City: Chubu
Top Things to do in Chubu
Top Hotels in Chubu
Things to do in Chubu, Japan: The Best Sights & Landmarks
The Chūbu region (中部地方, Chūbu-chihō), Central region, or Central Japan (中部日本) is a region in the middle of Honshū, Japan's main island. Chūbu has a population of 21,715,822 as of 2010.. It encompasses nine prefectures (ken): Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi.
Restaurants in Chubu
1. Inuyama Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,034 reviews
Reviewed By 661vincet - Makati, Philippines
We visited Inuyama Castle last year. While it is currently undergoing renovations (for the next few months it seems), I decided to share our experiences for readers thinking about adding it to their future trips. And, yes, Inuyama Castle, one of the few original Japanese castles designated as a National Treasure, is definitely worth the visit! It is quite a lovely sight up on the hill. Entering the main keep of wood and stone was a memorable experience that provided insights on the castle's function in Japan's past. The climb around the keep's floors, and up to the very top provided a great view of the castle compound, Kiso River, the city and the mountains in the distance. With the assistance provided by the wonderful local volunteer guides (English was available during our visit, check for their availability at the ticket gate) we certainly got to appreciate this castle all the more.
2. Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,522 reviews
Authentic homes moved from a nearby valley and preserved intact make this attraction a very special "open air museum."
Reviewed By Shodby - Mackay, Australia
Coming from Australia snow is a real treat. When we went to the Folk Village on New Years Day it was thick with powdery snow. We could still walk around as the sky was clear and blue. The water wheel was iced over and the thatched roofs had a foot of white powder. I was glad it was open however some of the areas such as the 500 year old hilltop castle were closed due to safety reasons.
3. Matsumoto Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,584 reviews
Reviewed By phale12017
When l was told we were visiting a a castle, grey blocks of stone came to mind( l clearly wasn’t thinking logically) I was amazed to see this massive, towering wooden structure before me! Yes Japanese castles are made from wood. They have moats and tiny narrow windows for firing weapons out of and other familiar features but l have to say they are quite different from the English versions. They have a hidden extra floor that you cannot see from outside, this is just one unfamiliar feature! We were put into groups of 5 or less and shown round by retirees who were practicing their English, what a wonderful idea! Our guide was very amusing!! A word of warning, there are lots of steps inside, some of them steep! But make the effort, it’s well worth it!!
4. Hakuba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 300 reviews
Reviewed By PurdueBen500 - Sydney, Australia
Lots of great places to ski/board & very helpful staff many of which speak some English. Spectacular views across the mountains.
5. Ise Jingu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,777 reviews
Reviewed By soxfan1975 - Needham, United States
We visited this shrine while on a cruise ship excursion from Toba. It is not very far from the port, and definitely worth visiting. Our five-hour excursion from Toba included the Grand Shrine and Okage Yokocho shopping area at Ise, the Futami Okitama shrine, Meotoiwa, and Pearl Island at Toba. This is a very spiritually meaningful and interesting place.
6. Mount Fuji
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,643 reviews
Four routes, each divided into ten sections by stopping and refueling stations, lead up to Mt. Fuji's snow-covered tip. You don't have to be a die-hard mountaineer to climb Mt. Fuji; the slopes are full of children and adults of all ages, shapes, and sizes. The official climbing season only runs from the beginning of July to the end of August, but you can take the train from Toyko to the fifth station any season.
Reviewed By 148karene - Adelaide, Australia
Since travelling to Japan in my teenage years and seeing Mt Fuji from our bullet train I have had a fascination with it. On my next trip it was in the clouds! On my third trip I did a day tour to 5th station and several other spots which were meant to offer you extensive views but it was again in the clouds. This time I was determined to spend a few days in the area so that I gave myself every opportunity to see it in its full glory. As it was March the snow was too far down the mountain so fifth station was closed. Our Airbnb in Lake Kawaguchi had magnificent views. We sighted the mountain from the train and then travelled by bus to our destination. Clear skies and the most incredible views. It was quite chilly at Lake Kawaguchi but well worth the effort. We hopped on a bus that took us to several spots where you could pay for a day pass and jump on and off as often as you like. Got so many amazing photos, my friends who were with us were blessed as they didn’t realise how elusive it can be. Mt Fuji is very dear to me due to my heritage (my grandma is Japanese and my grandpa met her after the war) and I see it as the symbol of Japan and one to be treasured. I have not finished yet I aim to get back and do the climb! Also when travelling on the train ask for the side with views, I didn’t have to ask when booking all my train travel they just automatically put us on the best side every time to experience the best views.
