The Japanese Alps
This mountain range offers some of Japan's finest hiking, notably around the preserved valley of Kamikochi, closed to private car traffic year-round.
Chubu
Japan's central region, Chubu stretches from the rugged peaks of the Japanese Alps down to the coast, taking in Nagoya, a major industrial city, and Kanazawa, known for its gardens and crafts. Between high-altitude hikes, preserved traditional villages and historic castles, the region offers a lesser-known mountainous side of Japan.
Why visit Chubu?
Chubu holds the Japanese Alps, a mountain range offering some of the country's finest hiking landscapes, along with remarkably preserved historic villages such as Takayama and Shirakawa-go. The region also combines urban heritage, with Kanazawa's gardens and Matsumoto Castle, and industrial dynamism around Nagoya, Japan's major automotive metropolis.
What to discover in Chubu?
Chubu stands out for the presence of the Japanese Alps, a mountain range crossing several prefectures and offering renowned hikes, notably around Kamikochi, a preserved valley closed to private cars year-round. Takayama, a town with well-preserved Edo-period lanes, serves as the gateway to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO-listed village known for its traditional steep thatched-roof farmhouses. Matsumoto, further east, holds one of Japan's oldest surviving castles, nicknamed the crow castle for its dark, distinctive facade.
On the coast, Kanazawa escaped bombing during the Second World War and preserves an intact architectural heritage, including Kenroku-en, considered one of the country's finest landscape gardens, and a remarkably preserved samurai district worth exploring on foot. Nagoya, the region's main metropolis, contrasts with its industrial dynamism, notably automotive, and its rebuilt historic castle. Well served by the Shinkansen and regional lines, Chubu makes it easy to combine mountain nature, craft heritage and contemporary urban life within a single, well-balanced trip across the region.
Cities to visit in Chubu
Featured destinations appear first.
Coming soon.
Chubu in pictures
Chubu's Must-Sees
Six experiences that capture the spirit of the region, between mountains, traditional villages and urban heritage.
Takayama's Old Town
Its Edo-period lanes lined with wooden houses, traditional sake breweries and morning market make it an essential stop in the Japanese Alps.
Shirakawa-go Village
UNESCO-listed, this mountain village preserves traditional steep thatched-roof farmhouses, particularly spectacular when covered in snow during the depths of winter.
Kanazawa's Kenroku-en Garden
Considered one of Japan's three finest landscape gardens, this historic garden is worth visiting in any season for its ever-changing floral displays.
Matsumoto Castle
Nicknamed the crow castle for its dark facade, this building ranks among the oldest original castles still standing anywhere in Japan today.
Nagoya's Industrial Energy
Japan's major automotive metropolis, Nagoya combines a rebuilt castle, technology museums and a distinctive local food scene just hours from Tokyo.
Practical Information
- Prefectures
- 9 (Aichi, Gifu, Nagano, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Shizuoka)
- Main cities
- Nagoya, Kanazawa, Nagano, Shizuoka
- Area
- About 72,600 km²
- Population
- About 21 million
- Language
- Japanese
- Currency
- Japanese yen (¥)
- Time zone
- UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Best season
- Spring, summer (hiking) and autumn
Frequently Asked Questions about Chubu
How many days should I plan for Chubu?
A week allows you to comfortably combine Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa at a relaxed pace, while reserving a few extra days for hiking in the surrounding Japanese Alps mountains nearby.
How do you get around Chubu?
Trains serve major cities like Nagoya and Kanazawa well, but regional buses remain necessary to reach Takayama and Shirakawa-go from the region's main train stations nearby each single time you travel.
When should I visit Chubu for hiking?
Summer, from July to September, offers the best conditions for exploring the Japanese Alps, notably the Kamikochi valley, while higher mountain trails often remain snow-covered until early June each year.
Can Shirakawa-go be visited as a day trip from Takayama?
Yes, the village can be reached in about an hour by local bus from Takayama, allowing a comfortable day trip while staying overnight in the historic old town nearby too.
Does Kanazawa deserve an extended visit?
Yes, between Kenroku-en garden, the samurai district and the Higashi Chaya geisha district, two full days allow for a calm, thorough discovery of the whole city's rich preserved heritage overall.
Is Chubu suitable for a first trip to Japan?
Yes, the region combines nature, traditional villages and accessible cities, offering a complementary contrast to Tokyo or Kyoto for a balanced, well-rounded and truly memorable first-time visitor itinerary throughout the country.
Plan your trip to Chubu
Day-by-day itinerary, budget, bookings and packing in a single app.
