I day-tripped to 3 peaceful Japanese towns just a few hours from major cities — and they were the highlights of my visit

Visiting Shirakawa-go felt like stepping into a fairy tale. Anika Nayak On my first visit to Japan, I checked out some villages that turned into the highlights of my trip. Oshino was peaceful and unforgettable, with great food and charming, thatched-roof houses. I also recommend checking out Shirakawa-go and Nachi-Katsuura for tons of culture and nature. When I planned my first trip to Japan during cherry blossom season, I knew I wanted to see the tourist highlights in major urban hubs like...