The Japanese Alps 日本アルプス

  • Published on : 08/04/2020
  • by : La rédaction / J.R.

The Japanese Alps: the mountain in the heart of Japan

In the Chûbu region, between Kansai and Kanto, stand the Japanese Alps: a large and majestic mountain range whose various mountains exceed 3000 meters in altitude. Splendid panoramas, sporting hikes, thrilling skiing, hot springs or even centuries-old villages ... The Japanese Alps are home to their share of activities and well-kept secrets.

The name "Japanese Alps" was given by an English archaeologist, William Gowland , who explored this mountain range at the end of the 19th century and saw there a geological resemblance to the European Alps. The name was then popularized in the 20th century by a British missionary, Walter Weston , who also explored these mountains and documented Gowland's work.

Japan's only three active glaciers are also found in the Japanese Alps.

 

Alpes japonaises

Le massif des Alpes japonaises

Pixabay

Discovering the treasures of the Japanese Alps

Surrounded by the peaks of the Japanese Alps, the resort of Matsumoto is more than just the starting point for mountain activities. You can also visit one of the country's highest perched castles, Matsumoto-jô, nicknamed "Raven Castle" because of its dark roof. Just a few minutes' walk away, the Kaichi school-museum is like a classroom frozen in 1876, when the Meiji regime (1868-1912) set out to change the people through education; while the Naka-machi ("inner city") district has preserved its kura, the old warehouses typical of the late 19th century.

And to spice up your trip, the small town of Hotaka (named after a famous mountain peak) is the capital of wasabi, the green-colored horseradish that graces so many Japanese dishes, and several specialized farms are open to visitors (notably Dai-ô).

Carte des randonnées dans les Alpes Japonaises
Randonnées dans les Alpes Japonaises
Randonnées dans les Alpes Japonaises
Randonnées dans les Alpes Japonaises
Randonnées dans les Alpes Japonaises
Randonnées dans les Alpes Japonaises
Randonnées dans les Alpes Japonaises

Many ski areas are spread elsewhere in the Japanese Alps, especially around Nagano : we recommend the popular Hakuba and Shiga Kôgen . From Toyama, the Tateyama Sanroku station will allow you to enjoy the snow.

You can extend your stay in the surroundings by joining the beautiful Kanazawa via "little Kyoto" , Takayama , and the famous village of Shirakawa-gô , in Hakusan national park : traditional houses with thatched roofs classified as World Heritage of Unesco.

Alpes japonaises

Maguse Onsen

Wikimedia Commons

Lift for skiers at the Shiga Kôgen area

Wikipedia

Takayama

Takayama

photozou

Gassho-zukuri type houses, in the village of Shirakawago

Gassho-zukuri houses in the village of Shirakawago, near Takayama

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Découvrez Matsumoto avec un guide !

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Our tours in Nagano

  • Duration : 13 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima
  • Included : Visits & meals, English-speaking tour leader, Hotel temple, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan
  • Duration : 14 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan, Osaka
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  • Duration : 12 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko), Osaka, Himeji, Kyoto, Nara
  • Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3* Hotels & Ryokan, Visits & meals
  • Duration : 12 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kawaguchiko, Tokyo
  • Included : English-speaking tour leader, 3*/4* Hotels & Ryokan, Visits & meals
  • Duration : 21 days
  • Locations : Tokyo, Hakone Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan, Osaka, Kobe, Takachiho, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Miyajima
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