in a place like this?"
I find myself wondering.
It's a little scary.
But even that fear is part of the fun.
If you visit Iya, it's a place you'll want to cross at least once.
⸻
Driving through the Iya Valley
The charm of Iya
is not just the Kazurabashi Bridge.
The Iya Valley is also a place you definitely want to visit.
Roads follow the V-shaped deep valley,
and in some places, you can look down into the valley from quite a high vantage point.
Representative sights include
the Hi-no-ji Valley and
the Peeing Boy of Iya Valley.
While driving on the mountain road,
the view suddenly opens up.
What spreads out there is
mountains and valleys.
When you look at scenery with few man-made objects,
you realize that you have come quite far from where you usually are.
Iya is a place that suits a trip where you travel slowly,
looking at the scenery along the way,
rather than rushing around to tourist spots.
⸻
If you are staying in Iya
If you are staying in Iya,
Wano Yado Hotel Iyaonsenis a place you'll want to consider.
👉Wano Yado Hotel Iyaonsen | Rakuten Travel
You can still check the accommodation page on Rakuten Travel.
A major feature of this inn is
the open-air bath that you reach by cable car to the valley floor.
You travel by cable car from the hotel to the valley floor about 170m below, and head to the open-air bath along the Iya River. The Miyoshi City official tourism site also introduces this open-air bath and cable car as a feature of the hotel.
In the mountains of the unexplored region,
you take a hot spring bath.
Right in front of you is
the deep valley of Iya.
Just this alone
"I'm glad I came this far"
is likely to be a trip that makes you think that.
⸻
02 | Osugidani, Mie Prefecture
A great gorge called "the last unexplored region of the Kinki region"
Next is
Osugidani in Mie Prefecture.
This place is a slightly different type from Iya.
Rather than driving around to tourist spots,
it is a place for walking in nature.
Osugidani, along with Kurobe Gorge and Kiyotsu Gorge, isone of the three great gorges of Japan.
Mie Prefecture's official tourism website introduces it as one of Japan's leading gorge trails, where you can walk while gazing at emerald green streams and magnificent waterfalls. The total length is approximately 14 km, with an elevation difference of about 1,200 m.
Additionally, Rakuten Travel's tourism information also introduces it as
the last unexplored region in Kinki
.
However,
caution is required here.
Osugidani is
not a casual hiking course.
There are steep sections on the mountain trail,
and sufficient physical strength and preparation are required to walk the entire course.
The Odai Town Tourism Association also introduces Osugidani as one of Japan's leading gorge trails and provides information to ensure the safety of climbers.
Rather than going with a lighthearted
“let's go because it's an unexplored region”
mindset, it is better to think of it as a place to visit planned as a mountain climb
.
—
The appeal of Osugidani is not just that it is uncrowded
When walking through Osugidani,
deep green.
Emerald green streams.
Huge rocks.
And,
numerous waterfalls.
Scenery that you would almost never see in the city continues.
As it is counted among the three great gorges of Japan,
the scale is quite significant.
In particular,
it is suited for those who want to experience
the sensation of immersing oneself in nature
rather than just
“viewing tourist spots.”
—
If you are looking for a base for sightseeing in Osugidani
Fairfield by Marriott Mie Okuiise Odai
If you are not staying in Osugidani itself,
but are using Odai Town as your base for sightseeing,
this is a candidate.
👉Fairfield by Marriott Mie Okuiise Odai | Rakuten Travel
It is adjacent to the Roadside Station “Okuiise Odai” and can be used as a base for touring the nature of Odai Town.
Even in current accommodation plans on Rakuten Travel,
the Osugidani mountain trail and the Miya River are introduced as surrounding nature.
Guest rooms are 25㎡.
They are equipped with Simmons beds and free Wi-Fi.
On the other hand,
guest rooms have only showers and no bathtubs.
It is not suitable for those expecting an inn with hot springs, but it fits the usage of
“wanting to stay in a simple and comfortable hotel after enjoying nature.”
