Chubu Region
Chubu is central Honshu - the soaring Japanese Alps, the thatched villages of Shirakawa-go, the old towns of Takayama and Kanazawa, and Mount Fuji on its eastern edge.
Chubu at a Glance#
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Chubu spans the Japanese Alps from the Pacific to the Sea of Japan - old towns, castles, mountains and Mount Fuji’s back side.
Why go / don’t miss: the thatched Shirakawa-go villages, the old streets of Takayama, the gardens and geisha districts of Kanazawa, the black keep of Matsumoto castle, and the snow monkeys of Nagano.
Areas: Nagoya (the big city); Takayama and Shirakawa-go in the mountains; Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan; and Nagano/Matsumoto in the Alps.
Getting around: the Hokuriku and Tokaido Shinkansen serve Kanazawa and Nagoya; buses and local lines reach the mountain towns.
When to go: Apr-May and Oct-Nov are gorgeous; winter for snow (Shirakawa-go light-ups, skiing, snow monkeys).
Where to stay: Kanazawa or Takayama for atmosphere, Nagoya for transport.
Dining: Hida beef, Nagoya’s miso katsu and hitsumabushi, and fresh Sea-of-Japan seafood in Kanazawa.
Local tips: the Alpine towns are the draw - give Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa a few days together.
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