Mt. Fuji [Fujisan], the iconic symbol of Japan, is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 meters. The magnificent mountain was formed by frequent and violent eruptions from ages ago, creating the beautiful conical silhouette today. Mt. Fuji [Fujisan] was registered as the World Heritage Site as “Fujisan, Sacred Place and Source of Artistic Inspiration” in 2013. Photogenic spots for Mt. Fuji [Fujisan] are the “Miho no Matsubara” in Shizuoka City, with a beautiful view over the sea and the pine forests, and the “Mishima Skywalk”, the longest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in Japan at 400 meters, with the panoramic view of the Mt. Fuji [Fujisan].
The “Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route” in Toyama Prefecture is one of the most famous mountain tourism routes in the world. Take a trek through the photogenic 3,000-meter-high peaks of the Northern Japan Alps or enjoy the extravagant nature of the Northern Japan Alps in cable cars, buses, and ropeways. Refresh with spectacular nature at Midagahara, Murodo, Daikanbo, and Kurobe Dam.
Midagahara, one of the largest alpine wetlands in Japan at the altitude of 1,900 meters, is registered in the Ramsar convention as internationally valuable wetlands. Murodo, is famous for the “Yuki-no-otani” [snow wall], annually opens at the end of April to June. And at Daikanbo, take a view of the wide panorama of the Japan Alps and the lake formed by the Kurobe Dam. Kurobe Dam is the highest arch dam in Japan at 1,500 meters.
“The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama”, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site [Cultural Heritage] in 1995. Located in a mountainous region that is geographically described as an “isolated land”, was also referred to as an “unexplored region”, because of the surrounding mountainous terrain and the surrounding areas blocked by heavy snowfall during winter. The Gassho-style villages are subsisted on the cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms. The beautiful retro landscape like the scenery of Japan back in the day is highly evaluated at the Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri village. Shirakawa-go was selected as an important traditional building preservation district in 1976, is a place to feel a traditional way of life perfectly adapted to the environment and social and economic circumstances of people.
Click here for more on Shirakawa-go
Click here for more on Gokayama
The two castles in the Chubu Region over one hundred National Treasures, are the Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture, one of the oldest castles in Japan, and the Inuyama Castle in Aichi Prefecture, with the oldest remaining castle tower in Japan.
Fortification of the Matsumoto Castle dates to back to simple wooden structures built during the Warring States period (1467-1600). The towering castle was constructed in 1594 and is the only oldest surviving castle today with five external stories but six internal floors. Nearly torn down during the Meiji Era (1868-1912) but was saved by the voices of the residents raised for preservation. Ever since, the castle has been designated a National Treasure in recognition of its historic value.
Inuyama Castle has the existing Japanese oldest wooden construction castle tower, was founded by Oda Nobuyasu in 1537, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi was born. It was built in 1537 during the Muromachi Era by Oda Nobyuasu, uncle to Oda Nobunaga at the center of the alluvial fan of the Nobi Plain. The view from the top floor of the castle tower is truly spectacular. Some of the many sites to visit in the surrounding area are, the Kiso River, the old streets of Inuyama Castle Town, and the “Museum Meiji-Mura”. Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu all gained possession of Inuyama Castle during the respective eras, paving the way for them to become rulers of Japan. Enjoy the Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure that has survived the rough seas of history.
Click here for more on Inuyama Castle
Click here for more on Matsumoto Castle
The central area of Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture is an area overflowing with a traditional Japanese atmosphere. This preserved castle town and merchant town in an atmosphere of the Edo Period with restaurants and souvenir stores in renovated old townhouses is perfect for a stroll. Located at the center is the most popular area, is the “Historical District of Takayama”, consisting of three main streets used to serve as a bustling merchant town in the past. The area is referred to as “Sanmachi-dori”, and is distinguishable by the distinctive, old architecture and shops that remain to this day.
“Kenroku-en” in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a strolling-style Japanese landscape garden of the Edo Era known the “Three Great Gardens of Japan”, together with “Korakuen” in Okayama Prefecture and “Kairakuen” in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. The cherry blossoms in spring, colored leaves in autumn, and snow hanging in winter, showing the beauty of each season, sharing wonderful view whenever visited. There are many other beautiful and interesting scenic spots in the park, such as “Kotoji Stone Lantern” and “Karasaki no Matsu” hung in the snow. Kenrokuen is in the very center of “Kanazawa, a tourist city” with many historical tourist destinations, and is a famous garden to be visited again and again. If visiting Kanazawa for sightseeing, taking a walk around Kenrokuen and other spots around the garden is recommended.
Host of the Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games in 1998, Hakuba Happo-one Ski Resort, is one of the best ski resorts in Japan. Famous for the fine powder snow, and the spectacular view from the summit at 1,830 meter high. A perfect ski resort equipped with a total of 16 courses for beginners to advanced skiers, a snow play area, ski school for kids and the kids’ space, in about an hour and 15 minutes ride on an express bus from JR Nagano Station.
The Chubu Region has prospered as a transportation hub and for the “monozukuri” [manufacturing]. The crafts are rooted in the Japanese culture and lifestyle, are also with traditions and techniques preciously passed down for generations. Ceramics are also famous in the Chubu Region, the “Seto Yaki” [Seto ware] of Aichi Prefecture generated the word “Setomono” [ceramics], Kutani Yaki [Kutani ware] of Ishikawa Prefecture has colorful and elegant patterns, and Mino Yaki [Mino ware] of Gifu Prefecture has the largest production volume of the ceramics in Japan. Chubu Region is also famous for lacquerware, the Wajima Nuri [Wajima Lacquerware] of Ishikawa Prefecture combining beauty and robustness with gorgeous gold-inlay chin-kin and maki-e, decorations created using gold or silver dust and lacquerware, and Kiso Shikki [Kiso Lacquerware] of Gifu Prefecture bringing out the warmth produced by the beautiful grain of the wood. The other masterpieces of the Chubu Region are wool and silk fabrics, furniture, and Buddhist altar equipment.
The Chubu Region is home to numerous excellent and renowned onsen [hot springs]. Shizuoka Prefecture, home to two of the major onsens [hot springs] in Japan. One being the Atami Onsen [hot springs] listed as the three major onsen [hot springs] in Japan and is said to have been visited by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the other is the Ito Onsen [hot springs] which has been a favorite of numerous cultural artists foregone. Famous for monkeys bathing in the onsen [hot springs] is the Jigokudani Onsen [hot springs] in Nagano Prefecture. Known for “water of beauty”, the Gero Onsen [hot springs] in Gifu Prefecture is noted for the smooth onsen [hot springs]. Mikurigaike Onsen [hot springs] in Toyama Prefecture is the highest located onsen [hot spring] in Japan.
Ise Jingu [Shrine] in Mie Prefecture, officially “Jingu”, consists of the Kotaijingu [Naiku], the most venerable sanctuary in Japan dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami, and Toyo’uke-daijingu [Geku], dedicated to Toyo’uke-no-Omikami, and the 125 Jinja [Shito Shrine] centered around the two. The area is roughly the same as the center of Paris. More than 1,500 rituals are conducted here yearly to pray for the prosperity of the Imperial family, world peace, and the abundant harvest. It is a long customary to visit the Toyo’uke-daijingu [Geku] first and then to the Kotaijingu [Naiku]. The admiration and reverence for the Jingu [shrine] has not dimmed over time even today, some 8 million people from Japan and abroad visit the shrine to pay respects.
Nagoya Travel Guide