The Central Japan offers plenty of must-visit attractions!

We would like to introduce some of the best and unique tourism spots in Central Japan.
Explore yourself to find the hidden charm of Central Japan, such as the spectacular view created by nature and the traditional crafts that people have nurtured for generations.

Let's experience the history, tradition and nature Tourist Attractions

Shirakawago

Gifu

Gassho-zukuri traditional village where people still live in

The villages line with gassho-style houses in one of Japan's most heavy snowfall areas. The houses face north and south, and it is spectacular to see more than 50 gassho-style houses lined up. The gassho-style houses that have been inherited for many generations are protected by the cooperation of the local people.

Gokayama Ainokura Village

Toyama

A gassho-style village with rustic Japanese original landscape

Gokayama Ainokura village is dotted with beautiful gassho-style houses and rice paddies blessed with abundant water. Now, people still live in the village and inherit some of the oldest folk songs in Japan like the "Kokiriko". In winter, you can see a fantastic village surrounded by snow.

Takayama/Old Townscape

Gifu

Old townscape that was developed as a merchant town

A town that was developed as a merchant town in the center of the castle town. Even now, there are many shops such as stores selling traditional craft, local specialty Mitarashi dango, and Hida beef. In this town which retains the original atmosphere of 400 years ago, cafes utilizing old buildings are also gaining great popularity.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Toyama

The snow wall "Yuki-no-Otani", which is as high as 20 meters, is a real masterpiece

One of the world's leading mountain sightseeing routes that runs through the Northern Alps at an altitude of 3000 meters. Everyone can easily enjoy the spectacular view by using various types of transportation available here. You can also feel the impressiveness of the 20-meter Yuki-no-Otani snow wall closely.

Shinhotaka Ropeway

Gifu

Take the ropeway and feel the Northern Alps with your whole body

A ropeway where you can enjoy the mountains of the Northern Alps with a 360-degree panorama. The total length of the two ropeways is 3200 meters, and they are the only two-story gondola being used in Japan. It was renewed in July 2020. You can enjoy the magnificent view of autumn leaves in autumn and fresh snow in winter.

Hida Furukawa Kurayoshi Shirakabe Dozo-gun

Gifu

A place with Seto River Canal where carps swim, and the nostalgic Kurayoshi Shirakabe Dozo town

In this town, there is a river where about 1,000 colorful carps swim, and a beautiful town where the Kurayoshi Shirakabe Dozo that stretches for about 500 meters in harmony. The colorful flowers blooming on the riverside and the red color of the carps are beautiful, so it is incredibly famous as a photogenic spot. You can also take a walk while feeding the carps.

Dekonaru-za

Gifu

Live show that you can watch and experience the traditional performing arts

A facility where you can enjoy live shows of traditional performing arts that combine traditional Japanese musical instruments such as Japanese drums, shamisen, and shinobue, as well as lion dances, Japanese dances, and folk songs. Your whole family can enjoy Japanese culture in one show of about 45 minutes.

Kenrokuen

Ishikawa

A famous garden where you can enjoy nature throughout the four seasons

It is one of the "Three Great Gardens of Japan” where the vast garden is dotted with artificial hills, ponds, teahouses, and more. You can enjoy each of the scenery and strolling around the garden. Also, the scenery of the four seasons throughout the year are gorgeous. Especially in winter, you can see Kanazawa's winter tradition of "Yukitsuri", which is set to protect the branches from snow.

Oyama Shrine

Ishikawa

The unique architecture inspired from the three cultures

The "Shrine Gate", which uses three architectural styles of Japan, China, and the West, which are also rare in Japan. The place is designated as an Important Cultural Property of the country. In particular, the stained glass embedded on the top floor is symbolic, and you can see the lights up at night.

Higashi Chaya District

Ishikawa

The photogenic cityscape with a traditional atmosphere

This is one of the teahouse town that represent Kanazawa culture. There are many fashionable cafes using tradesmen's houses and store selling traditional crafts such as gold leaf. The place is popular not only for strolling, but you can also rent kimono and take many great photos.

