Discover amazing attractions within Chubu region of Japan via the Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Tourist Pass 🚆!
Did you know Central Japan (also known as the Chubu and Hokuriku region) is made up of nine prefectures? Namely Nagano, Niigata, Gifu, Toyama, Aichi, Shizuoka, Yamanashi, Fukui and Ishikawa.
Each region offers unique experiences we might not find in our usual favourites like Tokyo and Osaka. For instance, visiting famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Gifu and Toyama, or admiring Japan’s largest row of cherry blossom trees in Fukui.
Photo credit: Central Japan Area
Before you start, grab yourself a Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Tourist Pass. The pass includes unlimited rides on specific JR local and limited express trains, Hokuriku Shinkansen, and buses along the route.
More on the pass at the end, if you’re short on time, here are 13 unforgettable experiences to check off the next time you’re in Japan 🎌!
1) Visit Nagoya Castle’s Hommaru Palace
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Like the rest of Japan, central Japan has its fair share of majestic castles 🏯.
An iconic castle is Nagoya Castle which holds the historic Hommaru Palace. The palace was once destroyed in wartime air raids but has been restored to its original state since 2018.
Photo credit: Central Japan Area
There’s also a wide variety of plants like somei yoshino and weeping cherry trees in the area, accounting for approximately 1,000 cherry blossoms for sightseeing during spring.
Other than Nagoya Castle, also don’t miss Gifu Castle in Gifu City where you’ll get a fantastic view of the Nagara River, Mount Ena, and the Kiso Mountains!
Entrance fee: ¥500 (~S$6)
Opening hours: 9AM – 4:30PM
How to get there: From Nagoya Station, take the Meguru Loop Bus to Nagoya Castle
2) Observe Cormorant Fishing in Kawaramachi District
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Here’s a sight you don’t see every day — fishermen using trained birds to catch fish!
The birds are called Cormorants and are used traditionally by the fishermen on the banks of the Nagara River in Gifu City’s Kawaramachi District.
You won’t be able to experience this first-hand, but you can get a closer look on a scheduled boat ride during this fishing season!
Photo credit: Central Japan Area
For lunch, drop by restaurant Kawaramachi Izumiya, which specialises in a popular local catch called ayu or sweet fish.
After eating to your heart’s content, stroll down the streets of old-fashioned Japanese houses and look out for stores displaying traditional crafts like Gifu Uchiwa (flat fans) and Gifu Wagasa (Japanese umbrellas).
Gifu City Cormorant Fishing
Cost for viewing boat: ¥3,200 – ¥3,500 (~S$38 – S$41), depends on time and date
Period: 11 May – 15 Oct
Time: Varies according to season
How to get there: From Gifu Station, take Gifu bus N80 bound for Takatomi or Gifu bus N32/N86 bound for Gifu Park/Takatomi to Nagara-bashi stop and walk 5 mins
3) Tour the Unique Udatsu Wall Historical District
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Tour around the Udatsu Wall Historical District in Mino City and you’ll notice walls protruding from either sides of the buildings. Known as udatsu, these were built to prevent the spread of fires from nearby houses.
In fact, as the udatsu structure is so rare in Japan, the national government has named this district an official Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings 😲.
Besides these fire safety walls, there are also artworks of washi or traditional Japanese paper displayed throughout the city.
How to get there: From Gifu Station, take the JR Hida Line to Mino-Ota Station. After which, take the Nagaragawa Tetsudo Line to Umeyama Station and walk 7 mins
4) Enjoy Beautiful Scenery in Shirakawa-go
Hailed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Shirakawa-go has around 100 big and small gassho-zukuri houses.
While the area transforms into a scenic winter wonderland when it snows, another great time to visit is during spring — offering views of beautiful cherry blossoms in mid-April to early May.
Photo credit: Central Japan Area
Fun fact: The gassho-zukuri roofs are designed in a way whereby snow can fall off the sides, as this area is prone to heavy snowfall in the winter.
How to get there: From Takayama Station, take the express bus and alight at Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal
5) Explore Toyama City via the Toyama Port Tram
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The Toyama Port Tram is one of the best ways to get around Toyama City — passing by various tourist attractions such as Toyama Castle and Toyama Glass Art Museum.
Based on Toyama’s local attractions, the carriages are even painted in seven different colours!
The tram runs to the north from Toyama Station through the city, offering a scenic route to travellers as they travel in and even out of the city to Iwase port town.
Cost: ¥210 (~S$2.50)
How to get there: Alight at Toyama Station
6) Gaze at Mountains from Afar at Iwasehama Beach
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Apart from getting a great sun tan and feeling the sea breeze, visitors are treated to a clear view of Tateyama Mountain Range at Iwasehama Bathing Beach!
The Iwase District is also known for its historic streets, which reflects its past as a flourishing port town since the Edo period — where it once assisted Kitamae cargo ships that crossed the Sea of Japan.
Entrance fee: Free
Open period Early July – Late Aug
How to get there: From Toyama Station, take Toyama Port Tram to Iwasehama Station
7) Snap Instagrammable Pictures at Tonami Tulip Park
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Every spring, Tonami City organises a tulip fair displaying 3,000,000 tulips in full bloom 🌷.
As one of Japan’s leading tulip producers, this impressive number is an easy feat for the city in Toyama Prefecture.
Photo credit: Central Japan Area
With vibrant colours such as pink, red and yellow, the festival is also the perfect opportunity to take some epic photos for the gram!
