The Jigokudani Monkey Park, located in Yamanouchi in the Nagano Mountains, is famous for its Japanese macaques that bathe in hot springs. Open all year round, it offers a unique experience of animal observation. The ideal time to visit is winter, especially from December to March.
The Obasute station, located at altitude in Nagano prefecture, offers a striking panorama of the Chikuma valley and is enriched by a Japanese legend. Known for its atypical functioning, it attracts railway enthusiasts and allows an immersion in the culture and rural landscape of Japan.
The Niitsu Railway Museum, located in Niigata, illustrates the importance of the railway in local history and industrialization. Opened in 1983, the museum offers various exhibitions on Japanese railway heritage, with easy access for visitors. Ideal for those looking for an authentic industrial Japan experience.
The Ise Katagami Museum in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, offers an immersion in the ancient art of katagami, a dyeing technique using paper stencils. This museum, housed in a historic workshop, presents demonstrations and workshops, allowing visitors to understand this unique textile know-how in Japan.
The Ise-Shima Peninsula in Japan is known for its traditional Ama divers, who harvest free diving marine resources. This practice, threatened by the aging of divers and the scarcity of resources, reflects a respectful relationship with the sea. It offers travellers an authentic and immersive experience.
The Kawazu Seven Falls, located in Shizuoka Prefecture, offer a hike in the heart of unspoilt nature. Composed of seven waterfalls, they invite to an immersive and soothing walk, appreciated by lovers of volcanic landscapes. Accessible from Tokyo, this site represents a beautiful off-road discovery.
Okazaki, located in Aichi Prefecture, is a historic town known as the cradle of Tokugawa Ieyasu. With its iconic castle, parks, temples and local gastronomy, it offers a rich and quiet experience, ideal for travellers wishing to explore Japan outside the big cities.
Shizuoka, famous for its landscapes and culture, is the birthplace of Momoko Sakura, the author of Chibi Maruko-chan. This manga, a reflection of the childhood of the 1970s, has become a cultural symbol. The recommended course includes Chibi Maruko-chan Land, local delights and an immersion in the Shimizu of yesteryear, offering a rich experience.
Okazaki Castle, the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, is a major historical site in Japan, combining military and natural heritage. Accessible from Nagoya, it offers a peaceful setting to discover feudal history and enjoy cherry blossoms, while being a point of interest for travelers.
The Hakusan Folk Museum, located at the foot of Mount Hakusan in Ishikawa Prefecture, preserves a rural lifestyle called dezukuri, based on self-sufficiency. Its ancient buildings illustrate the lives of families in the mountains. The museum offers an immersive experience on Japanese agriculture and traditions, essential to understanding rural Japan.
