If you’re a lover of dramatic alpine scenery, you really need to make the trip out to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a path traversing the Northern Japan Alps in central Japan. The whole route is an impressive 90 kilometers, stretching from Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture to Shinano-Omachi station in neighboring Nagano Prefecture, climbing to an elevation of 3,015 meters as it crosses the peak of Mount Tateyama.

This spectacular route can be traversed via ropeways and cable cars, so children and those who are not avid hikers can also enjoy its incredible scenery. Each point where you change transportation has something to see and do, though the biggest stops along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route are Murodo, Daikanbo and Kurobe Dam.

Murodo

Walled in by snow.

The famed Snow Corridor starts in Murodo, the highest point of the route 2400m up on Mt Tateyama, accessible by the “Highland Bus” from Bijodaira Station. It’s a mere width of two vehicles carefully cut out from the meters-high snow deposited in a place that gets one of the heaviest snow-falls in the world. This part of the route is probably the most well-known and widely photographed, drawing in many foreign tourists and domestic travelers alike during peak season. In mid-April, the road is opened for visitors to walk between the sheer snow walls often towering up to 20 meters high.

Autumn Colors in Chubu

The only hotel on the whole route lies here, with the restaurant serving day-trippers affordable and well-portioned hot meals. From Murodo, you need to take the Tunnel Trolley Bus, powered by electricity generated from the Kurobe Dam to Daikanbo where the Tateyama Ropeway starts.

Daikanbo

Take the Tateyama Ropeway for some epic vistas.

At Daikanbo there are a few stalls selling souvenirs and snacks like onigiri (rice balls) and soft-serve ice cream to enjoy whilst taking in the view of the surrounding mountain peaks from the observation deck. From here, visitors need to hop on the Tateyama Ropeway to continue on the route to Kurobedaira. The 1.7 kilometer-long ropeway connects Daikanbo on Mount Tateyama to Kurobedaira on the neighboring mountain. With no supporting towers in between, this is Japan’s longest one-span ropeway.

The Tateyama Ropeway has panoramic views of the surrounding alpine scenery—tundra and snow-covered peaks in the spring, alpine flowers and teeming foliage in late summer, and colorful leaves in the fall. The trip is worth it just for this portion of the route.

Kurobe Dam

Dam! That’s big.

A five-minute cable car’s ride away from Kurobedaira soars the 186m high Kurobe Dam, the tallest in Japan to which visitors can come in extremely close proximity to. Explore the spectacular structure from viewing platforms carved out on the top and sides of this monster which discharges up to 15 tons of water per second from the Kurobe lake!

Apart from observing the dam from above, sightseeing cruises are offered on the lake in front from June to November, making it the highest altitude boat ride in the country. The dam is walkable and has a few shops selling hot food and souvenirs.

From the dam, you will need to cross to Akasawadake, the final mountain on this route, just a short walk away. The second Tunnel Trolley Bus runs from here to Ogizawa on the other side of the mountain, also the final stop on the route from which taxis and local buses that service the wider Nagano area pass through. A popular choice is to take a bus from Ogizawa to Shinano-Omachi Station, which has many convenient train lines and buses ready to bring you to your next destination.

It’s been a scary year, and everyone is looking for an escape. We asked our readers to vote for their top 10 travel destinations in Japan for 2021 (once travel is safe again), and these are their picks.

Each destination highlights an escape from busy tourist spots and everyday life for a chance to reflect and get back in touch with nature or even discover the heart of communities in rural and small-town Japan.

If you’re traveling to one of these destinations, we want to hear about it. Tag us on social media with #GaijinPotTravel.

The Kansai region is seven prefectures: Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga. Depending on the region’s location, the peak times for Koyo will be slightly different, but most leaves will change throughout November. Many popular tourist spots have a special nighttime illumination, which will enhance the koyo experience. They’re highly worth seeing despite the crowds—especially in Kyoto.

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Japan’s southernmost main island, Kyushu, is one of its most diverse regions. Sunny, tropical vibes radiate across high-rise urban landscapes, emerald rice paddies, and even a fiery, active volcano in the middle of the sea, making it difficult to picture this kaleidoscopic landscape cloaked in the cooler temperatures of fall.

Don’t worry, though, autumn in Kyushu is the real deal, and it’s equally as spectacular as the more well-known northern areas. Leaves here are among the last to fall across the country, which means there’s plenty of time to plan a trip to hit every one of these breathtaking spots. Challenge accepted.

