See what scenic places and relaxing activities await you in this list of things to do in the Chubu region, a.k.a. Central Japan. Read on to discover year-end travel deals (flights, hotels and activities)!
People from all over the world have been flying to Japan, especially with the Japanese yen hitting an all-time low. Many choose to visit Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, or even Hokkaido — places we love, but are also super crowded with tourists.
So, for those who want a more lowkey destination in Japan to explore, consider the Chubu region, or Central Japan. Known for its mountains and scenic rural landscapes, it has plenty of fun sightseeing spots and activities you may not be familiar with.
Here are 11 things to do in Chubu if you’re planning to visit this underrated destination for an extended stay or a day trip!
1) Admire Mount Fuji’s beauty from various viewpoints (Yamanashi)
Photo credit: MYSTAYS
A Japan trip just seems incomplete if you don’t see Mount Fuji with your very own eyes. The majestic natural beauty is located between the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures.
Perhaps the most popular viewing spots are the Fuji Five Lakes. But go around Yamanashi and you’ll discover other unique viewpoints like Honcho Street (pictured above), or even the Fuji-Q Highland theme park.
Kawaguchiko Country Cottage Ban Glamping Resort. Photo credit: Booking.com
Go a step further and book an accommodation with a view of Mount Fuji from your room, perhaps even making your trip more memorable by glamping, or staying in a ryokan.
*Pro-tip: DBS/POSB Cardmembers can enjoy discounts on your hotel bookings via travel platforms such as Agoda (7% off hotel bookings), Booking.com (up to 16% cashback), and Trip.com (up to S$100 off)! Tap the Deals icon in your DBS PayLah! app to see them all.
2) Stroll along a scenic skywalk (Shizuoka)
If we’re talking best viewing spots for Mt Fuji, you can’t ignore Mishima Skywalk. The 400m-long suspension bridge stretches across a scenic valley with a view of the iconic mountain on one side and the serene Suruga Bay on the other.
Photo credit: Mishima Skywalk
The real fun begins after you’ve crossed the bridge. Enjoy activities like tree-top adventure courses, augmented-reality shooting games, and guided forest tours on Segways or buggies. You can even zipline your way back to the other side!
After a day of fun, spend some time relaxing and eating in the SKY GARDEN, an area lined with many flowers and restaurants.
Entrance fee: From ~S$9/pax via Klook
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
How to get there: From Mishima Station, exit South and take Bus N26 on Platform 5 (Google Maps)
3) Indulge in fresh seafood and world-class sake (Niigata)
Sashimi and sushi fans, rejoice! 🍣
Located along the coast of the Sea of Japan, Niigata is home to fresh high-quality seafood. Seasonal specialties like the popular grilled nodoguro (rockfish) and red snow crabs are some of the best things to eat in Niigata.
Then pair them with the prefecture’s highly sought-after sake — the cold climate in the prefecture and premium rice varieties make their version cleaner and crisper than most.
There are many seafood restaurants (Kaisenya Negibouzu) and sake breweries (Imaya Tsukasa) in Niigata, but most tourists visit the largest fresh food market in the area to indulge in both: Pier Bandai.
4) Try Sado Island’s unique activities (Niigata)
Take a boat from Niigata to the quieter but equally breathtaking Sado Island to experience outdoor adventures and traditional practices.
Make sure to hop on their popular tarai-bune (tub boat) ride. Locals use these traditional unique oval boats to catch fish, seaweed, and shells, among many others. But on your tour, you can simply admire the view along the coastline — rock outcrops, coves, and turquoise waters.
Night rides are also available where the starlit sky and bamboo lanterns illuminate the boat’s pathway.
Then, immerse yourself in the region’s rich mining history and go on a gold-panning experience at Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park, where a guide will help you separate valuable particles from sand and gravel. This has been a common practice here since they first discovered significant deposits of gold and silver back in the 17th century!
Speaking of gold, here’s a money-saving tip: Use your DBS Altitude Card and earn up to 2.2 miles per S$1 on your retail spend. Miles are for Life as DBS Points do not expire, and they can be redeemed anytime!
Or if you hold a DBS Visa Debit Card, link it to your multi-currency account and convert JPY to keep in your digital wallet whenever the exchange rate is favourable — there are zero FX fees! Then pay with the card during your trip to earn 2% cashback on overseas spends.
Read also: 9 Travel Hacks to Save Money on Your Next Trip to Japan
5) See snow monkeys bathe in hot springs (Nagano)
Visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is one of the most popular things to do in Chubu, because who wouldn’t want to see these cute Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathing in a natural onsen?!
While the park is open all year round, we recommend going here between December and February since the monkeys use the onsens way more frequently during wintertime. On top of that, the walk to the park involves a scenic trail through a forest which becomes even more beautiful with snow. In other seasons, the forest transforms into beautiful shades of green and orange!
