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

Attraction
Nagano

Kamikochi

Kamikochi Alpine Valley

Japan's premier alpine valley in the Northern Japan Alps, featuring the crystal-clear Azusa River...

Nagano, Japan
Onsen
Shizuoka

Atami

Atami - Tokyo's Seaside Hot Spring Escape, Reborn

A classic seaside onsen city 45 minutes from Tokyo by shinkansen, experiencing a vibrant renaissa...

Shizuoka, Japan
Landmark
Yamanashi

Chureito Pagoda

Standing five stories tall against the backdrop of Japan's best-known mountain, Chureito Pagoda o...

Yamanashi, Japan
Attraction
Shizuoka

Izu Peninsula

Coastal Resort with Hot Springs and Beaches

A mountainous coastal peninsula southwest of Tokyo, famous for hot spring resorts, beautiful beac...

Izu, Shizuoka, Japan
Historic Site
Gifu

Gujo Hachiman

Gujo Hachiman - Castle Town of Dance and Crystal Waters

A scenic Gifu castle town famous for its clear waterways, the all-night Gujo Odori dance festival...

Gujo, Gifu, Japan
Historic Site
Shizuoka

Shimoda

Shimoda - Where Japan Opened to the World

The historic port where Commodore Perry's Black Ships arrived in 1854, opening Japan to internati...

Shizuoka, Japan
Historic Site
Gifu

Shirakawa-go

UNESCO Thatched-Roof Village

UNESCO World Heritage village with traditional gassho-zukuri thatched-roof farmhouses in a remote...

Shirakawa, Gifu, Japan
Attraction
Toyama

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

A spectacular mountain transit route through the Northern Japan Alps with towering snow walls and...

Tateyama, Toyama, Japan
Museum
Ishikawa

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Kanazawa's Round Contemporary Art Museum

A striking circular glass museum by SANAA architects, famous for its interactive Swimming Pool in...

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Attraction
Nagano

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Snow Monkeys Bathing in Hot Springs

The world-famous site where wild Japanese macaques bathe in natural hot springs, especially photo...

Yamanouchi, Nagano, Japan
Historic Site
Yamanashi

Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba

Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba is a restored thatched-roof village at the northwestern base of Mount ...

Yamanashi, Japan
Onsen
Gifu

Gero Onsen

Gero Onsen - One of Japan's Three Great Hot Spring Towns

One of Japan's three great onsen towns alongside Kusatsu and Arima, celebrated for its silky alka...

Gifu, Japan
Castle
Ishikawa

Kanazawa Castle

Maeda Clan Castle with White Lead Roof Tiles

The castle of the wealthy Maeda clan, featuring beautifully reconstructed gates and turrets with ...

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Attraction
Fukui

Tojinbo Cliffs

Dramatic volcanic columnar basalt cliffs stretching one kilometer along the Sea of Japan coast, a...

Sakai, Fukui, Japan
Attraction
Shizuoka

Oigawa Railway

Steam Locomotive Line with Thomas Trains and a Mountain Branch

A private railway in central Shizuoka that runs regular steam locomotive trains, seasonal Thomas ...

Shimada, Shizuoka, Japan