DETOUR FROM THE GOLDEN ROUTE
Take a detour and discover the Hokuriku and Chubu Region
The Golden Route is the most visited travel route for
foreign tourists in Japan. Following the historical
Tokaido Road, this route stops in Tokyo, Hakone near Mt.
Fuji, the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, as well as the
World Heritage Sites of Himeji and Hiroshima. However, there is a
worthwhile alternate route through the Hokuriku and Chubu regions that
travels between Nagoya and Maibara, stopping in the scenic towns
of Gifu, Takayama, Toyama and Kanazawa . Visitors can take this
detour on to way to or from Tokyo, depending on one's schedule. As
they are located in the center of Honshu, between the Japan Alps and
Sea of Japan, these areas are known for heavy snowfall in winter
and high temperatures in summer. Takayama, at the foot of the
Alps, is a popular tourist destination and the perfect starting
point for a trip to the pastoral 'Shirakawa-go' village in Gifu
Prefecture. The Hokuriku region includes Ishikawa,
Toyama and Fukui Prefectures, all of which face the
Japan Sea. The rugged and eroded coastline in this
area, like the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, is
famous for its seafood. Protected by the rough waves,
Echizen crab and Toyama's firefly squid are
considered regional delicacies. Take this detour and
spend a few days discovering a new side of Japan!
Ishikawa Prefecture, in the Hokuriku Region, faces
the Japan Sea and has two distinct districts - Noto and
Kaga. In the North, the Noto Peninsula offers
delicious local seafood that visitors can sample while
enjoying gorgeous views of the peninsula's 580
kilometers coastline. Kaga, the mountainous
southern region, includes Mt. Haku-san and
Kanazawa, referred to as 'Little Kyoto' because of its
many historical sites.
Kanazawa is also home to
'Kenrokuen', one of the three
best landscape gardens in
Japan. In addition to these
sites, Ishikawa is known for its
handicrafts, particularly
'Kutani Ware', 'Kaga-yuzen'
and Wajima laquerware.
Surrounded by the steep mountains of the Japan
Alps, Toyama prefecture shares its border with
Niigata, Nagano, Gifu and Ishikawa Prefectures.
With gorgeous natural surroundings in any season,
travel highlights include the famed
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route and Kurobe Gorge
in summer, Zuiryuji Temple and Gokayama Village
(a 'gassho-zukuri' style village
and World Heritage Site). As
one of the most plentiful fishing
areas in Japan, fresh seafood
from Toyama Bay is readily
available. Local specialties
such as firefly squid, white
shrimp and yellowtail fish are
all quite tasty.
From the idyllic alpine landscapes in the northern
Hida region, to the rich water resources of the
southern Mino region, Gifu Prefecture offers
peaceful natural surroundings along with several
cultural sites. Shirakawa-go, a World Cultural
Heritage Site, provides a glimpse into the past with
its steep thatch roofed farmhouses and is a definite
must-see. Hida Takayama has alleys lined with old
houses and shops, and is
famous for the gorgeous
Takayama Festival. Since
ancient times, craftwork in Gifu
has thrived under 'Takumis'
(master artisans) skilled in
textiles, ceramics, paperwork
and more. Visitors can take
their time reveling in Gifu's
tranquility and unique
traditions.
Shared by Aomori and Akita, the
A rare geological phenomenon only seen in this part
of Japan, Tojinbo's amazing pillar shaped rocks of
pyroxene andesine
extend for almost
one kilometer. This
rugged part of
coastline battles the
Sea of Japan's
rough waves and
offers a
breathtaking view.
Located in Katsuyama City, Fukui, this well known
museum is home to treasured dinosaur fossils and is
a center for international paleontological study.
Displays include dinosaur fossils, restored dinosaur
models and
dioramas. Visitors
can even
experience on site
training in the
Field Museum.
Lake Biwa(Shiga)
Surrounded by
mountains, Lake
Biwa is in the center of Shiga Prefecture. This is the
largest lake in Japan and offers a variety of leisure
attractions including sightseeing cruises and a
Prefectural Park that features a playground for
children. Additionally, Nagisa Park stretches 5
kilometers along the lakeshore.
Specialities Echizen Crab
Shigaraki Pottery
Echizen crab inhabit the
coast of the Sea of Japan
and are often said to be
the 'King of Winter
Food'. The male crab is called 'Zuwai' and the female is
called 'Seiko'. Fishermen catch them using a dragnet and
then sell them fresh at auction fish markets. They are
then shipped to Fukui, Kanazawa and the Kyoto area.
Known as one of the six oldest
kilns in Japan, Shigaraki Ware's
history dates back to 742 when
tiles were made for the
construction of the emperor's
palace. Today, 'Shigaraki Ware'
is probably most famous for its
raccoon dog ornaments.
