中 部 地 方 (C H Ū B Ū)
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Chuubu is the region between Kansai (Osaka and Kyoto) and Kanto (Tokyo). Historically is Chuubu usually a part of the Kansai-Region. The nine Chubuu prefectures are Shizuoka, Aichi, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Fukui, Ishikawa, Toyama and Niigata. The eastern border runs from the Izu peninsula up to Niigata. The western border runs west of Nagoya in northwest direction. Lake Biwa is part of Kansai. Sum up: (rule: SHOULD is MUST if CAN):
- MUST: Hida-Takayama, Shirakawa-go/Ainokura
- SHOULD: Hida-Furukawa, Nagano, Matsumoto, Yudanaka/Shibu Onsen, Kanazawa
- can: Eihei-ji
[I’m a fan of japan-guide.com. The picture is a URL link]
In the south of Chuubuu, along the shoreline, are the Tokaido-Shinkansen-tracks. Since 2015 (?) the Joetsu-Shinkansen, who connects Tokyo with Nagano, terminates at Joetsu-Myoko at the northern coast. From there starts the Hokuriko-Shinkansen, follows the northern shoreline, and terminates in Kanazawa. (It is planned to extend the Hokuriko further to Fukui an then back down to the Tokaido tracks.) The northernmost prefecture Niigata is supported by the Niigata branch of the Yoetsu-Shinkansen.
Main lines running from Nagoya thru the Kiso valley via Matsumoto to Nagano. Another line is going from Nagoya via Gifu to Takayama and further to Toyama. An the norhtern shoreline is another line that (coming from Kyoto) connects Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyaa, Myoko and Nagaoka. Beside Japan Rail are operating many other train companies.
I have seperated Chuubu into a north part and a south part. The divider is the Nakasendo / the Chuo train line. Highlights are Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa. Beside that there are Nagano, Shibu and Matsumoto worth mentioning.
(飛騨)高山 : Hida-Takayama — MUST VISIT, 2 days+
Takayama is for sure a must visit. Maybe not for the first visit to Japan, when you are busy with Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura, Nikko and all the other cities along the Shinkansen tracks. But it will be a highlight at your second trip. The old city center is an area ov several narrow streets with old wooden houses. There is an open air museum close by and twice a year there is a big famous festival, that is mentioned in every tour guide to Japan. You should plan two days, during the festival time maybe three. — Furukawa is worth a day trip. And there are busses to Ainokura. A remote place with old farm houes in the middle of nowhere. Ainokura and the village Shirakawago next by are Unesco World Heritage, like Takayama itself.
(飛騨)古川 : Furukawa — SHOULD, 1 day
Furukawa is a good destination for a day trip from Takayama. It is a small town. There are two temples a craftsmen museum, you should visit. They show how Japanese built there houses; how the connect the peaces of wood without nails. Very Intersting. There are some nice streets. All together a nice place. Including the train travel you need less than a day.
白川郷: Shirakawa-go / 相倉: Ainokura — MUST VISIT, 2 days
Shirakawako and Ainokura are two remote villages in the mountains. The time forgot these places centuries ago. Nothing happens here. But that is the reason you have to visit these towns. It is a peace of acient Japan. I stayed in Ainokura in winter time, several metre of snow. Most of the old houses are converted into minshuku (japanese version of B&B). After my stay in 2012 this place and a night in the houses is a „must visit“; but only in winter time.
There are bus connections (pricy) from Takayama and from Kanazawa too. So there is chance to you the place for a travel route from the south coast (Nagoya) via Takayama to the northern coast (Kanazawa).
金沢 : Kanazawa — SHOULD, 1 day
Kanazawa has the Kenroku-en; one of the three famous perfect japanese gardens. The castle of Kanazawa is under recontruction bit by bit. But for now the is no charactistic central tower. There are also two streets with old tea houses. And there is a fish market where you can buy good sashimi and sake. Kenroku-en is a must visit, but the rest is only a can visit. In total it is a should visit for Kanazawa. Since 2015 Kanazawa is connected to the shinkansen network. That makes things much easier. From Kanazawa is a normal train via Fukui (Eihie-ji) to Kyoto.
