Travel guides and hidden gems in the Chubu region of Japan
Central Japan · Alpine Spine
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.
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.
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
All Chubu articles
2026 Update: As of October 2024, the morning prayer time has been standardized to 5:30 AM year-round. Previously, the schedule changed with the seasons, and many third-party websites still show outdated information. If you are planning a visit, set your…
Morning prayer is held daily at 5:30 AM year-round (a fixed schedule since 2026). The five-story pagoda, reconstructed in 2009, remains one of the most photographed structures on the grounds. If you are looking for a genuine spiritual experience in…
Lake Motosu (本栖湖) is the westernmost, deepest, and most pristine of the Fuji Five Lakes — and the lake on the back of the Japanese 1,000 yen bill. The exact viewpoint is the Nakanokura Pass Observation Deck (中ノ倉峠展望台), reached by…
At Fuji Motosuko Resort (Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi), the Fuji Shibazakura Festival—one of the largest in the Kanto region—will start on Saturday, April 11, 2026, featuring around 500,000 moss phlox plants in full color. A breathtaking carpet of pink moss phlox…
Imagine standing in the crisp mountain air, the vast expanse of Lake Kawaguchiko shimmering before you, and the iconic, snow-capped peak of Mt. Fuji commanding the horizon. For many travelers planning a trip to the Fuji Five Lakes region, finding…
When you see the iconic image of a five-storied pagoda with Mount Fuji soaring in the background, you’re looking at Arakurayama Sengen Park. But many visitors take their photo and leave, missing the profound history and spiritual heart of the…
Chureito Pagoda (忠霊塔) sits on Arakurayama in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi — a five-storied 1963 peace memorial reached by climbing the 398 Sakuya-hime stairs. The view: Mt. Fuji framed by the pagoda’s tiered eaves, and during peak cherry blossom in mid-April, an…
Mt. Fuji’s sakura window is April 8 – April 16 in 2026 for the main viewing spots (Chureito Pagoda, Lake Kawaguchiko) — roughly 7-10 days behind central Tokyo because of the higher elevation. Higher lakes (Yamanakako, Motosuko) extend the season…
Nestled at the base of Mt. Fuji, the city of Fujiyoshida is known for its deep connection to the textile industry. But beyond the hum of weaving machines lies a district that tells a different story—a story of post-war revelry,…
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Lake Yamanakako offers some of the most breathtaking views in Japan, from the iconic “Diamond Fuji” to serene swans gliding on its waters at sunrise. Planning your trip to this stunning destination in…
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