4 Off-the-Beaten-Track Destinations to Escape the Spring Break Crowds

Temps are climbing in Tokyo and sakura are just starting to shrug free of their buds. That means spring break is nearly here! Time to shake off the winter doldrums and start thinking about travel plans. Unfortunately, in Japan, nearly everyone shares the same days off, a clump of national holidays at the end of April and beginning of May called Golden Week. Throngs of people traveling at the same time means popular destinations like Kyoto and Okinawa fill up fast and treble in price. Not to worry, though. If you are looking to escape the crush and discover a lesser-known destination, we've got you covered. Read on to see our team's off-the-beaten-track recommendations, all easily accessible from Tokyo.