Bus: Takayama – Shirakawa – Kanazawa
There is a bus connection between Takayama and Kanazawa via Shirakawa-go. And only by this bus (or by rental car) you can go to Shirokawa-go.
長野 : Nagano — SHOULD, 1/2 day
I visited Nagano twice; but both times only for a few hours. So far I would say that the only attraction is the big and famous temple. You can reach it in a direct line from the train station. Take a bus. The way is long and a little bit boring. You need half a day. Nagano therefore is perfect a stop over. Question is only: On which travel? Nagano is connected to Tokyo by Shinkansen; very convenient. Nagano is also a gateway to the japanese alps and the hot spring resorts.
松本 : Matsumoto — SHOULD, 1/2 day
The castle is a good argument for Matsumoto. But this the only one. The castle is a little bit away from the train station, but in walking distance. My recommendaction is similar to Nagano: good for a stop over. For a Matsumoto-only daytrip there is not enough.
Matsumoto und Nagano
Nagano and Matsumoto together only habe enough stuff to fill one day. Therefore there are 3 options:
- (a) Both on a stop over: if you move from Kisodani to Tokyo for example. But this idea is also hard core because you need a stop watch for success.
- (b) A stop over with night stay: On this option you nay loose one day but you can discover both cities to the fulliest without time stress. Maybe an option for a long distance hotel change.
- (c) A day trip starting from Tokyo: Take the shinkansen to Nagano visit the temple and change by train to Matsumoto during lunch time. Visit the castle and return to Tokyo in the evening. This needs a little bit of planning but it is possible if you get up early in the morning. And you don’t have to deal with any luggage.
The caslte in Matsumoto and the temple in Narita are a must visit, but because of their tricky location and no other attraction close to, I would recommend both for a second trip to Japan. For a first trip consider them only if you stay 4 weeks or longer.
湯田中 : Yudanaka / 渋温泉 : Shibu Onsen — SHOULD, 1 day
I already mentioned that Nagano is the gateway into the mountains. The train ends in Yudanake. You should move a city further to Shibu Onsen. This place a specialty: 9 public onsen and a towel. Both are part of the top-5-memories of my first trip to Japan. Access to the public onsen is only granted for tourist that stay over night in a local hotel. Visit all nine onsen and the two temples, put a stamp on the towel to document the visit. It is said, that it will bring you a long and healthy life. And you have a unique souvenir. (I already have two towels).
Another attraction are the bathing monkeys. The are famous and life in the mountains of Shibu Onsen. Here also the olympic games 1998 took place. It is a hot spring and winter sport resort. By the way: In summer time there is a bus going to Kusatsu onsen, the other hot spring and winter resort. But just in the winter the bus is not going, because of all the snow.
永平寺 : Eheiji — can, 1/2 day
Eiheiji is the „Temple of inner peace“ and the main temple of the Soto school of buddhism. The temple is nice and has a significant cultural importance. Because if its location far away from normal travel routes, I classify this temple only as a „can visit“. Getting there is a little bit complicated. First you have to travel to Fukui by train and then take a bus t oto the temple. There are only a few busses a day. The temple is a good stop-over if you chance your base camp between Kyoto and Kanazawa.
| am Shinkansen | an Hauptlinie | an Nebenstrecken | abseits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya | Kisodani | Obuse | Shirakawa-go |
| Shizuoka | Matsumoto | Yamanouchi | Eiheiji |
| Karuizawa | Hakube | Bessho Onsen | Noto Peninsula |
| Nagano | Gifu | Five Lakes | Sado Island |
| Toyama | Gero | Gujo | Izu Peninsula |
| Takakoka | Takayama | Takato Castle | Okuhida |
| Kanazawa | Furukawa | Togura | Kamikochi |
| Echigo-Yuzawa | Kaga Onsen | Fujinomiya | Norikura |
| Niigata | Fukui | Kurobe Gorge | Mt. Fuji |
| Ueda | Lake Hamanako | ||
| Echigo-Tsumari | |||
| Nozawa Onsen |
In der Karte aufgeführt, aber keine Touristenorte (idR sind es Umsteigepunkte)
- Central Japan Airport (nationaler Airport, Nagoya)
- Kofu
- Nagaoka