NAGANO JAPAN

Chugoku & Shikoku

Chugoku & Shikoku

Lying to the west of Osaka, Chugoku is a region known for its diverse blend of cities, histories and landscapes. From the global significance of Hiroshima, to Himeji and its celebrated castle, or the historic yet modern port city of Kobe, Chugoku is easily explored using the San’yo Shinkansen while also tempting you go a little slow and discover archipelagos of the Seto Inland Sea, including the art islands of Setouchi, and onto Shikoku and its 88 temple ‘Shikoku Henro’ pilgrimage. The least visited of Japan’s main islands, Shikoku is a destination unto itself, a place not easily defined and one that those who do visit tend to fall in love with.

DISCOVER HIROSHIMA: 15 THINGS TO DO & WHERE TO STAY

Hiroshima occupies a hugely important place in the global consciousness, a city that should be visited at least once.

SAN'YO SHINKANSEN

Running from Osaka to Fukuoka, the 'San'yo Shinkansen' offers the fastest and most convenient when to explore the region.

VISIT KOBE

Kobe is a historic yet modern port city offering lots to do starting with one of Japan's oldest and best Chinatown districts.

HIMEJI CASTLE

Home to Japan's most impressive castle, Himeji attracts visitors from all over the world for that one reason.

GETTING TO & AROUND SHIKOKU

Separated from Japan's main island of Honshu by the Seto Inland Sea, Shikoku remains easy to get to thanks major bridge networks, ferries and airports…

30 THINGS TO DO AROUND SHIKOKU & WHERE TO STAY

Often overlooked by international vistiors, Shikoku is one of Japan's most diverse and rewarding travel destinations.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

15 Things to Do Around Hiroshima & Where to Stay

Hiroshima occupies a hugely important place in modern history while ...

30 Things to Do Around Shikoku & Where to Stay

From hopping between the art islands of Setouchi to getting lost in ...

7 Things to Do Around Himeji & Where to Stay

Most famous for its beautiful castle, Himeji is a small city that al...

Best Places to Stay in Shikoku

Separated from Japan’s main island of Honshu by the Seto Inland Sea,...

TOURS

1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake

When people think of visiting Japan, they often think of Tokyo, Kyot...

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How to Get to Hiroshima

A stop on the San’yo Shinkansen line, Hiroshima Station is easy and ...

Getting To & Around Shikoku

For most international visitors, especially those holding a Japan Ra...

How to Get to Himeji

Running from Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the Sa...

San’yo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka–Shin-Kobe–Okayama–Hiroshima–Hakata)

The San’yo Shinkansen runs from Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata Station...

San’yo Shinkansen Timetable

The San’yo Shinkansen line runs from Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata St...

Himeji Station

As a stop on the San’yo Shinkansen line, Himeji Station is quick and...

Okayama Station

Okayama is the second largest city in the Chugoku region of Japan an...

Hiroshima Station

Hiroshima Station serves as the major transport hub of the largest c...

Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)

Most international visitors coming to and from Nagano will make at l...

HOTELS

Hiroshima Station Area

For international visitors, Hiroshima Station is the main point of e...

Hiroshima: Central / Hatchobori Station Area

The area around Hatchobori Station is considered central Hiroshima a...

Hiroshima: Peace Park / Tokaichi-machi Station Area

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park occupies the northern tip of an island...

Hiroshima: Miyajima Area

Lying to the south of the central city in Hiroshima Bay, Miyajima is...

Shikoku: Takamatsu City Area

Takamatsu is the largest city in Kagawa Prefecture and the nearest p...

Shikoku: Naoshima Area

Naoshima is a lovely island within the Seto Inland Sea, known for it...

Shikoku: Teshima Area

The small island of Teshima lies between the even smaller (but more ...

Shikoku: Shodoshima Area

Shodoshima is the he largest island participating in Setouchi Trienn...

Shikoku: Tokushima City Area

Tokushima is the largest city in Tokushima Prefecture and another po...

Shikoku: Iya Valley Area

Iya Valley is a secluded inland area of Tokushima Prefecture on the ...

Shikoku: Kochi City Area

Kochi Prefecture covers much of the southern area of Shikoku, includ...

Shikoku: Kochi Surf Coast Area

The Pacific coast of Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku is kn...