—
03 | Kurobe Gorge, Toyama Prefecture
The deeper you go into the mountains, the more the scenery changes.
The third one is
Kurobe Gorge in Toyama Prefecture.
This is also one of Japan's most iconic gorges.
When you think of Kurobe Gorge,
you think of the trolley train.
From the train running through the deep mountain gorge,
you can enjoy views of the steep mountains and the Kurobe River.
However, you need to be aware of the operating sections in 2026.
According to the official announcement from Kurobe Gorge Railway,
service will be limited to the Unazuki Station to Nekomata Station round trip until September 30, 2026.
And,
2026year10month1day, full service from Unazuki Station to Keyakidaira Station is scheduled to resume.Depending on when you travel,
the available sections will change.
When visiting Kurobe Gorge,
please be sure to check the latest operating status.
—
I want to enjoy Kurobe Gorge with a combination of 'hidden gem + hot spring'.
Convenient for a trip to Kurobe Gorge is
Unazuki Onsen.After enjoying the scenery of the gorge,
take a dip in the hot spring.
This is the joy of a trip to Kurobe.
'I want to visit a hidden gem, but serious mountain climbing is a bit...'
Even for those who feel this way,
if you use Unazuki Onsen as your base,
it becomes a relatively easy trip to plan.
—
If you are staying at Kurobe Gorge
Kurobe Gorge / Unazuki Onsen Hotel Kurobe
The inn I would like to recommend this time is
Hotel Kurobe.
👉Kurobe Gorge/Unazuki Onsen Hotel Kurobe | Rakuten Travel
Hotel Kurobe is located at the very back of the Unazuki Onsen town and is introduced as an inn where you can view the trolley train running through the Kurobe Gorge and the Unazuki Dam.
Look at the mountains while soaking in the hot spring.
Watch the trolley train from your room.
And at night, head to the hot spring town.
The charm of Kurobe is not just about "aiming for an unexplored region," but
being able to enjoy the gorge and the hot springs as a set
.
Rakuten Travel currently also lists accommodation plans that can be used by a single person.⸻
What makes these 3 unexplored regions different?
The three locations introduced this time have
quite different personalities to be grouped together under the same word "unexplored region".
Tokushima/IyaAn unexplored region where you can enjoy mountain villages, stunning views, and hot springs
Tour the Kazurabashi Bridge and Iya Valley, and
finally head to an
unexplored hot spring inn.⸻
Mie/Osugidani
An unexplored region where you can walk through authentic nature
One of Japan's three great gorges.
A place you want to visit well-prepared for mountain climbing.
⸻
Toyama/Kurobe Gorge
An unexplored region where you can enjoy the gorge, railway, and hot springsRide the trolley train,
view the Kurobe Gorge,
and stay at Unazuki Onsen.
⸻
I recommend "Iya" for your first time
Among the three locations,
if you are going on an unexplored region trip for the first time,
I recommend Iya.
The reason is that
while it has that unexplored feel,
there are also many places you can enjoy as a tourist.
Kazurabashi Bridge.
Iya Valley.
Mountain village scenery.
And hot springs.
While savoring the feeling of "having come to an unexplored region,"
it is also easy to enjoy as a vacation.
I think this balance is good.
⸻
For authentic nature, Osugidani
If you are someone who says "just seeing tourist spots is not enough,"
then
Osugidani.
However,
this is more of a mountain climbing trip than a vacation.
Equipment.
Weather.
Physical strength.
Condition of the mountain trails.
Access.
You need to check everything thoroughly in advance.
In return,
the experience of walking into a deep gorge on your own two feet
should be something different from the other two locations.
⸻
If you also want to enjoy hot springs, Kurobe Gorge
"I want to go to an unexplored region.
But I also want to soak in a hot spring at an inn."
For such a person,
Kurobe Gorge.
Enjoy the gorge by trolley train,
and return to Unazuki Onsen.
