Chubu, and the Aichi area in particular, is famous for its soybean farming and production of miso, a traditional Japanese ingredient of fermented soybean paste. Thanks to its location between Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya has been influenced by the dining scenes of both cities, but it is also known for a number of local foods, including tebasaki chicken wings and hatcho miso a type of red miso which is used in various regional dishes.
Hida beef is a highly esteemed brand of kuroge wagyu beef from the Gifu area in central Japan. The Koshin region comprises Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures.
The Chubu region's history was shaped by its strategic position between the great cities of Kyoto and Edo Tokyo. The Chubu region is crossed by the ancient highways of the Tokaido along the coast the route now largely followed by the Tokaido shinkansen and the Nakasendo through the mountains to the north.
There are also excellent onsen and opportunities for hiking in the Chubu region as well as swimming and snorkelling on the Echizen coast in Fukui. Nagoya , the prefectural capital of Aichi Prefecture and arrival point for many international flights to the region at the recent, offshore Chubu International Airport.
Nagoya is Japan's fourth largest city and in the top 40 in the world and a major industrial zone which includes many factories servicing the giant car-maker, Toyota Corp. Shizuoka , a modern, relaxing city within easy reach of Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula. Toyohashi , an historic, pleasant city on the Tokaido Highway.
Gifu , a castle town, north of Nagoya, famous for its cormorant fishing and paper umbrella production. Inuyama , Japan's oldest fortress and site of the Meiji Mura open air museum. Gujo Hachiman , historic castle town known for its summer Obon dancing. Gero Onsen , popular hot spa resort north of Nagoya.
Takayama - beautifully preserved town in a rich mountain setting. Hida Furukawa - a compact version of Takayama just 15 km away. Magome and Tsumago , a pair of small villages with good hiking and restored wooden houses in the Kiso Valley. Izu Peninsula is well known for its hot springs onsen and seaside resorts including the town of Atami.
Kanazawa , prefectural capital of Ishikawa and best known for its wonderful garden the Kenrokuen. Niigata , largest port on the Japan Sea coast and gateway to Sado Island.
None of the flat land extends far enough to offer a level, unbroken horizon. The plain wraps itself around the city and its equally congested southern neighbours of Yokohama, Kamakura and Izu. To the southwest is the unmistakeable snowcapped cone of Mt Fuji and the hot springs of Hakone , while in the hills to the north are the temples of Nikko.
In the area known as Chubu to the west beyond the Kanto plain, Japan is both highly industrial, as in Nagoya to the southwest, and rural, such as is found in the delightful Noto Peninsula and elsewhere along the Sea of Japan coast.
There is also the historical city of Kanazawa, and the metre peaks of the Japan Alps. One of the world's great cities, Tokyo is a fascinating place to explore. Rebuilt after the earthquake without any comprehensive urban plan, it remains a city of subcentres and neighbourhoods, even villages, each with its own distinct personality. Read more about Tokyo…. In the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture two hours north of Tokyo by train, Nikko is the final resting place of Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, who died in Toshogu, the mausoleum complex that Ieyasu built for himself, is one of Japan's most remarkable sights.
Toshogu comprises 42 structures, each a masterpiece of traditional design and many embellished with ornate carvings of, among other things, dragons and other mythical creatures, children at play, clouds and harp-playing spirits. The buildings, set on the steep hillside, are linked by series of stone steps, and some are entered through fabulous gateways.
Nikko is known as much for its autumn splendour as for its Buddhist temples, and the waterfalls and forested hills of the Nikko National Park area are a major reason to visit. The forests are filled with ancient trees, with suji , or Japanese cedar particularly numerous.
Even if you are only here for a daytrip, you should take the 10km 6 mile bus ride up the spectacular winding Irohazaka Highway to Chuzenji. Better yet, take a cab and stop at Akechi-daira, the halfway point. The view of Mt Nantai and the valley below is magnificent. In its near perfect symmetry, the cone of Mt Fuji, snowcapped even in summer, is so exquisitely formed that it seems more like the work of an infinitely patient landscape artist than a volcanic accident.
The solitary majestic peak rises 3,m 12,ft into the heavens. Fuji-san last erupted in , and its dormant state allows the large number of visitors who come every year to climb to the summit. For others, the climb is an exercise in self-discipline and physical purification. It's best to stick to the warmest months.
0コメント