The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast Travel Guide

Guidebooks

No trip to Japan is complete without spending a few days in this central alpine region. Until the 20th century brought highways and railways to central Japan, villages here were largely isolated from the rest of the country. Unique traditions still linger in this region of snow-topped mountains, coastal cliffs, open-air hot springs, and superb hiking and skiing.

Hotels

The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast Hotels

Accommodations run the gamut from Japanese-style inns to large, modern hotels. Ryokan and minshuku (guesthouses) serve traditional Japanese food, and usually...read more

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Restaurants

The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast Restaurants

Traditional Japanese ryotei specialize in seasonal delicacies while casual eateries serve delicious home-style cooking and regional dishes. Western fare...read more

Fodor's Choice

Things To Do

Things To Do in The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast

Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.

Travel Deals in The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast

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Hotels

The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast Experiences

  • Top Reasons to Go to The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast

    Onsen: The salty, calcium-rich waters of coastal thermal spas and iron- and sulfur-heavy springs in the mountains make your skin smooth, your... Read more

  • Gassho-zukuri Farmhouses

    It's tempting to think of traditional domestic architecture in Japan, with its paper windows and tatami mats and sliding screens as, well, insubstantial... Read more

  • Get Your Festival On

    Takayama's spring and fall festivals (April 14 and 15 and October 9 and 10) transform the usually quiet town into a rowdy, colorful party, culminating... Read more

  • On the Menu

    Every microregion in Japan's alpine region has its specialties and unique style of preparing seafood from the Sea of Japan. Vitamin-rich seaweed... Read more

  • Heartbeat of Sado Island

    A hawk flies overhead as the sky deepens to the indigo of the kimonos the two women are wearing. With an elegant flick, the batchi resounds against... Read more

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· Forums Trip Reports

  • Kyushu Trip May 2013

    Trip Report Kyushu May 2013
    I will try to trace our Kyushu trip for forum members and those interested in this part of Japan.
    Here is basic itinerary
    0-- Depart Hawaii, Hawaiian Air - Honolulu -Fukuoka Read more

  • A tale of two Japans: a trip report

    Greetings all
    We are back, and I am jotting down a few things quickly while my mind is still fresh.
    First off: thanks to the many Japanophiles here on Fodors who infected us with their enthusiasm: hawaiiantraveller, Read more

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