Entrance fee: ¥800/pax (~S$7)
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 5PM (summer), 9AM – 4PM (winter)
How to get there: From Nagano Station, take the East Exit and ride the Okushiga Kogen Hotel/Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus (Google Maps)
6) Appreciate artworks by globally-renowned artist Yayoi Kusama (Nagano)
If you haven’t heard of contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, a visit to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art may instantly turn you into a fan.
Fun fact: Matsumoto is where she was born! This museum displays her extensive collection of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. Expect to see her signature motif all over — vibrant colours, pumpkins, polka dots, and “infinity nets”.
Besides her works, many regional artists also have works on display to give you a taste of their own culture. For instance, collections from the Mingei (folk art) movement and exhibitions centred around local legends and historical artefacts.
Entrance fee: ¥500/pax (~S$4)
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM, closed on Mon
How to get there: 17min walk from Matsumoto Station (Google Maps)
7) Immerse yourself in the Studio Ghibli Universe (Aichi)
Photo credit: Ghibli Park
One of Japan’s most beloved exports is Studio Ghibli, known for animated classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Now, you can set foot in Ghibli Park to see popular movies come to life! ✨
Much like Universal Studios Japan or Tokyo Disney Resort but without the rides, Ghibli Park feels like its own little world with many fantasy-inspired buildings and themed eateries.
Photo credit: Ghibli Park
There are five areas to explore including the Mononoke Village from Princess Mononoke and the European-themed Valley of Witches where you’ll see Howl’s Castle. But the highlight of the park is the Grand Warehouse, a two-storey museum featuring exhibitions, screening rooms, and more.
*Pro-tip: If you’re staying in Nagoya, book a round-trip day tour so you don’t have to worry about how to get there and back!
*Note: The regular Day Pass grants you access to the five areas, but not to all buildings in the park. You’ll need to book a Ghibli Day Premium Pass to enter the World Emporium (Hill of Youth), Satsuki and Mei’s House (Dondoko Forest), The Okino Residence, Howl’s Castle, and The House of Witches (Valley of Witches). Reservations open two months in advance!
Entrance fee: ¥3,500/pax (Mon – Fri), ¥4,000/pax (Sat – Sun)
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
How to get there: From Fujigaoka Station, take the Linimo to Ai-Chikyuhaku-Kinen-Koen Station. Walk 5mins (Google Maps)
8) Stay in an enchanting Japanese village (Gifu)
Straight out of a postcard is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go, a charming traditional village in Gifu with traditional gassho-zukuri (thatched roof) style farmhouses.
It’s located in a quiet river valley and surrounded by mountains, making for a picturesque rural getaway. While the entire village is already beautiful, it transforms into a stunning winter wonderland when snow covers the houses and roads.
Shiroyamakan. Photo credit: Booking.com
Sleep in one of their traditional gassho-houses or make your getaway more relaxing by staying in an onsen resort, such as Onyado Yuinosho and Shiroyamakan — both known for their extremely warm hosts and beautiful kaiseki dinners.
Plus, use your DBS/POSB Card to enjoy exclusive offers from various booking platforms like Agoda, Booking.com, Rakuten Travel, Traveloka, and Trip.com! Learn more by tapping the Deals icon in your DBS PayLah! app.
Read also: 8-Day Japan Winter Itinerary For Less Than S$1.2k — Fox Village, Snow Monkey Park, Gassho Houses
9) Go on a scenic route through the Japanese Alps (Nagano/Toyama)
Photo credit: Visit Toyama
Among the most unforgettable things to do in Chubu is traversing the 37km Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which connects the Nagano and Toyama prefectures. It’s full of scenic sights and landmarks that you can explore via cable cars, ropeways, trains, and buses.
Photo credit: Japan Alps Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route via Facebook
Depending on which season you visit, expect different but equally stunning views. For example, this route is most popular for its high snow walls which can be seen in spring (April to mid-June), but also has many alpine flowers in the summer (mid-June to September).
*Pro-tip: Book a guided day tour via Klook from Nagano for a convenient and smooth journey — the tour operator will handle everything for you. Plus, check out with your DBS/POSB Card and get up to S$30 off activities and 15% off Shinkansen tickets! T&Cs apply.
Guided day tour from Nagano
Cost: From ~S$321/pax via Klook
Pick-up point: Choose between Hotel Kukasai 21 or Nagano Station
10) Visit one of Japan’s best gardens (Ishikawa)
Kotojitoro Lantern. Photo credit: Japan National Tourism Organization
Japan is home to many beautiful public parks and landscape gardens, and Central Japan is no different. Just walk through the serene Kenrokuen Garden and you’ll find out why.
It’s expansive with plenty of secluded spots for quiet reflection. You’ll find ancient trees, ponds, colourful floral displays, and even a mini-waterfall here.