Shogawa Sightseeing Boat

Toyama

Take a sightseeing boat to enjoy fantastic painting-like landscape

A sightseeing boat where you can enjoy the scenery of Shogawakyo in four seasons. During snowy season, you can see beautiful painting-like scenery from this warm sightseeing boat. It is also known as a SNS-worthy spot in recent years. There are 2 courses available.

Zuiryuji Temple

Toyama

A 400-year-old national treasure temple that shines on green grass

It is a temple built in a style called "Garan building arrangement in Zen Buddhist style", which is dynamic but delicate. The place is recognized as a national treasure. The calculated layout of the buildings, which took 20 years to build, and the lights which change in different seasons, are something worth to take a look.

Doraemon Tram

Toyama

©Fujiko-pro

The Special Tram car with Doraemon theme

Tram on the Manyosen Streetcar The manga artist Fujiko F. Fujio, who is the creator of "Doraemon," was born in Takaoka City, and the tram appeared in 2012 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of "Doraemon.” The inside of the tram, which you can get on from the door anywhere, is full of characters and secret tools.

Tojinbo

Fukui

The masterpiece created by natural rough waves.

A cliff with rough rock pillars extending for 1,000 meters. Above all, the rough waves that hit the cliffs of the earth with a quay height of 20 meters or more are so powerful that you can even feel the horror. If you board a sightseeing boat, you can enjoy the masterpiece, such as rocks look like lions, created by nature.

Dinosaur Museum

Fukui

An impressive museum where you can also experience fossil excavation

One of the world’s largest museums in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, which is known as a treasure trove of dinosaur fossils. You can enjoy more than 40 complete skeletons of dinosaurs, fossils, specimens, large restored diorama, etc. You can also experience fossil excavation near the dinosaur fossil excavation site.

TV Tower and the nearby area

Nagoya

Reborn of the TV Tower and new spots

The area centered on Japan's first centralized radio tower, which was completely renovated in 2020. You can enjoy various facilities such as a cafe where you can relax while viewing the scenery, a hotel that leverages the design of the TV tower, and a park with hammocks.

Let's enjoy the blessings of nature Gourmet

Hida Beef

Gifu

The peak of fine and soft Japanese beef

Beef from the Japanese cattle raised in blessed nature. The meat quality is extra fine and extremely soft, with a mellow flavor that melts in your mouth. You can enjoy it as sukiyaki or shabu-shabu. Recently, dishes such as skewered grilled beef, nigiri sushi using high-class Japanese beef can be easily enjoyed and become popular with tourists.

Omicho Market

Ishikawa

A market loved by Kanazawa citizens, where you can enjoy famous fresh seafood rice bowl

A market supporting the food culture of people living in Kanazawa. Approximately 170 shops line up in the narrow street, and you can find a wide variety of fresh seafood and locally grown vegetables and fruits. Their specialty is the seafood rice bowl made from seafood caught in the Sea of Japan. One of the best parts is to enjoy conversations with the shop staff.

Toyama Bay Sushi/White Shrimp

Toyama

Dishes of the local fish grown in the blessed sea

At Toyama Bay, where melted snow water is poured, a wide variety of plants grow due to the landforms and ocean currents. Toyama Bay sushi made from the local fish is outstandingly fresh with a wide variety. The sweet and soft white shrimp is the representative seafood of Toyama, and you can enjoy it in various dishes such as sashimi or kakiage (mixed vegetables and seafood tempura).

Gold Leaf Soft Ice Cream

Ishikawa

©HAKUICHI

Luxurious soft-serve ice cream having one sheet of gold leaf

Luxurious soft-serve ice cream provided by a store in Kanazawa known as the city of gold leaf. A sheet of gold leaf is boldly placed on the soft-serve ice cream, which is photogenic itself. Be sure to enjoy the moment when the gold leaf is placed in front of you.

