Why Are Some Travelers Avoiding the Golden Route?

Should You Skipt the Golden Route?

50_crods-1

More and more people are avoiding Japan's Golden Route. What's up with that? Do they know something the rest of us don't?

I been to Japan before so I have already done the Golden Route and it was really good. But how come I noticed that some people in this subreddit avoid the Golden Route? Especially the first timers?
Like is it the overtourism? tourist traps? overhyped?
Just wondering what other people thoughts are, its your vacation, do your thing, just wondering.

- A Reddit user asking for advice on reddit

As provider specializing in rural Japan tours and places off the golden route, most of my customers fall into one of the categories below.

Repeat visitors to Japan so they have already seen the Golden Route
Have at 2+ weeks in Japan so they can afford to see it and take 4 days to go to a rural village.
Are referrals so they do not worry that getting off the Golden Route will be a mistake.

Unless they were visiting family or friends in Tokyo or Kyoto, almost all of them say that their time off the Golden Route was the the highlight of their time in Japan. However, they also will say that if they had skipped it completely they would definitely have felt some FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) regret.

One of the main things that people seem to have against the Golden Route is that they feel like they are in Japan, but at the same time, not really in Japan. This feeling has only grown as tourism has continued to boom.

People enjoy the architecture and the food and the little things like convenience store and efficient public transport. They marvel at the customer service, attention to detail, but at the same time, when 70% or more of the people in the ramen shop are tourists, even if the ramen is great, it doesn't feel like they are seeing Japan. When the stores all have souvenirs, it can feel like a theme park. Sure, a very fun theme park, but a theme park none the less. When the temple is just a row of foreign visitors being pushed through, it does not feel as much like a spiritual place as a quiet, even less grand, temple someplace else would.

Is The Golden Route Terrible?

Of course not. When friends come to visit, and it is not part of my work, I also take them to Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka. Usually, I can't justify not taking them there. As beautiful as the Japanese countryside is, they would naturally feel like they missed out if we only spent all the time there.

That said, I usually tell people to do their Golden Route before they come to the countryside. This is because I have seen the pattern where people come to the countryside first, spend 4 or 5 days or more, then go to Kyoto and suddenly a lot of the attractions of Kyoto feel less. Unless they are especially interested in Kyoto history, or a specific temple for more than just seeing a temple, they find that they have already seen a lot of temples and Japanese architecture, already visited convenience stores, seen bamboo forests and gardens, eaten Japanese food, etc. and it is not as new and exciting.

So the Golden Route is Over-hyped?

Nope. I don't think The Golden Route is over-hyped. I usually enjoy exploring the heavily touristed places too. There are a few places or experiences that you will find on the golden Route that are over hyped because of TikTok and Instagram, or because they offer incentive to give them five stars on trip advisor, so the hype reflects people wanting a small gift more than the actual value of the place.

Is The Golden Route is Over-touristed?

Yes, and no. It depends on how to frame it. If you compare it to other places in Japan that are all but forgotten, then yes, it is over-touristed. If you look at the problems that tourism is causing, because the area cannot currently support both the influx of tourists and its local tradition, then yes, it can be considered over-touristed. But that is too deep and complex of a topic to cover here.

Is The Golden Route a Tourist Trap?

On the other hand, if you consider that tourism is and has always been a major part of these places, maybe it's not "over" touristed. There are a lot, but that is part of Japan and part of the economy in those areas. Tourism is part of the experience so it cannot be "over" touristed. Maybe it is, by definition, always exactly the right amount for the time. It would be like saying Japan is over-mountained, or over-shrined when those things are an inherent part of Japan.

There are a few places I consider "tourist trap". Although they are not traps, in the sense that you still have every opportunity to not pay for them, they are just low bang for the buck. You don't have to go, so it is not a trap, but it is much easier now, for some experience providers, to put in low effort if there are floods of people and they do not rely on repeaters. But even those places are really liked by some people.

Are people that skip The Golden Route cooler than you?

