I visited central Japan during a 9-day road trip as a consultant and writer for Japan Travel KK, going through the countryside of Fukui, Ishikawa, Toyama, and Gifu prefectures. I gave feedback all along then wrote articles in English “World-class Road Trip Between Tokyo & Osaka” (13,000+ views) and French “Voyage de classe mondiale entre Tokyo et Osaka en voiture” (3,000+ views), notably covering recharge spots for electric cars, vegan food, activities with children, availability of wheelchairs…
Some of the off-the-beaten-track destinations were exciting and/or fascinating. My favourite spots included Natadera Temple and Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum but I learnt that many Jewish travellers in Japan rent a car in Nagoya to visit the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum (for positive historical reasons). Besides, I experienced waterfall meditation at Oiwa-san Nisseki-ji and sword-making at Hamonoya Sansyu (I even received a sword-making certificate 🙂).
This work for the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism aimed to help revitalize local economies, as foreign visitors typically focus on destinations directly accessible with a JR Pass (with/near shinkansen stations).