The Golden Route is the most visited travel route for
foreign tourists in Japan. Following the historical
Tokaido Road, this route stops in Tokyo, Hakone near Mt.
Fuji, the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, as well as the
World Heritage Sites of Himeji and Hiroshima. However, there is a
worthwhile alternate route through the Hokuriku and Chubu regions that
travels between Nagoya and Maibara, stopping in the scenic towns
of Gifu, Takayama, Toyama and Kanazawa . Visitors can take this
detour on to way to or from Tokyo, depending on one's schedule. As
they are located in the center of Honshu, between the Japan Alps and
Sea of Japan, these areas are known for heavy snowfall in winter
and high temperatures in summer. Takayama, at the foot of the
Alps, is a popular tourist destination and the perfect starting
point for a trip to the pastoral 'Shirakawa-go' village in Gifu
Prefecture. The Hokuriku region includes Ishikawa,
Toyama and Fukui Prefectures, all of which face the
Japan Sea. The rugged and eroded coastline in this
area, like the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, is
famous for its seafood. Protected by the rough waves,
Echizen crab and Toyama's firefly squid are
considered regional delicacies. Take this detour and
spend a few days discovering a new side of Japan!
Ishikawa Prefecture, in the Hokuriku Region, faces
the Japan Sea and has two distinct districts - Noto and
Kaga. In the North, the Noto Peninsula offers
delicious local seafood that visitors can sample while
enjoying gorgeous views of the peninsula's 580
kilometers coastline. Kaga, the mountainous
southern region, includes Mt. Haku-san and
Kanazawa, referred to as 'Little Kyoto' because of its
many historical sites.
Kanazawa is also home to
'Kenrokuen', one of the three
best landscape gardens in
Japan. In addition to these
sites, Ishikawa is known for its
handicrafts, particularly
'Kutani Ware', 'Kaga-yuzen'
and Wajima laquerware.
Surrounded by the steep mountains of the Japan
Alps, Toyama prefecture shares its border with
Niigata, Nagano, Gifu and Ishikawa Prefectures.
With gorgeous natural surroundings in any season,
travel highlights include the famed
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route and Kurobe Gorge
in summer, Zuiryuji Temple and Gokayama Village
(a 'gassho-zukuri' style village
and World Heritage Site). As
one of the most plentiful fishing
areas in Japan, fresh seafood
from Toyama Bay is readily
available. Local specialties
such as firefly squid, white
shrimp and yellowtail fish are
all quite tasty.
From the idyllic alpine landscapes in the northern
Hida region, to the rich water resources of the
southern Mino region, Gifu Prefecture offers
peaceful natural surroundings along with several
cultural sites. Shirakawa-go, a World Cultural
Heritage Site, provides a glimpse into the past with
its steep thatch roofed farmhouses and is a definite
must-see. Hida Takayama has alleys lined with old
houses and shops, and is
famous for the gorgeous
Takayama Festival. Since
ancient times, craftwork in Gifu
has thrived under 'Takumis'
(master artisans) skilled in
textiles, ceramics, paperwork
and more. Visitors can take
their time reveling in Gifu's
tranquility and unique
traditions.
Shared by Aomori and Akita, the
A rare geological phenomenon only seen in this part
of Japan, Tojinbo's amazing pillar shaped rocks of
pyroxene andesine
extend for almost
one kilometer. This
rugged part of
coastline battles the
Sea of Japan's
rough waves and
offers a
breathtaking view.
Located in Katsuyama City, Fukui, this well known
museum is home to treasured dinosaur fossils and is
a center for international paleontological study.
Displays include dinosaur fossils, restored dinosaur
models and
dioramas. Visitors
can even
experience on site
training in the
Field Museum.
Surrounded by
mountains, Lake
Biwa is in the center of Shiga Prefecture. This is the
largest lake in Japan and offers a variety of leisure
attractions including sightseeing cruises and a
Prefectural Park that features a playground for
children. Additionally, Nagisa Park stretches 5
kilometers along the lakeshore.
Echizen crab inhabit the
coast of the Sea of Japan
and are often said to be
the 'King of Winter
Food'. The male crab is called 'Zuwai' and the female is
called 'Seiko'. Fishermen catch them using a dragnet and
then sell them fresh at auction fish markets. They are
then shipped to Fukui, Kanazawa and the Kyoto area.
Known as one of the six oldest
kilns in Japan, Shigaraki Ware's
history dates back to 742 when
tiles were made for the
construction of the emperor's
palace. Today, 'Shigaraki Ware'
is probably most famous for its
raccoon dog ornaments.