A lot of people in the reddit comments here have been saying that it is because people feel more special or superior if they go someplace unique. While I do not doubt that some people like that exist, in my experience, that is rare. I have never gotten that sense from anyone. I have never had any visitors whose main goal is just to be unique, or feel superior because they are the only foreigner in a place.

But seeing something unique is a driver. Not to feel superior, but because we have an inherent desire to be explorers. To explore strange new worlds and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. That is becoming harder and harder (impossible really) compared to even a few decades ago before everything was a few swipes and clicks away.

Older visitors mention this as well, they remember backpacking through Europe or SE Asia when the only thing you had was a single paper guide book, and everything was an adventure, you only had a vague idea of what to expect - and some younger people have heard stories of it. They are looking for that feeling again, and the overload of information about the Golden Route kind of takes away from that.

It's still possible to explore and find new and unexpected things while on The Golden Route. It's just a lot harder when it is mapped out in so much detail, and the businesses and people that interact with tourists are so used to it, that they have perfected every interaction down to a level that may seem scripted.

What Does the Web Think?

Here's a summary of the main perspectives shared in the thread about why some people avoid Japan's Golden Route (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka):

Pro-Golden Route (Majority Opinion):

It's popular for a reason: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka have cultural, historical, and culinary value. They're core parts of Japan and not to be dismissed as "tourist traps."
First-timers should see it: Many argue it's silly or elitist to suggest skipping these cities on a first visit.
Not inauthentic: Locals live and travel there too. Avoiding them doesn't make someone a more "authentic" traveler.
Instagram ≠ everyone: While some tourists chase viral spots, most just want to enjoy iconic sites.
Overtourism is real, but manageable: Go early, research well, or avoid only the busiest areas - not whole cities.

Why Some People Avoid The Golden Route:

Overtourism fatigue: Places like Kyoto are extremely crowded, and some feel this ruins the atmosphere (e.g. temples feeling like conveyor belts).
Desire for "real" Japan: Some want quieter, rural, or less commercial experiences - especially repeat visitors.
Travel snobbery: Some users criticize those who brag about "going off the beaten path" as trying to feel superior.
Preference-based: Not everyone is into history, temples, or big cities. Some skip Kyoto/Osaka simply because it doesn't suit their taste or time constraints.
Better experiences elsewhere: People mention Tohoku, Kyushu, Shikoku, etc., offering more relaxed, authentic, and less-touristed experiences.

More Balanced Views:

Do both: Many suggest mixing the Golden Route with lesser-known regions to spread tourism and enhance your trip.
Personal preference matters: Travelers should plan based on interests - not trends, not FOMO, and not Reddit consensus.
Repeat visitors often explore more: First-timers do the hits; repeaters go deeper.

Is a One Life Japan Trip for You?

The majority of our bike, hike, and walking trips focus around a small farming village in Northern Nagano. We focus on local, environmentally friendly, active, and challenging activities. We share with you our love of the Japan countryside .

If you... have already seen your share of crowded temples and city streets, and if you're ready to get off the train or bus and move your body through some potentially challenging terrain - where people are focused on their everyday life instead of selling souvenirs to tourists - then One Life Japan is most likely perfect for you.

If you.... are willing to spend a night in a local's home or a family-run inn, where the owner is too busy with hunting or the rice harvest to fix a rip in the beat-up paper shoji door, then One Life Japan is most likely perfect for you.

If you... are willing to smile through a conversation with a farmer who doesn't speak English , or to spend a dinner in what eventually turns into a game of charades with the local baker, then One Life Japan is most likely perfect for you.

If you... are willing to spend an afternoon striking out on your own in unknown territory, where no one speaks English but is eager to help nonetheless - with just a map and the assurance that we'll be there if you need a hand - then One Life Japan may be perfect for you.

If you... are willing to wake up at 5 a.m. to see a country village come to life in the early morning light, or to spend an afternoon working in the rice field or gathering wild vegetables, then One Life Japan is most likely perfect for you.

If you... are willing to savor a simple meal of in-season, locally produced foods, then One Life Japan is most likely perfect for you.

If you... have read this far without thinking it's not for you - One Life Japan is definitely perfect for you .