Echizen Crab

Fukui

Top brand crab that is said to be the king of winter taste

Snow crab is known as the top brand among Japanese snow crabs. There are more than 70 shops selling Echizen Crabs in Echizen-cho, and one of the attractions is that you can enjoy Sashimi, grilled crabs, sukiyaki-style crab hot pot, etc. with your favorite cooking style.

Buddhist Cuisine

Fukui

Traditional dishes focusing on vegetables

It is a dish that was originally introduced from China to Japan along with Buddhism and developed with the spread of Zen Buddhism in Japan. The dish is made over the generations to suit Japanese with the heart and hands of the Japanese chef. According to the Buddhist commandments, the food is designed to focus on vegetables, so that they do not have strong taste.

Experience the unique culture nurtured by local natural features Experience

Casting Making Workshop (Casting)

Toyama

Experience making daily necessities of 100% pure tin

"Nousaku Tinware" offers products using tin, which is hard to oxidize and has excellent antibacterial effect, with outstanding design. At the workshop, you can experience making tin products such as small plates, by yourself by using the green sand casting, a method of compacting sand and making the shape.

Satoyama Cycling

Gifu

Cycling to feel the air of Satoyama with your skin

It is a cycling course where you can feel the beauty of rural villages in each season. The experienced guides will politely guide you through the daily lives, culture, and history of the people in Satoyama. The breeze of the Satoyama that you can feel while riding a bicycle through the place is fantastic.

Awara Onsen (Accommodation)

Fukui

This hot spring town is an ideal place for your trip

There are many inns with beautiful Japanese gardens, and you can enjoy strolling around the street of this hot spring town. There are 74 hot springs that bubble up so you can enjoy walking around the city, and taking footbath in Japanese Yukata In addition, there are various cultural experience to try such as geisha/apprentice geisha makeup experience or Zashiki (meeting with Geiko) experience.

"Meieki" Area (Shopping/Accommodation)

Nagoya

A shopping paradise with excellent access from the station

Around Nagoya station, called "Meieki" area, it is a perfect area for those who want to buy souvenirs and products that can only be bought in Japan. Shopping places such as "JR Nagoya Takashimaya" and "Gate Tower Mall" are lined up. There are also accommodation facilities such as "Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel" and "Nagoya JR Gate Tower Hotel" which are directly connected to the station. Restaurants where you can enjoy Nagoya's specialty gourmet food are also there.

Let's touch the master pieces that the craftsman's skill shines Traditional Crafts

Echizen Lacquerware

Fukui

Traditional lacquerware that maintains quality through a division of the production

A traditional craft born in Fukui where lacquerware lives in every corner of life. It boasts stable quality and high production capacity with a division of labor system in which specialists in each process share the work. In recent years, products that combine traditional techniques with the latest designs have been created.

Gold Leaf

Ishikawa

Traditional crafts that continue to evolve in the nature of Kanazawa

Kanazawa is blessed with humidity, temperature, and water quality suitable for gold leaf production, and it accounts for more than 99% of Japan's gold leaf production. In modern times, it is used not only for crafts but also for foods and cosmetics, and its demand is increasing as a material for architecture and interiors.

Gokayama Japanese Paper

Toyama

Flexible Japanese paper recognized by brands around the world

Japanese paper made from home-reared mulberries grown from the abundant snow meltwater unique to heavy snowfall areas. They are strong, soft, and flexible fibers. It is durable, and it has also been used in daily necessities such as pouches. Some products are available in famous brands' stores around the world in recent years.

Sarubobo

Gifu

A cute lucky charm in the shape of a baby monkey

"Sarubobo", which is derived from the charm of aristocratic childbirth, means "baby monkey" in the Hida dialect. There are two meanings, "good luck" and "misfortune goes away", and they are handmade one by one as in the past, hoping for the happiness of people who receive.

Let's explore Central Japan with these special tickets

Travel from Osaka/Nagoya to visit Central Japan by purchasing this must-buy special ticket "Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass"!
You can enjoy unlimited rides on JR local and limited express trains, Hokuriku Shinkansen and buses along the route!