7. Hamamatsu Air Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 515 reviews
Reviewed By Tokugawa_Ieyasu - Fujieda, Japan
This facility is widely open for many people in free of charge. Both of kids and adults should have great times there. I bet those who are interested in aircraft, defensing activities can enjoy a lot. The exhibitions are great to see. Weapons such as missiles are displayed together with reasonable explanations. You can get into the cockpits of exhibited airplanes which had flied in the air before. This may bring you the memorial photos. Souvenir store offers great variety of air force goods, towels, shirts and so forth.
8. Zenko-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,931 reviews
Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States
We have visited Zenko-ji on three different sakura trips and each time the blossoms did not disappoint. The weeping tree on the side of the main hall is spectacular when in full bloom - not to be missed. Bridal shoots occur throughout the temple compound in this season, but especially at this tree. The grounds are lovely throughout. Don’t miss the trees behind the main hall and the many stone lanterns there and elsewhere. There are several small gardens with more flowering trees. If you stand near the photogenic bell tower long enough, you will be there when the ringer arrives, bows to the bell and using the beam suspended on ropes strikes the bell which resonates for a very long time. Statues abound, especially the seven Jizo Bodhisattva at the Sanmon Gate. Many side buildings are more peaceful and less crowded than the main hall area and they too contain statues, bells and lanterns. If you walk behind the main hall and up a bit you arrive at the pagoda which contains the Zenkoji History Museum. It can take several hours to walk around, view, and photograph all that is here. Take your time to enjoy the whole temple compound. There is a city bus that runs to the temple from the station, or you can walk up the hill to the temple from the station - it takes about 30 minutes. The road immediately in front of the gate is full of shops selling souvenirs, religious items, and food. Good soft ice cream can be had here. The streets running parallel to this one are very interesting and worth a stroll. Even if the cherry trees are not a peak, and even if it is not sakura season at all, Zenko-ji is definitely worth a visit.
9. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,028 reviews
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine (pronounced “Alpen”) Route is known as the “Roof of Japan”. The route passes through the dynamic scenery of Mt. Tateyama in the Japan Alps. It is traversed using a variety of vehicles with an elevation change of 2400 meters from Toyama Prefecture to Nagano Prefecture.
Reviewed By sweetie_inc - Singapore, Singapore
I bought a local tour via Viator and went there with my 6yo daughter. The tour was travelling East direction, from Tateyama Station to Ogizawa Station. We noticed that there is lesser crowd if u start from Ogizawa to Tateyama when we were there in May 2018. The snow wall was by far the highlight though all the other points were very beautiful. Also the ropeway with 360 degree views of the snow clad mountains on all sides was a beauty. I would highly recommend this to everyone visiting Japan, and especially in April when the snow wall is at its highest point. We wish that we have more time at the Murodo as my daughter loves playing with snow and the walk along the snow wall was very amazing.
10. The Museum Meijimura
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 494 reviews
Beautifully located on a hillside facing Lake Iruka, it occupies an area of 1,000,000m2, where currently over sixty Meiji buildings have been brought and rebuilt. On display inside the buildings are furniture and other items of interst, objects of reference related to the respective buildings, and temporary exhibitions of historic materials as occasions call. The Meiji-mura offers the Japanese people a place of social education, where they can discover and have first-hand contact with the form and spirit of the Meiji period. We also believe that the Meiji-mura, as an evidence of East-West cultural exchange, can be helpful to enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of Japan and other countries of the world.
Reviewed By Lextrike - Manila, Philippines
The museum can be reach by taking a bus from Inuyama Station. The bus from the station to the museum takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. This is the last stop of the line. From there, you'll be needing to pay for the entrance fee in order to go inside the large open museum! You can try discount tickets/ promos Meitetsu is offering. The open area is composed of different establishment during the Meiji period comprising of schools, churches, offices, shops, and even real life stream trains. When you are inside, you can really feel the industrial era of Japan! Be sure to allocate a lot of time if you wanted to really appreciate all the structures inside.