Best of all, the garden changes through the seasons: expect snow-covered trees in winter ❄, lush greeneries in summer 🌳, brown shades in fall 🍂, and of course, pink-and-white cherry blossoms in spring 🌸
Don’t forget to take a photo of the garden’s iconic feature: the Kotojitoro Lantern, which beautifully complements the serene Kasumigaike Pond.
Entrance fee: ¥320/pax (~S$3)
Opening hours: 7AM – 6PM (1 Mar – 15 Oct), 8AM – 5PM (16 Oct – 29 Feb)
How to get there: From Kanazawa Station, take the East Exit and ride the Kanazawa Loop Bus. Alight at Kenroku-en (Google Maps)
11) Learn about dinosaurs in an interactive way (Fukui)
Photo credit: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Learn more about dinosaurs in an engaging way at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum! It has interactive exhibits, realistic dioramas, and giant skeletal models of unique species found in the region.
Field Station. Photo credit: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
But perhaps the most interesting reason to visit is the Field Station, located at the nearby Dinosaur Quarry where palaeontologists have discovered many fossils. Here, you’ll learn how they are excavated through a hands-on experience — you can touch and feel real fossils there!
There’s also a children’s area with educational games and activities, making it one of the best family-friendly things to do in Chubu.
Entrance fee: ¥1,000/pax (~S$9)
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 6PM
How to get there: From Katsuyama Station, ride the Dinosaur Museum Bus (Google Maps)
Read also: 17 Things to Do in Hokuriku, Japan— First Timer’s Guide to Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama
Getting to and around the Chubu Region
You can take a ~7-hour flight from Singapore to the Chubu Region, landing at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya.
But for those who want to explore other prefectures in Central Japan: fly to Tokyo or Osaka first, then continue your journey by Shinkansen train or domestic flight.
Airlines that fly to Central Japan from Singapore include Japan Airlines, China Airlines, and EVA Air — who are all currently offering flight discounts for DBS/POSB cardholders! They can also enjoy Trip.com’s flight promo (up to S$100 off), and Expedia’s flight + hotel packages to save on airfare.
Plus, if you’re a DBS Altitude Visa Signature Cardmember, you are entitled to a complimentary Priority Pass™ Digital Membership. This gives you access to two free lounge visits at over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide per membership year 💁♀️
Just like in major Japanese cities, taxis in Chubu can get expensive so the most cost-efficient and practical way to travel is still via train.
If you’re travelling across multiple cities, grab a regional JR Pass for unlimited train rides within a certain period to help save more money in the long run. Else, book single Shinkansen train tickets (DBS/POSB Cardmembers get 15% off via Klook) to get around in Chubu.
Save on your trip to Central Japan with DBS/POSB Cards
While Tokyo and Osaka are undeniably beautiful, a trip to Central Japan will let you in on many of the country’s underrated gems.
It’s an excellent destination to explore over multiple days with all its must-try experiences, but going there on a day trip from Tokyo or Osaka is also a good idea if you simply want to unwind from all the crowds and bustle in those places.
Once you’ve decided how many nights you’ll be travelling around Chubu, DBS/POSB Cardmembers can check out these travel deals* below to save more on your flight, accommodations, and activity bookings!
Flights ✈
| Partner | Deal |
| Japan Airlines | Up to 8% off flight bookings |
| China Airlines | 6% off flight bookings |
| EVA Air | Up to 5% off flight bookings |
| Trip.com | Up to S$100 off hotel and flight bookings |
| Expedia | Up to 12% off hotels, flight/hotel packages & more |
Accommodations 🛌
| Partner | Deal |
| Agoda | 12% off hotel bookings |
| Booking.com | Up to 16% cashback in form of Booking.com credits |
| Expedia | Up to 12% off hotels, flight/hotel packages & more |
| Hotels.com | 8% off hotel bookings |
| Trip.com | Up to S$100 off hotel and flight bookings |
| Rakuten Travel | 10% off Japan accommodations |
Activities 🪂
| Partner | Deal |
| Klook | Up to S$30 off activities & 15% off Shinkansen tickets |
| KKday | Up to S$50 off bookings |
| Traveloka | Up to 6% off bookings sitewide |
*Note: Terms and conditions apply. Learn more and discover the latest offers by checking out the Deals icon on the DBS PayLah! app:
PSA: For new PayLah! users, enter the promo code <JOINLAH> to receive a S$5 sign-up bonus! Valid from now till 31 December 2024.
And finally, to save even more $$$ on your travels:
– Use your DBS Altitude Card to earn up to 2.2 miles per S$1 retail spend. Miles are for Life as DBS Points don’t expire! Don’t have the card yet? Sign up today and enjoy up to 35,000 miles for your next escape!
– Or pay with a DBS Visa Debit Card linked to a multi-currency account to enjoy 2% cashback on overseas spend, and enjoy zero foreign exchange fees when you convert 11 foreign currencies (including JPY, AUD, USD, EUR) when rates are favourable.
Terms and conditions apply!
Which of these things to do in Chubu are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by DBS Singapore.