We want to share the Japan we love. We can't promise five-star accommodation , or perfect cell-phone coverage the entire trip. We certainly don't promise a glimpse of the fabled "lost" Japan . We do promise an opportunity to see another side of modern-day Japan that you won't see in urban areas like Tokyo or Kyoto, or in towns that rely on tourism as their main industry.

Everything is waiting for you . It is up to YOU to take it in. We are here to support and facilitate your adventure - but it is up to you to make it your adventure . We'll listen to your needs, your likes and dislikes, and work to create the most personalized trip we can offer.

About Price Estimates and Custom Pricing

Planning a custom trip means every itinerary is a little different - and that's the point. We don't use fixed packages because every traveler, group size, destination, and level of support is unique. That said, we understand that you probably want at least a sense of what to expect before getting started.

We're happy to talk through your ideas and provide a no-obligation estimate once we know the general outline of your trip. Our goal is to make rural Japan accessible, affordable, and deeply memorable - and we'll always try to match your budget where possible.

What Affects the Price

Number of Participants

We don't have a flat per-person rate. Families and small groups are easier to price affordably, since logistics and guiding can be shared. Solo travelers, couples, and groups of three are also very welcome - we'll do our best to make something work without compromising on experience.

Type of Accommodation

We usually choose small, family-run inns or farmstays - warm, welcoming places that reflect the feel of the region. These are rarely "luxury" in the hotel sense, but offer something richer: simple, delicious meals and genuine hospitality. If you're looking for high-end ryokan, we can arrange those too, though they will affect the total cost.

Location & Duration

The total price depends on where the trip takes place, how far it is from our base in Northern Nagano, and how many days you're traveling. Longer trips often have a lower daily cost than short ones, especially if we're traveling far to meet you.

Time of Year & Advance Notice

Spring and autumn are peak seasons, and last-minute bookings can be tough. Giving us more time to plan helps us find the best accommodation and keep costs down.

Level of Support

We also understand that not everyone wants (or needs) the same level of company or support. Some people enjoy having a guide by their side for meals and downtime, while others prefer more personal space. We're happy to adjust accordingly - whether that means joining you throughout the day or giving you room to explore and regroup at key points. These preferences don't always make a huge difference in price, but they help us plan a trip that feels just right for you - both in experience and in budget.

We offer different levels of involvement to suit your comfort and budget:

Fully Guided
We're with you the whole way - riding or walking alongside you, staying in the same inn, and sharing meals together. We guide at your pace, helping with check-ins, interpreting, and navigating local spots. Depending on group size or pace differences, we may occasionally split to accommodate different routes (like easy vs. hard options), but we're always close and reconnect throughout the day.
Semi-Guided
You ride and explore independently, but our support vehicle follows just behind the scenes - meeting you throughout the day and always within a few minutes' reach. We are there to handle logistics like luggage transfers, check-ins, and join you for museums and activities. Meals and evening time can be more private or shared, depending on your preference and budget. It's a balance between freedom and support, with us never far away.
Self-Guided with Minimal Support
You're free to travel at your own pace, using our detailed maps and GPS routes, with all accommodations arranged in advance. While the trip is self-guided, we stay close enough to assist when needed - including moving bikes and luggage between far-apart regions. This allows you to shift locations mid-trip, like spending a day in Nagano and the next on the Japan Sea coast, without being tied to a continuous cycling route.
Fully Self-Guided
We plan your route and assist with bookings, and you handle the trip on your own. We're available by phone and can track your location in case of any issues. (See our Self Guided page for details)

Want an Estimate?

All of this will be clarified during the estimate process, so we can make sure we're on the same page - both in terms of expectations and cost. It's important to us that there are no surprises, and that you know exactly what's included and how things will work throughout the trip.

We can give you a ballpark once we know the rough outline - for example, the base price for a 3-day with no on-location support self-guided itinerary for two in Nagano might be around ¥35,000-¥40,000 / person (bikes + itinerary, not including accommodation).

The inn prices can start from 7,000 ~ 15,000 / night with meals, and go as high as is available depending on the location.