The Chubu region of Japan offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and culinary delights. This guide introduces five must-visit destinations, including spots in Shizuoka and Fukui Prefectures, ideal for a campervan journey. Along the way, discover how each location contrasts with Western landscapes and traditions, making your trip uniquely Japanese.
1. Atami Hot Springs and Hatsushima (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Highlights: Located on Shizuoka’s eastern coast, Atami is a renowned hot spring town. Stroll along the seaside and relax in open-air foot baths with ocean views. From nearby ports, take a short ferry ride to Hatsushima, a quaint island offering fresh seafood and tranquil vibes, perfect for a mini-island getaway. Park your campervan in Atami and enjoy the ferry ride to this serene retreat.
Atami beach and castle
Difference from Western Spots: Atami’s integration of hot springs into daily life and Hatsushima’s intimate island atmosphere offer a close connection to nature and community, unlike large-scale Western beach resorts.
Local Cuisine: Savor dried horse mackerel (“aji no himono”) in Atami and enjoy fresh seafood dishes, including octopus specialties, on Hatsushima. Don’t miss the famous Atami pudding for dessert!
aji no himono
2. Shirakawa-go (Gifu Prefecture)
Highlights: Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famed for its thatched-roof Gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Surrounded by lush fields in summer or snow in winter, this picturesque village offers a glimpse into Japan’s agricultural past and its adaptation to harsh winters.
Gassho-zukuri farmhouses
Difference from Western Spots: The steep, triangular roofs of Shirakawa-go’s houses are a uniquely Japanese solution to heavy snowfall, contrasting with the stone or timber farmhouses common in Europe.
Local Cuisine: Enjoy “Hoba Miso,” a rustic dish where miso paste is grilled with vegetables on a magnolia leaf, along with fresh river fish and handmade soba noodles.
Gohei Mochi
3. Matsumoto City (Nagano Prefecture)
Highlights: Matsumoto is a historic and cultural hub in the Japanese Alps, home to Matsumoto Castle, known for its striking black exterior and historic wooden structure. The city also serves as a gateway to natural attractions like Kamikochi and the Northern Alps.
Matsumoto Castle
Difference from Western Spots: Matsumoto Castle’s wooden architecture and tranquil moat contrast with the stone castles and grandiose fortresses of Europe, offering a quieter elegance.
Local Cuisine: Try “Sanzokuyaki,” a hearty fried chicken dish, or the region’s famous buckwheat soba noodles. Don’t forget to indulge in desserts and drinks made from Nagano’s locally grown apples.
Shinshu saba with Tenpula
4. Noto Peninsula (Ishikawa Prefecture)
Highlights: Stretching into the Sea of Japan, the Noto Peninsula features stunning coastal scenery and traditional rural life. Visit the Senmaida terraced rice fields or the bustling Wajima Morning Market, where local crafts and fresh seafood abound.
Senmaida terraced rice fields
Difference from Western Spots: The intricate layout of Noto’s rice terraces is a stark contrast to the expansive, flat farmlands found in Western countries, reflecting Japan’s efficient use of limited space.
Local Cuisine: Seafood lovers will delight in Noto’s offerings, such as winter crab, oysters, and the savory-sweet “Noto Don” rice bowls. Pair your meal with locally brewed sake for the full experience.
winter crab
5. Tojinbo Cliffs (Fukui Prefecture)
Highlights: Tojinbo, located on the Sea of Japan coast, is a dramatic landscape of towering basalt cliffs shaped by millennia of ocean waves. This rugged beauty is complemented by nearby attractions such as the Fukui Dinosaur Museum and local hot springs.
Tojinbo
Difference from Western Spots: The unique columnar basalt formations of Tojinbo are reminiscent of Icelandic landscapes but offer a distinctly Japanese sense of serenity and cultural connection.
Local Cuisine: Indulge in Fukui’s famous “Echizen Crab” during the winter season. Other must-try dishes include “Sauce Katsu-don” (pork cutlet rice bowl) and “Heshiko,” a fermented mackerel delicacy.