Other nearby attractions include the Tulip Tower, an observation deck overlooking the large tulip fields, as well as the Tulip Marche, a nearby market.
*Note: Check the website in advance as the location and schedule vary for each attraction.
Entrance fee: ¥1,300 (~S$15) (During the Tulip Fair)
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM (Last entry at 5PM)
How to get there: From Shin-Takaoka Station, take the JR Johana Line to Tonami Station. Walk 15 mins or take a free shuttle bus to Tonami Tulip Park
8) Indulge in Fresh Seafood at Shinminato Kitokito Market
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Find a wide array of fresh seafood such as benizuwai or red snow crab, firefly squid and white shrimp in Shinminato Kitokito Market!
Shiro ebi or white shrimp in particular, is a must-try with its sweet yet rich flavour — living up to its name “Jewel of Toyama Bay”.
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It doesn’t take too long to explore the market and once you’re done, head to Kanazawa City for some gold-leaf ice cream 😋. With the Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Tourist Pass, it’s only a 20-minute ride away on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
How to get there: From Toyama Station, take the Toyama Buri Kani Bus to Shinminato Kitokito Market
9) Try Gold Leaf Ice Cream in Kanazawa City
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Have you ever had ice cream covered in real gold 🍦?
In Kanazawa City, feel like royalty as you taste Gold Leaf Kagayaki Soft Ice Cream at Hakuichi’s various outlets. The “gold leaf” is actually gold that has been made into thin sheets — and yes, it’s perfectly edible! We recommend trying it at its Higashiyama branch after exploring the historic Higashi Chaya District.
Kanazawa is described as Japan’s gold city, producing 99% of the country’s gold leaf. On top of golden desserts, the city is also famous for its gold-leafed jewellery and crafts!
How to get there: From Kanazawa Station East Exit, take the city bus to Hashibacho bus stop and walk 5 mins
10) Travel Back in Time at Kazue-machi Chaya District
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Kazue-machi Chaya District is one of three geisha districts in Kanazawa City and when night falls, you might even hear these skilled female entertainers playing Japanese musical instruments like the shamisen (a three-stringed musical instrument) and taiko drums.
As you stroll along streets lined up with traditional tea houses and restaurants, it’s one way to relive Edo-period Japan and escape from the bustling city.
How to get there: From Kanazawa Station East Exit, take the city bus to Hashibacho bus stop
11) Have a Picturesque Picnic in Rojo Park
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Boasting a wide variety of plants and flowers, serene ponds and lanterns adorning the walkway — visitors can enjoy Rojo Park’s scenery in every season.
But of course, one of the best times to visit is during Japan’s cherry blossom season, where you can have a picnic under gorgeous pink flowers in full bloom. There are also museums, art galleries and tea houses nearby to explore too!
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get there: 15min walk from Komatsu Station
12) Relax Your Body and Mind at Awara Onsen Town
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With a history of over 100 years, Awara Onsen is a famous hot spring town in the Chubu region. Located in Fukui Prefecture, the waters here are said to help elevate certain medical conditions such as rheumatism and dermatitis.
If you’re exhausted from touring the town, there’s also free ashinoyu foot baths nearby the train station to soothe your feet.
How to get there: From Fukui Station, take the Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara Line to Awara-Yunomachi Station
13) Admire Breathtaking Cherry Blossoms Along the Asuwa River
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One of Japan’s largest rows of cherry blossom trees can be found lined along the Asuwa River — around 600 trees in total stretching over 2.2km 🌸.
This location is one of Japan’s top 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots and the trees turn into a beautiful pink tunnel from late March to early April.
Running through the heart of Fukui City, they were initially planted as a symbol of hope for restoration after the Fukui earthquake.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 24 hours
How to get there: 15min walk from Fukui Station
Bonus: Create Your Own Lacquer Chopsticks at WAKASA
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One of the best souvenirs you can take home from here is this — creating your own wakasa-lacquer chopsticks!
Wakasa lacquerware is a traditional Japanese craft hailing from Obama City in the Fukui Prefecture and you can get them made at Hashi no Furusato Kan WAKASA.
Cost: ¥500 – ¥700 (~S$6 – S$8)
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM (Weekdays), 9AM – 4PM (Sun and holidays)
How to get there: From Obama Station, take the bus heading Tomari (泊漁) or Tagarasu, alight at Fukutani bus stop and walk 3 mins
Getting Around Central Japan with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
Photo credit: Central Japan Area
Don’t get us wrong, Tokyo and Osaka are great places to visit in Japan. But it doesn’t hurt to steer away from familiar tourist spots and dive straight into the heart of the Land of the Rising Sun.
While the Chubu region is accessible by car, plane, and bus, one of the most convenient and fuss-free ways to get around is via train. Especially so with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass 😉
Photo credit: Central Japan Area
The pass includes unlimited rides on JR local and limited express trains, Hokuriku Shinkansen and buses along the route.
So start your trip from Osaka or Nagoya and partake in a grand tour of the Kanazawa, Toyama and Gifu areas by hopping on and off the trains!
Cost:
– ¥15,280 (~S$180) — purchased online
– ¥15,280 (~S$180) — purchased at a train station
Validity period: Five consecutive days
Read also: 7-Day Japan Itinerary — Hidden Gems in the Kanto and Chubu Region
Share with us down below what other unforgettable experiences central Japan has to offer!
Featured image credit: Central Japan Area
This post was brought to you by Central Japan Area.