Travel in the heart of Japanese Alps

2019年 06月14日


The Japanese Alps crossing the principal island of Honshu stretching from north to the south. They are divised in 3 different mountain chains, The North Alps (Mt. Hida), the Central Alps (Mt. Kiso) and the South Alps (Mt. Akaishi). The summit of Mt. Kita, belonging to the South Alps, has 313 of altitude. Today, it is the second highest mountain after Fuji san.

The name "Japanese Alps" became popular thanks to the British alpinist Walter Weston in 19th century. The plate in his honnour is constructed in the valley of Kamikochi. In each spring, in order to keep his memory, a festival telling the opening for the mountain climbing takes place.

Matsumoto : a historical city of Japanese Alps

The city of Matsumoto, located in the heart of Japanese Alps, is crossed by many hiking paths going over the valleys of different mountains. Surrounded by mountain peaks, it gives a unique landscape. It has been the most prosperous city of Nagano prefecture in Edo period, and as it is located at the heart of the mountains, the city became rich by the war and being maintained the cultural and historical wealth until today. The most beautiful heritage is the castle.

Contrally to the Himeji castle and many other castles of Japan, the castle of Matsumoto is painted in black hence its name "Karasu jo" (the crow castle).  A bridge in vermillion colour makes the danjon of 6 stages more beautiful, surrounded by the moats. The castle which has been repainted in 2017 and its black colour makes the castle more beautiful and elegant. If you enter to the castle, you will see the stracture with the various dispositifs for the defense and also the armaments.

In Japan, only 12 castles are preserved their original appearances, and 5 of them are classified as "the national treasures". The 5 castles are: the castle of Himeji, of Hikone, of Inuyama, of Matsue and the castle of Matsumoto.

The region of Matsumoto is also famous with the quality of hot spring, called onsen in Japanese. All the hot springs' water goes to the city central and to the surrounded valleys. So you can easily to be relaxed in the onsen after the ski (ex. Nozawa onsen) or go to the onsen spot by walking.
Ryokan and lost onsen in the valley close to Matsumoto


There are very many actvities in Japanese Alps. Please find the most popular ski stations as follows:

  • Tateyama Sanroku, close to Toyama
  • Hakuba valley, close to the city of Nagano
  • Nozawa Onsen
  • Shika goen 
and more and more ....

The ski area of Hakuba


You can enjoy the hiking in following locations:

  • Kamikochi valley, 15 km of path along the river of Azusa

  • Magome, retracing the ancient route linking Tokyo and Kyoto during Edo period, passing par the paradise of the Japanese Alps, the village of Kiso.

  • Karasawa, on 2300m of height, this valley is known by Japanese people for the beautiful autumn leaves.

In addition to the ski stations, the region of Hakuba has magnificent hiking paths


In this region, other many activities as follows are waiting for you: 

  • The snow monkey park, with many monkeys, called saru in Japanese, warm themselves in the natural onsen
  • Hokusai museum: the museum of the famous painter Hokusai in the small sublime town of Obuse and the hidden gardens where he lived for many years.
  • Shirakawa-go, a village with history belongs to the World Humanity Heritage Site.
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