And then,
soak in the hot spring.
With this flow,
it becomes a trip that is not just focused on the outdoors.
⸻
An unexplored region trip is a journey until you reach your destination.
In unexplored regions,
it is not always the case that
it is a tourist spot as soon as you get off the train.
Driving on mountain roads.
Riding a bus.
Riding a trolley train.
Sometimes,
walking on your own two feet.
It also takes time.
But,
that "remoteness" is good.
Gradually moving away from the city.
Buildings become fewer.
Mountains get closer.
You can hear the sound of the river.
And,
gradually moving away from your usual life.
⸻
Time spent doing nothing also becomes part of the trip.
Just because you have come to an unexplored region,
you do not have to see everything.
After crossing the Kazurabashi Bridge,
look at the scenery for a while.
After soaking in the hot spring,
relax in your room.
Just gaze at the view from the trolley train window.
If it is Osugidani,
prioritize safety,
and walk at your own pace.
Just because it is a trip,
there is no need to pack your schedule.
⸻
Go see scenery that cannot be conveyed in photos.
Taking photos with your smartphone.
Posting on social media.
That is also a way to enjoy a trip.
But,
there are things that cannot be conveyed by photos alone.
The silence in the mountains.
The sound of the river.
The sound of the wind.
The scenery visible from the hot spring.
The gorge spreading out before your eyes.
Actually going there,
and seeing it with your own eyes.
That,
might be the biggest reason for going to an unexplored region.
⸻
For your next trip, go a little further.
When you get a little tired of your usual travel destinations.
Next time,
try making a place further away than usual your destination.
Deep into the mountains.
Into a deep gorge.
Beyond that,
"I never knew such scenery existed in Japan"encounter a place where you can think that.
Even just that,
I think makes the trip worth taking.
⸻
Inns introduced this time
Tokushima/Iya
Wano Yado Hotel Iya Onsen
Features an open-air bath reached by a cable car down to the valley floor.
For those who want to enjoy the nature of the Iya Valley and hot springs together.
👉See Hotel Iyaonsen on Rakuten Travel
⸻
Mie: Osugidani
Fairfield by Marriott Mie Okuise Odai
As a base for exploring the nature of the Okuise area, including Osugidani.
👉See Fairfield by Marriott Mie Okuise Odai on Rakuten Travel
⸻
Toyama: Kurobe Gorge
Kurobe Gorge / Unazuki Onsen Hotel Kurobe
For those who want to enjoy the Kurobe Gorge, the trolley train, and Unazuki Onsen all at once.
👉See Hotel Kurobe on Rakuten Travel
⸻
Summary
The three locations introduced this time are
Tokushima: Iya
Mie: Osugidani
Toyama: Kurobe Gorge
.
Each one offers a different experience:
Iya is about "mountain villages and hot springs."
Osugidani is about "authentic nature."
Kurobe Gorge is about "gorges and hot springs."
Even though they are all hidden gems, the ways to enjoy your trip are completely different.
Traveling to famous tourist spots is fun, too.
But sometimes, try going a little further.
Take your time and head deep into the mountains.
And see scenery you don't usually get to see.
That kind of trip will surely stay in your memory.
For your next vacation, head to a hidden gem in Japan.
Why not spend some time that's a little different from your usual travels?
⸻
*Accommodation rates, availability, lodging plans, business hours, and transportation schedules are subject to change. Please check the latest information from each facility and transportation provider before booking or visiting.*
Osugidani is a serious mountain trail
. It is a course about 14km long with an elevation difference of about 1,200m, and there are some steep sections. Please visit only after checking your physical fitness, experience, weather, and trail conditions, and with sufficient equipment and planning.
* Kurobe Gorge Railway is officially scheduled to operate between Unazuki Station and Nekomata Station until September 30, 2026, with full service between Unazuki Station and Keyakidaira Station resuming on October 1, 2026. Please check the latest information as the operating sections vary depending on the time of your trip.