Experience the Historical Charm of Central JapanNagano / Toyama / Gifu / Aichi

The main keep of Matsumoto Castle was originally built in the late 16th to early 17th century and is an essential visit for those visiting Nagano prefecture. Stroll through a pristine garden beside the main tower before entering the keep. Together with steep staircases and an authentic wooden interior, marvel at the historical displays and various defensive measures such as narrow walls and stone drops.
The top of the keep, on the sixth floor, offers spectacular city views. In addition, you'll be hard pressed to find a bad photo spot throughout the castle's grounds. The view of the castle and its swan-filled moat are famous. During the cherry blossom season, you cannot miss the castle's rows of cherry trees on the northern side. The Red Uzumibashi Bridge and the Northern Alps skyline, which you can see from the fifth floor window are spectacular sights.

Traverse Japan's great outdoors with an adventure along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route! This world-class mountain sightseeing route spans a total distance of 37.2 km and guides you through the 3,000-meter-high Northern Alps via cable cars, trolley buses, ropeways, and buses. One of the main highlights of the route are the "walls of snow." These massive walls reach heights of up to 20 meters and are the result of snow removal around the Murodo Terminal from mid-April to June—when the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is open to traffic.
From summer to fall, enjoy the seasonal beauty of Bijodaira, a virgin beech forest; Shomyo Falls, Japan's tallest waterfall; Midagahara, an alpine marshland; Mikuriga-ike Pond, and Kurobe Dam, the tallest dam in Japan. In terms of accommodations, there are numerous lodging facilities along the route, such as hotels, mountain huts, and campgrounds.
You will not soon forget the captivating views of Central Japan's grand mountains.

The historic villages found at Shirakawa-go (and Gokayama) are a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site and notable for their traditional houses with steep thatched roofs that look like something out of a fairytale!
Visit the Tenshukaku Observatory to the north to get a bird's-eye view of the village. Coming here in winter will give you a glimpse of the snow-topped traditional houses painting a vivid winter wonderland.
These Gassho-style houses carry roofs designed to withstand snowfall, with the east/west orientation and steep, triangular roofs designed to stop snow building up and maximize exposure to the sun. Their upper floors gave way to silkworm cultivation, thanks to strong insulation and the rising warmth from below.
Shirakawa-go is a must-see attraction for any visit through Central Japan and to Gifu prefecture.

Gero Onsen is a famous hot spring resort located in Gifu, between Takayama to the north and Nagoya to the south, making it well worth a visit for travelers with weary feet looking to relax, recuperate or recover overnight.
In addition to a plethora of ryokan bathhouses (some are open to the public during the day), three main public bathhouses are located in the town. If you are serious about hot springs, a spa pass (Yumeguri Tegata) is a good investment and available throughout town. At 1300 yen, it'll grant 3 visits to any participating ryokan in town (and there are a lot!).
For those less into the 'full' onsen experience, perhaps sample Gero Onsen's restorative powers instead via one of the free footbaths dotted around town. In addition, there is a wide range of nature experiences available in the area such as visiting Osaka Falls and shower climbing.

Nagoya Castle was completed in 1615 by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Topped with golden shachihoko ornamentation and boasting the largest floorspace of any tower keep, Nagoya Castle and its magnificent Hommaru Palace were operated as a military facility.
Nagoya Castle was Japan's first castle to be designated a National Treasure. Even after wartime air raid destruction, its historical importance deemed classification as a National Historic Site. Restoration work currently underway will return Nagoya Castle to its original condition.