Chubu

Chubu Guides

Nagoya, Shirakawa-go, Tateyama-Kurobe — deep dives into central Japan. (15 in-depth guides)

Nagoya Travel Guide 2027: Castle, Ghibli Park & Nagoya Meshi

Chubu's gateway and an underrated food city — Nagoya Castle's Honmaru Palace, the Aichi Ghibli Park, Atsuta Shrine and hitsumabushi.

Chubu · Castle

Can you go inside Nagoya Castle? 2026 ticket guide

The keep is shut but the grounds are open — how the October 2026 price doubling works, and why the Honmaru Palace is the real draw.

Chubu · Winter

Nabana no Sato Illumination: Light Tunnel & Access

One of Japan's longest winter illuminations near Nagoya — the 200m light tunnel, admission, timing, and how to get there from the city.

Chubu · Karuizawa

Karuizawa Guide 2026: Kumoba Pond, Shiraito Falls & Outlets

Tokyo's easiest highland escape, 60 minutes by Hokuriku Shinkansen — Kumoba Pond reflections, Shiraito Falls, the Prince outlet, Hoshino-area churches and Harunire Terrace.

Chubu · Nagano

Nagano Snow Monkeys & Zenkoji Guide 2026

Eighty minutes from Tokyo by bullet train: wild snow monkeys bathing at Jigokudani (¥800), the 1,400-year Zenkoji and its pitch-black under-altar passage, Shibu Onsen and Obuse.

Chubu · Kiso Valley

Kiso Valley Guide 2026: Magome, Tsumago & the Nakasendo Walk

The best-preserved stretch of the old Nakasendo: car-free Tsumago-juku, sloping Magome-juku, and the classic 8 km walk over Magome Pass with ¥1,000 baggage forwarding.

Chubu · Toyama

Toyama & Kurobe Gorge Guide 2026: Torokko, Gokayama & Coast

Hokuriku's most underrated stop, 2h10 from Tokyo. In 2026 the Kurobe Gorge torokko runs only to Nekomata after the 2024 quake; plus World-Heritage Gokayama and the Amaharashi coast.

Chubu · Fukui

Fukui Guide 2026: Eiheiji, Tojinbo & the Dinosaur Museum

Since the Hokuriku Shinkansen reached Fukui in March 2024, Tokyo is 2h51m away. Eiheiji is a Soto Zen head temple, Tojinbo a 25m basalt sea cliff, and the Dinosaur Museum runs on timed reservations.

Chubu · Hida-Takayama

Hida-Takayama Guide 2027: Old Town, Jinya, Hida Beef & Festival

The little Kyoto of Hida — the Sanmachi old streets, Japan's only surviving jinya, the morning market, Hida beef and the Takayama Festival.

Chubu · Tateyama Kurobe

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 2027: Snow Walls, Kurobe Dam & Tickets

A high-mountain route across the Northern Alps, mid-April to late November only — the Snow Walls, Kurobe Dam discharge and six transport modes.

Chubu · Kanazawa

Kanazawa Travel Guide 2027: Kenrokuen, 21st Century Museum & Chaya

The craft old capital of Kaga — the three-great-garden Kenrokuen, the 21st Century Museum pool, Higashi Chaya gold leaf and Omicho Market seafood.

Chubu · Matsumoto

Matsumoto Guide 2027: Matsumoto Castle, Nakamachi & Kamikochi Gateway

The old capital of Shinshu with National Treasure Matsumoto Castle — the black Crow Castle, the old streets, a Kusama museum, gateway to Kamikochi.

Chubu · Kamikochi

Kamikochi Hiking Guide 2027: Kappabashi, Taisho Pond, Season & Access

An alpine valley in the Northern Alps, one of Japan's loveliest mountain landscapes — Kappabashi, Taisho Pond, hiking routes, car-free and mid-April to mid-November only.

Anime · Hida