The Japanese Alps & Central Japan
The Japanese Alps run through the centre of Honshu Island, an area known as ‘the Roof of Japan’. A popular natural playground for hikers, climbers and sightseers in all seasons, much of the area is protected as a National Park. Nagano, the prefectural capital, hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is renowned for its great Zenkoji Pilgrimage Temple. The surrounding area abounds in skiing and hot spring resorts. Matsumoto is the main gateway to the Alps and retains its original medieval castle. The nearby Kamikochi Highlands are a favourite destination for hikers, particularly in the autumn when the colours of the leaves are spectacular.
Takayama is famous for its colourful festivals and boasts a largely preserved 17th-century townscape. The historic city of Kanazawa is known for the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden and for a range of traditional industries such as silk-dying and ceramics. To the north, the Noto Peninsula’s dramatic coastline and tiny fishing villages attract adventurers, while to the south are the great Zen temple complex of Eiheiji and the picturesque Shirakawa-go folk villages. One hour by boat from the coastal city of Niigata lies Sado Island: rural, unspoilt, and home to the world-famous Kodo Drummers.
Nagoya is Japan’s fourth-largest city, noted for its porcelain industry, textile and lacquer crafts. Nagoya Castle is an impressive sight, as is Atsuta Jingu, one of Japan’s most important shrines. Meiji Mura is an extensive outdoor museum of characteristic buildings from the Meiji period. Japan’s pre-eminent Shinto shrine is the revered Ise Grand Shrine, located one hour 30 minutes from Nagoya. The Ise Shima National Park protects the scenic coastal area dotted with numerous small pearl fishing villages. The port of Toba is famous for its ‘Married Rocks’, two islets linked by a massive Shinto rope. Mikimoto Pearl Island features demonstrations of techniques used in the pearl industry.
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