Visit the magnificent mountains of the Japan Alps and enjoy the fresh seafood along the west coast of Japan. Niigata prefecture is a famous skiing area known for its powder snow. Can’t miss Kanazawa city too, which is a unique city where you can see the fusion of both historical sites and modern museums.
Highlights
Kanazawa
Known as a city of culture and art, Kanazawa city in Ishikawa prefecture is a must-see destination in Hokuriku Shinetsu region. Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's most famous gardens, offers a variety of seasonal scenery. Don't miss the Higashi Chaya Street, where teahouses are preserved to entertain guests with songs and dances. You can also try a gold leaf experience of pasting gold leaf on a tableware. If you are more into eating, try a soft serve ice cream with gold leaf as the topping!
Gokayama
Two of the villages, Ainokura and Suganuma, have been registered as World Heritage sites in Gokayama of Toyama prefecture, where you can see traces of the world. In some of the gassho-zukuri inns of Ainokura, visitors can stay overnight, which is an one and only experience. At Suganuma, the lighting-up event in spring is a must-see as well. Be sure to visit Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, which is also registered as a World Heritage site along with Ainokura and Suganuma.
Tateyama and Kurobe
Take the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or the Kurobe Gorge Trolley Train and experience the magnificent Northern Alps. The Tateyama mountain range rises nearly 3,000 meters above sea level. In winter, you can enjoy a wall of snow, and in autumn, the leaves change color. You can enjoy the breathtaking starry sky from Murodo, the highest point of the mountain.
More Destinations
- Matsumoto
- Matsumoto is the second-largest city in Nagano prefecture and the gateway to the Japanese Alps. Be sure to visit Matsumoto Castle, which is considered the most beautiful of the original castles. Matsumoto is also a good base for the Kamikochi and Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Routes and can be reached by bus from Takayama in Gifu prefecture in two and a half hours.
- Echigo Yuzawa
- Combining 16 ski resorts, Echigo Yuzawa in Niigata prefecture is also a hot spring ski resort with a long history. The powder snow falls over a long period and attracts more than 6 million skiers and snowboarders yearly. It is also famous for its rice and sake production, so be sure to enjoy the Japanese sake as well.
- Noto Peninsula
- In the Noto Peninsula, which occupies the northern half of Ishikawa prefecture, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the coastline and rice fields like no other. Why not spend some time relaxing on the Senrihama Nagisa Driveway, the only sandy beach driveway in Japan? In Wajima, you can experience farming, and in Wakura Onsen, you can learn about hot spring culture in Japan.
- Fukui
- Fukui prefecture is accessible from Kanazawa in less than an hour, and the Japan Rail Pass can be used. The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the world's three largest dinosaur museums, and is a great place to enjoy the powerful exhibits of dinosaurs. Also, be sure to try Echizen's famous snow crab and soba noodles too!