Sauce Katsu-don
🏔️ Chubu Region Campervan Journey – FAQ
Atami’s integration of hot springs into daily life and Hatsushima’s intimate island atmosphere offer close connection to nature and community, unlike large-scale Western beach resorts. Located on Shizuoka’s eastern coast, Atami features seaside open-air foot baths with ocean views, while nearby Hatsushima provides a quaint ferry-accessible island retreat. The local specialty is dried horse mackerel (“aji no himono”) in Atami and fresh octopus specialties on Hatsushima. Don’t miss the famous Atami pudding for dessert! This combination creates a uniquely Japanese coastal experience emphasizing relaxation and local community culture.
Shirakawa-go’s steep, triangular Gassho-zukuri thatched roofs are a uniquely Japanese solution to heavy snowfall, contrasting with stone or timber farmhouses common in Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage site showcases traditional farmhouses surrounded by lush summer fields or winter snow, offering glimpses into Japan’s agricultural past and harsh winter adaptations. The signature dish “Hoba Miso” involves grilling miso paste with vegetables on magnolia leaves, accompanied by fresh river fish and handmade soba noodles. This architectural and culinary heritage represents centuries of Japanese mountain community ingenuity and sustainable living practices.
Matsumoto City serves as a historic and cultural hub in the Japanese Alps, featuring Matsumoto Castle with its striking black exterior and wooden architecture that contrasts with European stone castles and grandiose fortresses, offering quieter elegance. The city provides gateway access to natural attractions like Kamikochi and the Northern Alps. Local specialties include “Sanzokuyaki,” a hearty fried chicken dish, and the region’s famous buckwheat soba noodles. Don’t miss desserts and drinks made from Nagano’s locally grown apples. This combination of castle history, mountain access, and regional cuisine creates a uniquely Japanese cultural experience.
The intricate layout of Noto Peninsula’s Senmaida terraced rice fields contrasts starkly with expansive, flat farmlands found in Western countries, reflecting Japan’s efficient use of limited space. Stretching into the Sea of Japan, the peninsula features stunning coastal scenery and traditional rural life, including the bustling Wajima Morning Market with local crafts and fresh seafood. Seafood lovers will delight in winter crab, oysters, and savory-sweet “Noto Don” rice bowls paired with locally brewed sake. This landscape demonstrates thousands of years of Japanese agricultural innovation and harmonious relationship with challenging topography.
Tojinbo’s unique columnar basalt formations are reminiscent of Icelandic landscapes but offer distinctly Japanese sense of serenity and cultural connection. Located on the Sea of Japan coast, these dramatic towering cliffs shaped by millennia of ocean waves create rugged beauty complemented by nearby attractions like Fukui Dinosaur Museum and local hot springs. The region is famous for winter “Echizen Crab” delicacy, along with “Sauce Katsu-don” (pork cutlet rice bowl) and “Heshiko,” a fermented mackerel specialty. This combination of geological wonder and unique local cuisine creates an unforgettable cultural and natural experience.
The Chubu region offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and culinary delights perfectly suited for campervan exploration. From relaxing Atami hot springs to dramatic Tojinbo cliffs, the region combines seaside resorts, UNESCO World Heritage farmhouses, historic mountain castles, intricate rice terraces, and geological wonders. Each destination contrasts with Western counterparts while offering unique Japanese experiences—from hot spring integration to space-efficient agriculture, wooden castle architecture to fermented seafood delicacies. Campervan travel provides freedom to uncover the essence of Japan through these diverse landscapes and authentic local cuisine at your own pace.
Conclusion
From the relaxing hot springs of Atami to the dramatic cliffs of Tojinbo, Chubu is a region rich in natural beauty, history, and local cuisine. A campervan journey offers the perfect way to explore the unique charm of these destinations and their contrasts with Western counterparts. Enjoy the freedom to uncover the essence of Japan!
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