Chubu Region

Region · 🇯🇵 Japan

Population 21,715,822

Area 109,509 km²

Time zone Asia/Tokyo

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Featured Lists

Midori / CC BY 3.0

Chubu Region: The Unmissable Journey

The Chubu region encompasses the central part of Japan's Honshu island, featuring the Fuji Five Lakes and the iconic Mount Fuji. Key cultural sites include the Edo-period Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and the UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri farmhouses of Shirakawa-go. Visitors can explore the preserved merchant houses of Takayama's Sanmachi Suji and the historic Higashi Chaya geisha district. Modern landmarks include Nagoya's Toyota Commemorative Museum and the Mishima Skywalk, Japan's longest pedestrian suspension bridge, which offers views of Suruga Bay and the volcanic peaks.

15 places

663highland / CC BY 2.5

Editor's Choice: Japan's Must-See Destinations

Central Japan’s Chubu region offers a blend of historical preservation and natural spectacle. This selection includes the UNESCO-listed farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, the Edo-period merchant streets of Takayama, and Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen, one of Japan's premier landscape gardens. Cultural highlights range from Nagoya’s industrial and art museums to the Antarctic research ship Fuji. Natural attractions feature the volcanic peaks of Mount Norikura, the 400-meter Mishima Skywalk overlooking Mount Fuji, and remote high-altitude hot springs in the Northern Alps.

16 places

ajari / CC BY 2.0

Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore the diverse landscapes of central Japan, from the experimental architecture of Yoro Park to Kengo Kuma’s glass museum in Toyama. This collection highlights the region's natural diversity, including the Mount Fuji-fed springs of Kakita River and the 76-meter Shiramizu Falls. Discover cultural landmarks such as Takayama's riverside markets and Kanazawa's contemporary art spaces, alongside the visually striking "Monet's Pond" and the high-altitude Hida Great Limestone Cave.

13 places

Hiroshige / Public domain

Japan's Best Viewpoints and Peaks

This collection features prominent summits and scenic overlooks across Japan's Chubu region, including the Northern, Central, and Southern Alps. It encompasses high-altitude volcanic peaks like Mount Ontake and Mount Norikura, alongside UNESCO-recognized sites such as the pine-fringed Miho no Matsubara. The list includes specialized observation decks overlooking the historic gassho-zukuri villages of Shirakawa-go and high-altitude terraces like SORA terrace, which provides views of Nagano’s mountain ranges and frequent sea of clouds formations.

20 places

Moris B. Zarco / CC-BY-SA

Sacred Sites of Japan

This collection spans Japan's Chubu region, featuring historically significant sites from the 7th-century Zenkoji in Nagano to the ancient Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, which houses the sacred sword Kusanagi. The list highlights architectural diversity, including the 'Ninja Temple' (Myoryuji) with its hidden passages, the rock-cut meditation caves of Natadera, and Eihei-ji, a primary center for Soto Zen Buddhism. Many sites, such as Kunouzan Toshogu and Kawaguchi Asama, are integral to Japan’s national heritage and the spiritual history of Mount Fuji.

17 places

ThorstenS / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Castles and Ruins of Japan

This collection highlights the defensive architecture and feudal legacy of Japan’s Chubu region. It includes National Treasure Inuyama Castle, renowned for its original 16th-century keep, and the strategic mountain fortifications of Iwamura and Kasugayama. The list spans from the prehistoric Jomon-period Okyōzuka ruins to the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s power in Okazaki. Visitors can examine the intricate stonework of Kanazawa’s surviving gates and the excavated streets of the Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins, which provide a detailed look into a preserved medieval castle town.

17 places

Dspark76 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Museums and Galleries of Japan

The Chubu region features a diverse array of cultural institutions, from the futuristic 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, one of Asia’s leading paleontological centers. Historical preservation is a central theme at open-air sites like Meiji Mura and Hida Folk Village, which showcase relocated Edo and Meiji-era structures. Specialized collections highlight regional industries, including Nagoya’s SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, the Toyota Commemorative Museum, and dedicated galleries for Kanazawa’s traditional gold leaf and silk-dyeing crafts.

48 places

Alpsdake / CC BY-SA 4.0

Japan's Natural Water Wonders

This collection features significant aquatic landmarks across Japan's Chubu region, centered around the Fuji Five Lakes and the mountainous landscapes of Gifu and Shizuoka. It includes UNESCO-listed Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Shōji, which offer iconic views of Mount Fuji, alongside the brackish waters of Lake Hamana and the historical Taisho Pond in Kamikochi. The list also highlights dramatic cascades like the 76-meter Shiramizu Falls and the visually striking Monet's Pond, famous for its clear spring water and resemblance to French Impressionist art.

12 places

くろふね / CC BY 3.0

Bridges and Dams of Japan

This collection highlights significant engineering feats across Japan's Chubu region, ranging from the 400-meter Mishima Skywalk suspension bridge to massive hydroelectric projects. It features the 186-meter-tall Kurobe Dam and the concrete gravity structures of Okutadami and Yokoyama. The list also includes various bridge and viaduct segments of the Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail network, showcasing the infrastructure that traverses the rugged terrain and river systems between Tokyo and Osaka.

20 places