Tired of the tourist hordes in Tokyo and the selfie-stick traffic jams of Kyoto? Yearning for a Japan that feels less like a theme park and more like a real, living country?

You’ve seen the postcards. You’ve heard the hype. But what if the Japan you’re looking for is hiding in plain sight?

Alternative Japan is your guide to the Japan that locals know and love. Forget the crowded, overpriced, and ultimately hollow experience of the standard tourist trail. This book is your key to unlocking a richer, more authentic, and far more rewarding journey.

Instead of Tokyo, discover the cool, breezy port city of Yokohama, the birthplace of Japanese jazz. Trade the tourist traps of Osaka for the unapologetic samurai soul and hearty cuisine of Nagoya. Swap the crush of Kyoto for the exquisitely preserved samurai and geisha districts of Kanazawa, a city of art and power that the tourist herd hasn't discovered yet. And forget the miserable, commercialized climb up Mount Fuji; instead, traverse the spectacular, multi-stage alpine route across the "Roof of Japan" from Toyama.

This isn't a book of "hidden gems" in famous cities. This guide takes you to better places: ones that are superior in every way for the traveler who values authenticity.

Inside, you'll learn how to:

• Eat like a local: Master the art of Japan's food apps to find the local ramen joints and sushi counters that tourists overlook.

• Travel smarter: Navigate the world of Japanese domestic market hotels for comfy stays at comfy prices.

• Experience the real culture: From the unspoken rules of the sento (public bath) to the etiquette of a local izakaya, move through Japan with the grace and confidence of an insider.

Alternative Japan is an invitation to experience Japan on your own terms. It’s the difference between waiting in line and living an adventure.