Things to Do in Chubu, Japan

Central Japan: Mount Fuji, the Japan Alps, historic post towns and the Sea of Japan coast.

105 destinations across 9 prefectures

Suggested Itineraries

Places to Visit in Chubu

Gotanjoji Temple photo
Temple
Fukui

Gotanjoji Temple

Gotanjoji Temple: Echizen's Cat Temple

A working Soto Zen training temple in the hills of Echizen City that became famous as the cat tem...

Echizen, Fukui, Japan
Fukui Kodomo Kazokukan photo
Attraction
Fukui

Fukui Kodomo Kazokukan

Fukui Kodomo Kazokukan Children's Center

A large indoor play-and-learning center for children at the Umin-pia Ohi seaside complex on the W...

Oi, Fukui, Japan
Historic Site
Nagano

Tsumago-juku

Japan's best-preserved Nakasendo post town where cars are banned from the historic center, offeri...

Nagiso, Nagano, Japan
City
Aichi

Nagoya

Japan's industrial powerhouse with a proud castle, unique local cuisine, and the Toyota heritage.

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Attraction
Niigata

Echigo-Tsumari Art Field

The World's Largest Outdoor Art Festival

Spanning 760 square kilometers of rural Niigata, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field is the world's larg...

Tokamachi, Niigata, Japan
City
Ishikawa

Kanazawa

A preserved castle town with Kenrokuen Garden, samurai districts, geisha quarters, and 99% of Jap...

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Historic Site
Ishikawa

Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District

Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District - Edo-Era Geisha Quarter

One of Japan's best-preserved geisha districts, featuring Edo-period wooden teahouses, gold leaf ...

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Attraction
Yamanashi

Kawaguchiko

Lake Kawaguchi

Scenic lake at the northern base of Mount Fuji, with classic views and year-round outdoor activit...

Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Japan
Neighborhood
Aichi

Osu Shopping District

Nagoya's Vibrant Retro Shopping Arcade

A lively covered shopping district with over 1,200 shops spanning electronics, vintage clothing, ...

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Museum
Toyama

Toyama Glass Art Museum

A museum designed by architect Kengo Kuma, featuring intricate timber lattice interiors and accla...

Toyama, Japan
Garden
Ishikawa

Kenroku-en

One of Japan's Three Great Gardens

Considered one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens, known for six attributes of an ...

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Temple
Ishikawa

Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)

A Temple of Hidden Traps and Secret Passages

A fascinating temple built with hidden staircases, trap doors, and secret passages as defensive m...

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Attraction
Toyama

Kurobe Gorge

Japan's Deepest V-Shaped Gorge

Japan's deepest V-shaped gorge traversed by a scenic trolley train through sweeping mountain scen...

Kurobe, Toyama, Japan
City
Nagano

Obuse

A charming small town in northern Nagano famous for the Hokusai Museum, beautifully landscaped st...

Obuse, Nagano, Japan
Historic Site
Toyama

Gokayama

UNESCO Thatched-Roof Mountain Village

Secluded UNESCO World Heritage village with traditional gassho-zukuri thatched-roof farmhouses, a...

Nanto, Toyama, Japan