Shirahone Onsen

This is a scenic spot with an altitude of 1500 m in the southern part of the Hida Mountain Range. It has many sightseeing spots such as Azusa RiverKappa BridgeMyojin PondTakesawa WetlandsTashiro Pond. As there are only a few such plains spread out in Japan to this extent, many tourists flock to this area to see the rare scenery. The area is also the habitat of the Japanese monkey, Char Fish, and Genji firefly.

This is a hot spring deep in Oku Hida. It is situated in the northern alps, and was admired by Shingen Takeda during the Sengoku era(1467-1600), as an onsen with the third most plentiful amount of spring water. The onsen is unique in that there is a free communal bath area with many different types of baths.

This is the largest glacier valley in Japan at the southern part of the Hida mountain range. There is a stunning view between Mount Okuhogatake and Mount Maehogatake due to their height difference of about 1,000 meters. The area has become popular for autumn leaf viewing in recent years, and the trees, known for their "three stage" autumn leaves offer an interesting contrast to the surrounding rocky area.

Located at the southern part of the Hida mountain range, this is Japan's 5th tallest mountain at 3,180 meters. As the name suggests, the mountain has an unusual shape resembling a spear that is being cast to heaven. This has earned it the nickname of "Japan's matterhorn". The sunrise and sunset views with the sea of clouds below captures the hearts of many climbers.

This is the 34th town inn which is located on the Nakasendo road, which links Tokyo (Edo at the time) and Kyoto, built during the Sengoku era(1467-1600). Situated just past the Torii gate in a perilous spot, the inn town became known as the "Narai of 1000 hotels" by many travelers. During the Edo period(1603-1868), the woodwork industry became prolific in the area with wooden crafts and lacquering, and is popular as a souvenir spot today.

This is a castle build by Ogasawara clan in 1504. It is famous as one of Japan's only 12 castle towers and is one of 5 which has been designated as a national treasure by the Japanese government. The castle was taken into ownership by Ishikawa Kagumasa in 1590, and it is said that he painted the castle jet black to express loyalty to the castle lord, and became famously known as the "Crow castle".

This is an Onsen near Hida Takayama. It is a new onsen that is established in an historic castle town with traditional style buildings and the Takayama Festivals. The alps become completely awash with white snow during the winter, so taking a warm bath is ideal to warm the body whilst looking out at the snowy landscape.

This is a shrine whose construction date is unknown. It houses the God known as Okuninushi no MikotoMii no Kami. This place is also home to one of Japan's three Hadaka festivals (where a minimum amount of clothing, normally a loincloth) is worn, known as "Furukawa festival", which has been performed since the Edo era(1603-1868). The resonant sound of the drum rings out during the festival proceedings. There are many fans of the anime "Your name" who make the pilgrimage here in dedication to the anime piece.

This is a plateau situated in central Nagano, with an altitude of 2,000 meters. Beyond the Venus line highway renowned for its views, this hidden area awaits. Here visitors can see a 360 degree panoramic view of the northern and southern alps, Sengen mountain, and Mount Fuji. The area is an ideal photo spot for its otherworldly starscapes above and cloud scapes below.

This is an Alpine route of the Tateyama Kurobe mountain range. As snow has to be cleared aside in the heavy mountain zone of Toyama in around March, visitors can see the spectacular snow walls in April and May, with a height of 15-20m.

This is a traditional shrine whose construction date is unknown. It houses two Gods known as Takeminakata no Kami and Yasakatome no Kami and 25,000 companies in Japan are associated with the shrine. It has been long known and revered as a war shrine, and where Sakanoue no Tamuramaro prayed for victory during the conquering of Ezo district. There are four halls which are separated by Lake Suwa, with the upper area of Honmiya and Maemiya on one side, and Akimiya and Harumiya on the other.

This is a crater lake at altitude 2,405 meters formed by the volcanic activity of Tateyama volcano, in Murodo-daira. In Tateyama faith, the name has the meaning of "God's kitchen" and the pond's water ownership was bequeathed to Tateyama. For those practicing religion in this area, it became known as holy water.

This is Japan's tallest waterfall at 350m, in the Tateyama mountain range. The name comes from the fact that a Priest named Hounen heard the voice that called "Shomyo Nenbutsu " from the sound of the waterfall.

This is a famous hot spring in Gero City. With 1000 years of history, it is named as one of Japan's three best onsen, by Hayashi Razan, a neo-Confucian philosopher. There were many times where the area was destroyed by floods of the Hida River, but it was restored each time, and there is a full onsen town along the river. Hoba Miso paste (made from Magnolia leaf) is a specialty product in this area.※Credit：下呂温泉観光協会

This is an Onsen located on the river bed of Chikuma River. It opened during the Meiji era(1858-1912), and was known as a place of devotion towards the Zenkoji Temple, as well as a place of healing for wounded and sick soldiers during the war. A total of 150 geisha registered to this onsen, and also has the unique characteristic of being an onsen constructed on a base of a shooting range.

This is the 42nd town inn which is located on the Nakasendo road, which links Tokyo (Edo at the time) and Kyoto, built during the Sengoku era(1467-1600). It has appeared in Ukiyo-e art and Utagawa Hiroshige, and is one of Japan's few traditional villages whose buildings are preserved today. Along with Magome-Juku it is one of the flagship tourist destinations of Kiso road.

This is a village situated in northern Gifu, and registered as a World Heritage Site. It is known as an area with one of the highest levels of snowfall, and due to this, the roofing of houses is set at a steep angle to deal with the snow fall. Some of these houses still exist nowadays, and are still in use.

This is one of Japan's three large snowy mountains with a length of 3.5km and altitude of 600 meters, situated in Hakuba village. The valley is formed from the peaks of Hakuba and Suko, and as there is a walking route of about one hour from Sarukura to the snowy mountain area, it is an ideal hiking course.

This is the 43rd town inn which is located on the Nakasendo road, which links Tokyo (Edo at the time) and Kyoto, built during the Sengoku era(1467-1600). It has the traditional cobbled stone paths that were present originally, and is one of Japan's few traditional villages whose buildings are preserved today. Along with Tsumagoi-Juku it is one of the flagship tourist destinations of Kiso road.

This is a famous settlement in the southern part of Toyama prefecture, and listed as a World Heritage Site. It is known for particularly heavy snow fall, and the buildings have particularly steep sloped roofing to adapt to this climate. The area is also particularly unique for its frequent traditional folk dances that take place here.