Chubu

The Futami Okitama Shrine is located in the town of Futami in Ise City, Mie Prefecture. This is a famous shrine where women pray for a felicitous marriage, and where married couples pray for matrimonial happiness. The amulets and goshuin (shrine's seal stamped onto a notebook) are also popular. The custom from ancient times is to purify oneself at this Futami Okitama Shrine before going on to pray at the nearby Ise Grand Shrine.

Considered to be the most beautiful part of Kumano Kodo, the Magose-toge Pass is paved with gorgeous stones and lined with hinoki cypress trees. From the pass, there are additional climbing paths leading up to the Mount Tengura and Mount Binshi peaks, both commanding spectacular views from the top.

The Ise Grand Shrine in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, has been known as “Oise-san” from a long time ago, and surrounded by great spots such as Okage Yokocho and Oharai Machi. Visitors can enjoy Akafuku Mochi and lot of great sightseeing even after visiting the Shrine.

Matsumoto-toge Pass, part of the ancient pilgrimage route Kumano Kodo Iseji Route in Kumano, Mie Prefecture, offers a great hike even for novice mountaineers. Enjoy walking on the beautiful stone-paved pathways and bamboo forest, and be greeted by a life-size Jizo guardian statue at the mountain top.

The Chausuyama Plateau is located in the Chausuyama area in Toyone Village, Kitashitara District, Aichi Prefecture. The plateau is home to Aichi Prefecture’s only skiing area, and it attracts many visitors for skiing in winter. This isn’t the only season to visit the plateau, though - it offers attractions to enjoy all year round, such as the sight of the ground covered with shibazakura flowers (moss pink) in spring, outdoor activities such as camping and hiking in summer, and autumn foliage...

Handa Canal is considered one of Japan’s three best canals. From the Edo period, the canal exported goods such as sake and vinegar from Chita and cotton to Edo (present-day Tokyo). Even today, the area’s streets are lined with black-paneled breweries and scenery that helps you picture how Handa used to prosper as a base for distribution.

Inuyama Castle was initially constructed by Oda Nobuyasu, uncle of Oda Nobunaga, in 1537. As you gaze out from the castle tower, you’ll clearly be able to see that it is the northernmost part of the Nobi Plains - looking north, you can see the magnificent Kiso River and mountains, and looking south, you can see the expansive Nobi Plains. Inuyama Castle is the pride of Aichi. Its imposing castle tower is the oldest among Japan’s remaining castles.

Renowned for its gorgeous fall foliage, Korankei Valley attracts numerous visitors coming to marvel at the vibrant red and yellow leaves beautifully reflected on the Tomoe River. During the Korankei Valley Maple Festival in November, various events are held mostly on the weekends, including Japanese taiko drum performances, tea ceremonies, and music performances.

Minamichita Hot Spring Village is comprised of Utsumi, Yamami and Toyohama hot springs in the Ise Bay area in the southern end of the Chita Peninsula. The breathtaking sight of the sun setting over the Ise Bay and the airplanes landing at or taking off from Chubu Centrair International Airport are the pride of Minamichita Hot Springs. The chloride-rich hot spring waters containing sodium and calcium are said to be effective in alleviating fatigue and chronic skin inflammation.

A sure sign of the arrival of spring on the Atsumi Peninsula is the Canola Flower Festival held every year from the middle of January through March. During this period, yellow carpets of canola flowers appear in several locations around the peninsula. Particularly, the Irago canola flower garden that serves as the main venue is a must-visit as it offers various attractions such as the huge labyrinth of canola flowers and flower picking event.

The Fujinokuni Tea Museum is a rare prefectural museum dedicated to tea, located in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Founded on the Makinohara Plateau, the largest tea farming region in Japan, the museum introduces both Japanese tea and teas from around the world and also has a beautiful Japanese garden and a tea ceremony house. There are also restaurants and shops where you can enjoy menus using tea while gazing at the magnificent Mount Fuji, so take your time to look around and relax.

Hidden deep in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture, Sumata Gorge is a large valley around the Sumata River, a tributary flowing into the grand Oi River. One after another natural beauty delights visitors as they stroll on the walking pathway or cross the "Dream Suspension Bridge" above a stunning emerald green lake. The area offers various attractions including hiking, hot springs and nostalgic steam locomotives on the Oigawa Railway.