This 7-day road trip loops down from Osaka through the rugged, mystical Kii Peninsula (through Wakayama and Mie prefectures). It’s a route defined by dramatic coastal geology, ancient pilgrimage routes, incredible seafood, and deep spiritual history, all while keeping daily drives well under the 3-hour mark.

Japan isn’t the first place people think of for a road trip—but it should be. If you’re willing to trade bullet trains for winding mountain roads, you’ll unlock a completely different side of the country: quiet post towns, hidden valleys, and the freedom to move at your own pace.