Why Choose a Greener Way to Travel

Traveling with environmental respect does not mean giving everything up. In Japan you’ll find a unique blend of nature and culture, from ancient forests to ultra-modern cities. Choosing to travel responsibly means you honor that balance, and you also gain richer experiences. Visiting slowly, using local trains instead of flights, eating locally, all help you connect with the country more meaningfully.

One Reddit comment captures the challenge: “The number of single use plastics is mind boggling … also only 22% of plastic is recycled so there’s environmental work to be engineered.” 

That reminds us that even in a place known for discipline, sustainability still has gaps.

How to Travel More Mindfully

Move with Respect for the Land

Japan’s public transport network is excellent and electric trains emit far less carbon than car or air travel. In cities you can walk, bike, or use local trains. One night in Osaka I wandered off-planned and found a tiny vegan okonomiyaki place simply by walking aimlessly through backstreets, one of the most memorable meals I had.

Eat, Stay, Travel with Less Impact

Choose local eateries, seasonal produce, and avoid imported or industrial-scale food when possible. Carry a reusable water bottle, decline plastic bags, and choose lodgings that emphasise low waste.

Backpacking: Slow Travel, Big Reward

Backpacking in Japan is ideal for a low-impact journey. Travelling lighter, staying longer in each spot, using hostels or guesthouses helps you reduce your footprint and deepen your experience. For practical routes and tips see this resource on backpacking in Japan.

Eco-Friendly Places to Visit

Shirakami-Sanchi: Ancient Woods and Quiet Wonder

Located in northern Honshū, this UNESCO beech forest is a place of almost spiritual stillness. During my hike I met a local who said the wind in the leaves is “the voice of the forest”. One night the temperature dropped and I lay looking up at the stars between trees hundreds of years old. Stay in the nearby village of Hachimori for a more local feel.

Iya Valley: Hidden, Traditional, Serene

Deep in Shikoku, suspended vine bridges cross emerald rivers and steep slopes host farms growing yuzu and tea. One guesthouse owner told me his family still uses the same hand-dug well they had 300 years ago. Walking those old trails, you feel time soften.

Echigo-Tsumari: Art That Grows from the Earth

This rural region becomes an open-air gallery during the art triennale. One installation was a field of sunflowers planted around an old school building, turning decay into hope. You can stay in artist-run homes or volunteer for a day helping local farmers. It teaches you that art needn’t be separated from land.

Akan-Mashu National Park: Wild North, True Nature

Up in Hokkaidō you find quiet lakes, volcanoes, Ainu culture and forest air scented with pine and hot springs. I visited in snowy early-spring and soaked in an outdoor onsen under a snowfall. The sense of connection to nature there was profound. The Ainu guide told me their craft is “a song of the land” and watching them work it felt like witnessing living art.

Putting It All Together

Traveling eco-consciously in Japan is not about losing luxuries. It’s about shifting focus: less speed, more pause; less consumption, more immersion; less footprint, more memory. Use trains, eat locally, stay simply, walk deeply.

Sustainability is about making mindful choices and finding balance, doing what’s possible rather than striving for perfection. Every small step in the right direction still counts.