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.

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.

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.

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.

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!