Chubu

Kiso-Fukushima was a post town on the Nakasendo trail during feudal times. You can find many attractive preserved historical sites including the old town, magistrate office, checkpoint, and a beautiful Zen garden here.

Shinminato is a town in Imizu City facing Toyama Bay. You can enjoy watching crab auctions and fresh seafood at the fish market, a beautiful sailing boat, and a nostalgic canal cruise.

One of the most impressive cherry blossom spots in Nagano is the Takato Joshi Park. See our beautiful pictures taken this spring.

Gujo Hachiman is a beautiful old town in Gifu Prefecture. It attracts many visitors because of the castle on the hill, beautiful streets with channels, plastic food sample workshops, and a dance festival.

is a town of old wooden houses standing side-by-side, highlighted by projecting lattice and eaves of uniform height, and it never fails to draw visitors’ attention.

Next to the extremely popular Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo a new pilgrimage destination for fans of the dreamy Studio Ghibli franchise has been opened in November 2022. The Ghibli Park is even larger and you can truly disappear in a wondrous different world

Toyota City is known for the great Toyota Museum and car factory, but did you know that the city also has an interesting history? Learn more about this city near Nagoya!

Nagoya doesn’t feature often on tourists’ itineraries, but If you would still find yourself in Nagoya, there are plenty of interesting places to see here. Find out where to go!

Are you starting your visit to Japan in the middle of Honshu island? Chances are that you will be landing at Centrair Airport in Nagoya. Learn more about this convenient airport!

Sado island is a popular destination for local tourists because of its unique nature, history and culture. There are plenty of attractions; a gold mine, crested ibis forest, and old towns.

Izukogen is is a popular resort area for Tokyoites because it is not far from Tokyo. There are many beaches, hot springs, and sightseeing spots. Find out where to go!

Takaoka in Toyama prefecture has plenty of attractions; beautiful scenery on the coastline, unique history, metal production, an anime museum, and more!

Oiwasan Nissekiji is an off the beaten path Buddhist temple founded about 1,300 years ago in Toyama. Learn more about the ‘waterfall practice’ you can do here!

On Mikimoto Pearl Island you can learn about pearl cultivation and see a demonstration by Ama divers catching pearl oysters. Learn more about this special place in Japan!

How to best enjoy one of Japan’s most beautiful natural areas, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route? Follow this itinerary to see the autumn foliage and high snow walls in Toyama.

In the Kurobe Gorge in Toyama, you can enjoy breathtaking views from the Kurobe Gorge Railway train. See what there is to discover in this beautiful natural area!

Toyama city doesn’t get many foreign visitors, but there are several attractions that make the prefectural capital worth a visit. Learn more about Toyama’s attractions!

In 1994, textile dyeing artist Itchiku Kubota built a museum with his name in a perfect place, with a majestic view of Mount Fuji and serene Lake Kawaguchi.

Kawaguchiko is best-known for its amazing view of Mt Fuji. Located at the foot of the mountain, there are many vantage points from which to see the symbol of Japan.

From the 8th station, the walk begins to get quite steep and by the time you get to the 9th station, the track will almost be so steep and rocky that at times it will feel like you are rock climbing…

You don’t need to go all the way to Okinawa if you want to go to a white sandy beach with azure blue waters. Volcanic peninsula Izu has its fair share of wonderful beaches.

Lake Hamanako is a resort area, with an amusement park and onsen with lake views. Located on the way between Tokyo and Kyoto, it is a good place to make an overnight stop.

Kawazu is only a small town, and it is a good spot to include in your itinerary if you want one or a few days of nature and rest with fewer international tourists.

Atami is a popular destination for cherry blossom viewing in spring and fireworks and the beach in summer. It is a good destination to combine with a multi-day trip to Mt. Fuji, Hakone, or Shimoda.

The Fuji Shibazakura Festival is an exceptional event near Mt. Shibazakura flowers bloom in different colors and in different shapes, creating a beautiful multicolored field. In 2023, it is held in April and May.

The region around Mt Fuji has long been the inspiration for the works of many of Japan’s most celebrated writers, poets, and artists. How did this beautiful mountain with its nearly perfect symmetrical cone originate?

Hakuba in Nagano is one of Japan’s ski areas with several large ski resorts to choose from. The magnificent views and snow conditions make it very popular.

Matsumoto is centrally located in Nagano and is surrounded by the Japan Alps mountains. The city is especially famous for Matsumoto Castle, which is one of Japan’s original historic castles.

Kamikochi is a remote mountainous highland in the northern part of the Japanese Alps, which has been preserved in its natural state. Hikers will love the great outdoors feeling they will get here.

Karuizawa has thrived as a very popular summer resort in Japan since the late 19th century because of its cool and comfy summer climate. This attractive town is a good stop on your way to the Nagano mountains.

Noto Peninsula is known for its coastal scenery, particularly along the Okunoto Coast and the Kongo Coast, as well as for its rural atmosphere. Because the area’s public transportation is limited, exploring the area is best done by rental car

Kanazawa is the city of gold, but that’s not all this historical town has to offer. History buffs will love the samurai quarter and traditional Higashi Chaya district.

Niigata city is a pleasant place, with plenty of open spaces, making the city feel more spacious and less cramped than other major cities of Japan. Some of the best sake is also brewed here.

There are more than 16 ski areas in Echigo Yuzawa and there are slopes for everyone from beginner to black piste expert. The area is known for its high-quality powder snow.

Outdoor activities, natural hot springs, and Japanese-style inns are what attract tourists to Suwa. The lake town is located in Nagano, and perfect as a base for day trips in Nagano prefecture.

Nagano city is a good place to stay as a base for making day trips in the area with its good bus and train connections. What is there to do in the city itself?

The Shiga Kogen Highlands were formed by volcanic activity and have a mountainous landscape. It stands as one of the world’s largest winter resorts and was home to many of the events of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.

Takayama Jinya is a well-preserved historic building in Takayama. It is a great place to visit for those interested in historical Japanese buildings. Find out what to expect on a visit!

Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, Shirakawago is best known for its traditional farmhouses in the thatched-roof style called Gasshozukuri, some of which are more than 250 years old.

Magome was a post town on the Nakasendo Route, which is one of the five routes that connected Edo with rural towns in the 16th-19th century. Pretty postcard-ready views are par for the course here.

If you are planning to walk a part of the Nakasendo trail to see the pretty old post towns and natural beauty in between, this travel guide will be of use for you.

Tsumago is one of the most popular old post towns to visit on the Nakasendo Trail because it is so well-preserved. Learn more about its history and what you can see there today.

Yudanaka, rich in natural hot springs, is located deep in the mountains of the Yamanouchi area in Nagano. Some 200 monkeys live in this area. Watching them bathe just like humans do is fun!

The Fujisan World Heritage Center wants to educate people on the geography and history of the popular mountain. Find out what to expect from a visit!

Yatsugatake is a mountain range in central Japan where you can enjoy trekking, skiing, and mountain biking. Learn more about this natural paradise in Nagano!

Ise Jingu in Mie prefecture is listed as the most important Shinto shrine in Japan. What’s the history of this shrine, and which rituals are carried out here?

In Kanazawa, you can find the old home of the samurai Nomura clan. The building is almost intact and is a good example of how the samurai warriors who protected the city lived at that time.

Kenrokuen Garden is listed as one of the three most beautiful gardens in all of Japan and is undoubtedly the symbol of Kanazawa Prefecture. It was specifically designed for walking.