|
In the center of Japan, the Chubu Area is dominated by the Japan Alps, made up of three
mountain ranges, the Hida, Kiso and Akaishi Mountains, that run north to south. The coastal region between the Alps
and the Sea of Japan is known as Hokuriku.A must see for any visitor to Japan,
Mt. Fuji is located to the south, on the border between Yamanashi and
Shizuoka Prefectures. Obviously, mountain scenery, hiking and
skiing are major attractions in the area, but there are also onsen (hot spring) resorts and many places of historical interest.
It's possible to take a step back in time and stay at a 300-year
old inn in the picturesque village of Shirakawa-go, set in the foothills of the Alps. Two major music festivals
- Earth Celebration, hosted by Kodo on Sado Island and the Fuji Rock Festival - are held in the area. Niigata and
Nagano Prefectures are particularly famous for their rice and
by-products such as sake (rice wine). The other prefectures that make up Chubu are Aichi,
Gifu, Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama.
|
