Japanese Alps Region

A village in Shirakawa, Gifu Prefecture, renowned for its gassho-zukuri (hand-joined) thatched-roof architecture. These structures, adapted for heavy snowfall regions, feature centuries-old thatch and steeply angled roofs. The settlement landscape, formed from the Edo through early Meiji periods, remains intact and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Winter night illuminations create magical scenery amid snow, attracting over two million international and domestic visitors annually. The village maintains active thatch-roof preservation crafts and community conservation activities.

A mountain range spanning Nagano, Gifu, and Toyama prefectures in central Japan. Comprising the Southern, Central, and Northern Alps with numerous peaks exceeding 3,000 meters, it is celebrated as a mountaineering mecca. Featuring dramatic alpine scenery and rich alpine flora, it attracts over 2 million annual visitors as a premier trekking and mountaineering destination.

A cultural city in Hokuriku that flourished as the castle town of the Kaga domain, where tradition and modernity coexist at Kenroku-en Garden, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and Higashi Chaya District. The 2015 Hokuriku Shinkansen dramatically improved access from Tokyo, triggering a tourism surge.

One of Japan's premier mountain scenic spots at approximately 1,500m elevation in the Northern Alps. Views from Taisho Pond and Kappa Bridge reflecting the Hotaka Range are sometimes called 'Japan's Switzerland.' Private car restrictions preserve the natural environment, making it a popular base for mountaineering and trekking.

A UNESCO World Natural Heritage archipelago roughly 1,000km south of Tokyo. Called the 'Galapagos of the East,' the islands are a treasure trove of endemic species. Accessible only by a 24-hour ferry, this remote paradise is popular for whale watching and diving.

The largest island in the Sea of Japan, off the coast of Niigata. Sado Kinzan gold mine was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, and unique traditions like tub boats and Noh theater persist. Also known for the reintroduction of the crested ibis (toki), it blends nature and history.

A magnificent volcanic region in Kumamoto centered on Mount Aso, which has one of the world's largest calderas. The vast grasslands of Kusasenrigahama and the plume of Nakadake crater offer dynamic landscapes where one can feel the earth's breath. Rich tourism resources include hot springs and Aso red beef.