Sumatakyo Valley is a rural area of Japan a few hours west of Tokyo and has so much to do off the beaten path. As you travel Japan, especially when you are in more rural areas, we highly recommend asking around for advice. That is how we found so many unique experiences on our 50-day runAway Japan adventure.

If you're interested in heading off the beaten path and exploring one of the lesser-known Okinawan Islands, then Miyako-jima could be the destination for your next holiday.

The tour had the theme “Life of the Samurai” and included a dinner prepared as in the Sengoku Period and staying overnight at a temple like the samurai used to when traveling to Edo.

If you like old world charm and nostalgia, then you will love Imai-cho town. At 17.4 hectares, it’s the largest preservation district for groups of traditional buildings in Japan. And since there are in fact people still residing in Imai-cho, it really is a living historical town.

At the north-eastern end of Japan’s Noto Peninsula, just a short drive away from the city of Kanazawa – known for its samurai districts, museums, and gardens, is the beach they call Goshikigahama or Five Colors Beach.

With unbeatable facilities for parents–especially in tourist-friendly department stores, upscale malls and chain restaurants–you and your children can enjoy many culinary adventures in Japan.

Fukushima, located in the Tohoku region of Japan, is the third largest prefecture in the nation. It is a relatively unpopulated region, comprised of mountainous areas and national parks divided into three main sections: Aizu, Nakadori (the central area), and Hamadori (the coastal area).

If ever you find yourself in Akita City, Senshu Park (千秋公園）deserves to be near the top of your sightseeing list. Built on the ruins of Kubota Castle, home of the first lord of Akita, Kubota Han, the park is still a major location for tourists and locals alike.

An often-missed sight is Mount Shosha, located 6km away up north from Himeji Castle. Mount Shosha is located in Shoshazan Engyo-ji, a national heritage site famous for its scenes from the 2003 movie "The Last Samurai".

Since these cities aren't what the typical tourist thinks to drop in on, you also won’t have to suffer through the crushing crowds, and can instead enjoy a more relaxed, authentic taste of Japanese beauty and culture.

His works are notable for the unconventional shapes and designs as well as the philosophy he puts in creating them – he believes in what he calls ‘ordered poverty.’

While popular attractions have their respective appeal, more esoteric destinations in Japan can whet the appetites of more seasoned adventurers. One such place is Enoshima, a quiet island off the Kamakura coast.