Central Japan · Alpine Spine

Chubu — where Mt. Fuji, the Kiso Valley, and the Japan Alps converge.

Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka — the prefectures with the highest concentration of HJG fieldwork.

Chubu is the geographical and emotional center of HJG. It contains Mt. Fuji, the Japan Alps, the Kiso Valley post towns, Kamikochi, and the Yamanashi lakes. Many of the most-read articles on this site live in Chubu prefectures.

When to visit

April for cherry blossom along Mt. Fuji. July to early September for the climbing season (Mt. Fuji, Northern Alps). October for autumn at Kamikochi and Naraijuku. December for Mt. Fuji visibility at its annual peak.

How to get there

JR Tokaido Shinkansen passes through Shizuoka/Nagoya; Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Nagano, Kanazawa and on to Tsuruga. Mt. Fuji area: Kawaguchiko via Otsuki, then Fujikyuko Line. Kiso Valley: JR Chuo Main Line — Narai has its own station; Magome and Tsumago need a short bus link.

Plan a trip to Chubu

StayHotels in the Fuji areaKawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Fujiyoshida free-cancellation filter.RyokanTraditional ryokanStrongest inventory for Yamanashi, Nagano, and Gifu rural inns.RailJR Pass for the whole region7-day pass covers Tokaido + access to all Chubu prefectures.DriveRental car for the AlpsKamikochi requires bus from Sawando, but Northern Alps base towns need a car.

All Chubu articles

Nabana no Sato Illumination 2026–27: Dates, Tickets and Getting There

Lit autumn trees and bands of pink lights over the pond at Nabana no Sato at night, reflected in the water

The Nabana no Sato illumination runs 17 October 2026 – 31 May 2027 (closed 6–7 January). Regular-date tickets are ¥2,500 or ¥3,000 with a ¥1,000 voucher; 23–25 December uses a separate ticket. The direct bus from Nagoya's Meitetsu Bus Center takes about 35 minutes for ¥1,200, and the last one back leaves at 21:05. Light-up times, crowds, the Kintetsu route and Kuwana's winter weather.

Kurobe Gorge Railway in Autumn 2026: How Far It Runs, Fares and Getting There

A Kurobe Gorge Railway train with orange locomotives crossing a red steel arch bridge above a blue-green river, with mountainsides in yellow and orange autumn colour

The Kurobe Gorge Railway has been running its full line, Unazuki to Keyakidaira, since 1 October 2026 and stops for the season on 30 November. At Keyakidaira you can only visit the station area and visitor centre. This guide covers the October–November timetable, fares (¥2,480 one way to Keyakidaira; ¥3,080 on most trains from 24 to 30 November), how to book, the rail-pass discount, when the leaves usually turn, and how to reach Kurobe-Unazukionsen on a Shinkansen that stops there, then the Toyama Chiho Railway.

Kenrokuen in Autumn 2026: Leaf Forecasts, Yukitsuri Ropes, the November Light-Up and Getting to Kanazawa

A still pond at Kenrokuen under a blue sky, with red maples on the left bank, red leaves hanging across the top of the frame, and several tall cones of yukitsuri ropes rising above a pine on the far shore, all reflected in the water

Kenrokuen's colour usually runs from early to late November. The 2026 Weathernews forecast, what is known about the yukitsuri rope work (no 2026 notice in the prefecture’s October list on 11 October), the seven free light-up evenings in November 2026, hours, free early entry, and trains from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

Fuji Five Lakes in 2 Days: A Local’s Itinerary Built Around the Morning View (2026–27)

Snow-capped Mt Fuji across Lake Yamanakako under clear blue winter sky

A November-to-February plan without a car, built around the morning, when Mt Fuji is most often visible: the ropeway (closed 7–18 December 2026, planned) and the Oishi Park boat on day one, the 05:18 train to the Chureito Pagoda for sunrise on day two, then Oshino Hakkai and Lake Yamanaka, with the timetables and fares as published on 11 October 2026.

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