Discover Age-Old Traditions and Alpine Wonders on this Central Japan Adventure TourNagano / Gifu

One of the best experiences in Japan is getting to know the local communities that carry on the age-old traditions that make this part of the world so unique. Discover rural Japan on a rice-harvesting experience in Hakuba, a beautiful village located at the foothills of the northern part of the Japanese Alps. Your hosts will serve breakfast before taking you to the rice paddies, where you'll get involved with the harvest. Learn about the local yukigata (snow shape) tradition, a practice unique to the region, and get hands-on in the fields. At lunchtime, have a go at making your very own hotpot using local ingredients, including rice. Then, for dinner, you'll be treated to a seafood feast cooked in the traditional robatayaki style over crackling charcoal. Enjoy local folk tales that tell stories about mountain worshipping and the Chikuni Kaido, a trade route between the mountain and Sea of Japan, as you tuck into your meal.

Azumino is known throughout Japan as the gateway to the Japanese Alps. The imposing mountain peaks stand guard over the town and its environs, providing a breathtaking backdrop. The best way to explore this quiet stretch of rural Japan is to rent a bicycle and discover Azumino on two wheels. Choose from a dedicated cycle tour or navigate this tranquil valley at your own pace. Beyond stunning mountain views, there’s much to see and experience in Azumino. Discover rice paddies, wasabi farms and other traditional farming communities of people who live alongside nature as you wind your way through this peaceful corner of Nagano Prefecture. The area’s pristine waterways are not only picturesque but allow Azumino to produce some of Japan’s finest wasabi. Leave the car behind and slow down as you explore one of Japan’s best-kept secrets.

While mountain climbing initially had a spiritual focus, it gradually evolved into a leisure activity enjoyed by all. In fact, Kamikochi, in the Nagano mountains, is a top-rated destination for adventure tourists keen to experience Japanese mountains and the jaw-dropping scenery they provide up close and personal. Walking in Japan is a joy, thanks in no small part to the quality of the services and variety of attractions at the country's most sought-after hiking spots, and Kamikochi certainly lives up to the standard. To experience one of the most popular hikes in Japan, gently climb to Myojin Pond at Hotaka Shrine, an important and spiritual place for both Shinto followers and mountain worshippers. Rest up in a Yamagoya log cabin with a traditional irori hearth. Kamikochi at night differs from the daytime when you'll find many people going and bustling along the hiking trails. After dark, when most visitors leave, you can enjoy the peace and serenity of an exceptionally starry sky. Afterward, warm your body and soul in a hot spring.

Hida Takayama is a traditional Japanese town at the foot of the Japan Alps, in an area renowned for its startling beauty and dramatic mountain scenery. Yet, while the town serves as the perfect base for exploring the Alps, it is an outstanding destination and one you can’t miss on your itinerary when visiting this breathtaking corner of Central Japan. If walking in Japan is high on your priorities during your visit to the country, then Hida Takayama certainly fits the bill. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Nomugi Kaido and Buri Kaido roads, where people and goods have exchanged hands for generations, and engage with the local community at the vibrant market. Perhaps the most mesmerizing part of the town is its Sanmachi area. Here, historic buildings are perfectly preserved, making it feel like you are stepping back in time. Discover winding streets, quirky shops selling unique crafts, and numerous eateries serving local specialties, like wagyu sushi.

Okuhida Onsen is an ideal base from which to explore Japan’s Northern Alps, but with its wide range of outdoor onsen and ryokan, there’s plenty to encourage you to stay and soak up the atmosphere. However, if you’re looking for something more unusual and adventurous, then Rail Mountain Bike Gattan Go is the ideal choice. This unique experience runs along the former Kamioka Railway, which opened in 1984 as a mining railway, and closed in 2006 as passenger traffic dwindled. Noted for its picturesque landscapes, the railway was opened to cyclists in 2007 and uses specially designed electric mountain bikes built to fit the tracks. Choose between two courses. The Town Course incorporates sweeping views across the town and daring trips through a series of pitch-black tunnels. For those who really want to work up a sweat, the Canyon Course traverses great bridges, lush forests, and bubbling mountain rivers. Keep an eye out for the many bears that call the area home.