SNOW MONKEY RESORTS
AREA MAP

Established in 1964, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to naturally bathe in hot springs. Open all-year-round, the park is one of Nagano's most popular destinations
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- HOTARUTEI
- ENZA CAFE
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- Kanbayashi Onsen 'Sendayaki' (Fire Festival)
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- ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY & ENJOY THE BEST OF JAPAN THIS AUTUMN! BEST DAY TOURS FROM TOKYO DURING THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019!
Only 45 minutes from Nagano City and within easy reach of the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Shiga Kogen, Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen are blessed by numerous natural hot spring sources which feed their many guesthouses and public bathhouses
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- 20 Things to Do Around Yudanaka / Shibu Onsen & Where to Stay
- How to Get to Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen
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- Shibu Onsen Summer Festival
- Yamanouchi's Firework Festival
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- ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY & ENJOY THE BEST OF JAPAN THIS AUTUMN! BEST DAY TOURS FROM TOKYO DURING THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019!
Shiga Kogen is the largest and highest ski resort in Japan, boasting Nagano's longest season and most reliable snow; and located within the expansive Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Shiga offers just as much to do from spring to autumn as it does in winter
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- #TRAVELTOMORROW: Introducing Hotel Sunny Shiga – Perfectly Positioned when Exploring Japan’s Largest Ski Resort
Home to the Obuse Hokusai Museum and Gansho-in Temple along with lots of good restaurants, craft shops and a couple of ‘sake’ breweries, the small but historic town of Obuse is an easy day-trip from Nagano City
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- 15 Things to Do Around Obuse & Where to Stay
- How To Get To Obuse
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- Obuse Area
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Home to one of Japan's oldest and most important temples, Nagano City is your launching point from where to explore the region using train and bus services, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, from Nagano Station
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One of Nagano's most popular ski resorts, Nozawa Onsen is boasts great powder, terrain and a lively village - which guarantees as much off the mountain as on it – while retaining much of its character as a traditional hot spring town
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- Enjoy the Fruit of Nagano
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- Nozawa Onsen 'Dosojin' (Fire Festival)
Home to the most popular and international ski resorts in Nagano, Hakuba Valley attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world while offering the best accommodation and dining of any ski area in the region
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The fabled 'Snow Walls' of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route are at their best from April to May before the melting snow opens-up some of Japan’s best alpine hiking from July to November. Accessible from both Nagano and Toyama, this is one of Japan’s best travel experiences
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- The Northern Alps Art Festival
- Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival
Matsumoto Castle is a registered National Treasure and without question, the cultural heart of this engaging city; a beacon that calls you to explore the city and onto the beauty of the North Alps including Norikura and the alpine valley of Kamikochi
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- ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY & ENJOY THE BEST OF JAPAN THIS AUTUMN! BEST DAY TOURS FROM TOKYO DURING THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019!
Karuizawa is one of Japan's most popular resort towns, offering a little taste of Tokyo in the mountains including some of Nagano’s best accommodation, fine dining and shopping, and all within easy reach of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park
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- Ueda Sanada Festival
Located in the picturesque surrounds of Kiso Valley, the Nakasendo Trail follows the Edo Period (1603-1868) route once linking Kyoto and Tokyo. To this day, travelers can walk sections of the route including through the beautiful postal towns of Narai, Magome and Tsumago - a rare glimpse of traditional Japan in the 21st century
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- Kiso-Fukushima & Narai Area
- Magome, Tsumago & Nakatsugawa Area
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- Narai-juku Ice Candle Festival
- Kaida Kogen Kamakura Snow Festival
Known as the 'Sannomachi', Takayama's old town is famous for its preservation of Edo period streetscapes while also attracting foodies for its renowned ‘Hida beef’ and ‘Takayama ramen’ - all within easy reach of the World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
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- Takayama Festival
Only 20 minutes from Iiyama Station, Madarao Mountain Resort is known for its deep powder bowls, tree zones and fantastic backcountry along with mountain-biking and water activities from spring to autumn
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- [START FROM NOZAWA/MADARAO] Private Snow Monkey Tour
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- Iiyama Nanohana Flower Festival
- Mizubasho Festival At MT.Ryuoo
Myoko Kogen consists of five main ski resorts jointly known for one thing – amazing powder, lots of it. Boasting some of Asia’s deepest powder and fantastic backcountry, the resorts of Myoko are waiting to be discovered
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Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most historic and rewarding destinations. A city of wealth and artistic achievement during the Edo Period, Kanazawa retains many historic attractions and districts along with some of Japan’s best gardens, museums, galleries, dining and shopping
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- Best Fall Spots & Tours Near Kanazawa
- Best Summer Spots & Tours Near Kanazawa
As the largest city in Central Japan, Nagoya is known for its modern industries, lively entertainment, great restaurants and plenty of shopping while putting visitors in reach of some fantastic regional destinations
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- Autumn Leaves of Korankei
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- 6 Must-Try Dishes in Nagoya
Lying around 2.5 hours to the west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is a grand and awe-inspiring sight and without question, Japan’s most recognizable destination. Quite simply, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting this wonderful country
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Accessible via Echigo-Yuzawa Station, the area around Yuzawa includes the resorts of Gala Yuzawa, Naeba and Kagura; while in summer, Yuzawa plays host to Japan's largest music festival and provides acccess to the country's largest arts festival
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- Fuji Rock Festival
Tokyo is the economic, political and cultural centre of 21st century Japan. Impossible to define and inconceivable in size, the only way to really understand Tokyo is to dive in and experience it for yourself
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As of the seats of imperial power for more than one thousand years, Kyoto and Nara are the most historic cities in Japan while nearby Osaka is big, bold, brash and tremendous fun
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The most northern Japan’s four main islands, Hokkaido is a destination unto itself – a place where you’ll find wildlife and open spaces including pristine landscapes and vast national parks, and of course some of the world’s best powder skiing and snowboarding.
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Famous for its beautiful landscapes including rugged coastline, historic 'onsen' villages, festivals, food and a couple of good ski resorts, Tohoku can be explored starting with the World Heritage shrine complex of Nikko
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- 1 Day Tour : Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park
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From the global significance of Hiroshima to Himeji and its celebrated castle, Chugoku is a region known for its blend of cities and histories and as the launching point from where to discover the Seto Inland Sea along with Shikoku and its 88 temple pilgrimage
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TOURS
- 1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake
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Lying in the south of Japan, Kyushu is a blend of cultural and natural attractions with the islands of Okinawa located even further to the south surrounded by the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
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