Chubu & Hokuriku
Post-town trails, thatched mountain villages, and the Hokuriku coast — central Japan, best taken at walking pace. That covers the Nakasendo between Magome and Tsumago, the farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, and the old streets still standing in Takayama, Kanazawa, and Matsumoto.
Nozawa Onsen's 13 Public Baths: A Snow-View Soak That Needs No Reservation
Thirteen bathhouses run by the village itself, open from 6:00 in winter, with no booking and no ticket desk. Here is what the Japanese-only signage actually asks of you.
Nakasendo Trail: A Practical Guide to Walking Magome to Tsumago
Walk the Edo-era Nakasendo Trail from Magome to Tsumago — exact route, transport, luggage forwarding, and post-town tips for an easy 8 km half-day hike.
Matsumoto Castle: A Complete Guide to Japan's Most Authentic Feudal Fortress
Matsumoto's original 16th-century castle, the craft sake scene, and how to use the city as your gateway to the Japanese Alps — a practical travel guide.
Takayama Japan: The Complete Guide to Hida's Preserved Old Town
A complete guide to Takayama, Japan: preserved Edo-era streets, daily morning markets, sake breweries, Hida beef, plus itineraries and how to get there from Tokyo or Nagoya.