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It’s a journey in itself to get to the remote and rugged northern region of Tohoku, but the quest is full of rewards in the form of atmospheric hot spring resorts, samurai villages, and sky-high temples to name a few.

The region’s prefectures of Akita, Aomori, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi, and Fukushima together make up one-fifth of Japan’s total area—one that’s blanketed in a swathe of yellows, burnt oranges, and deep reds from mid-October to mid-November. Since the koyo (autumn leaves) arrived late this year, there are still chances to experience some of Tohoku’s stunning seasonal beauty.

Seek and ye shall find.

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Packed full of hillside landscapes, mountainous terrains, and quiet castle towns, the Chubu region throws visitors right into the heart of Japan’s natural landscapes. This central area of the country is often overlooked by travelers jetting from Tokyo to Osaka on the shinkansen, but that whir of green you see through the train windows is ripe for exploration.

Nine prefectures comprise the Chubu region, including Yamanashi, Aichi, Shizuoka, Gifu, Nagano, Niigata, Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama. From the Northern Japan Alps stretching across Toyama and Nagano to the valiant Mount Fuji in Yamanashi, a trip to Chubu will leave you in awe.

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Chugoku is one of the most culturally rich regions of Japan. Almost every iconic aspect of Japanese culture has an embodiment here, from the country’s oldest and most sacred shrine, the Izumo Taisha, to the colorful manga kingdom of Sakaiminato in Tottori to the sobering A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima. One-of-a-kind destinations, too, include an island reigned by rabbits and majestic ever-changing sand dunes which prove that there’s so much more to Japan than you might expect.

Five prefectures, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Shimane, Tottori, and Okayama, make up Chugoku. Here’s our pick of some of the top spots to experience the region in all its autumnal glory.

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This northernmost region of Japan is known for heavy snowfall during the winter which attracts skiers and snowboarders every year. Though popular in winter, Hokkaido’s vast wilderness comes alive in autumn with countless national parks perfect for hiking and camping—aka quintessential autumn activities.

Hokkaido is the only prefecture in Japan that has its own region all to itself due to the wide landmass it covers. The prefecture has some of the earliest changing leaves in Japan with peak times ranging from mid-September to early November.

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The smallest of Japan’s four islands, Shikoku is a true hidden gem of history and spirituality. What it lacks in size it makes up for in sweeping mountains and valleys, rugged coastlines, and secluded traditional towns straight out of anime.

In fact, Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture was the inspiration behind the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away while Pom Poko, also from Ghibli, portrays the island as the home of its mythical tanuki (raccoon) heroes.

It’s no surprise then that Shikoku is ripe for Koyo (autumn-leaves) viewing adventures, especially of the off-the-beaten-track kind. There are four prefectures in Shikoku: Tokushima, Kochi, Kagawa, and Ehime. Below is a pick of just some of the best spots where you’ll be able to experience Japanese autumn in full technicolor.

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Shrouded in the valleys of northern Akita, the town of Fujisato is a gateway to one of Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Shirakami Sanchi. This charming town is famous for its diverse hiking trails, fishing spots, Suffolk lamb, and enchanting waterfalls. It’s the perfect spot to mark on a Tohoku road trip! 

Shirakami Sanchi

An anime-inspiring forest adventure awaits.

Just near the town center, the Shirakami Sanchi World Heritage Conservation Center Fujisato Kan (Map) is a great starting point if you’re considering a day of hiking in Fujisato’s prestigious woods. You can learn more about the forest’s history and ecosystem through maps, pictures, and English descriptions. 

Shirakami Sanchi’s ancient forest partly inspired one of Studio Ghibli’s most famous films, Princess Mononoke.  

As the largest remaining beech tree forest in East Asia, Shirakami Sanchi was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 after locals protested a planned road that would cut through its woods. Today, much of the forest is protected and inaccessible. Luckily, a few trails in Fujisato wrap around the restricted zone, and any nature lover worth their salt would be remiss to pass them up.

For the anime fans, Shirakami Sanchi’s ancient forest partly inspired one of Studio Ghibli’s most famous films, Princess Mononoke.  

Morinoeki farmer’s market

Photo by: Akita Shirakami Tourism Bring on the lamb!

When you get hungry after hiking, drop in at Morinoeki (Map) right next door to Fujisato Kan. It’s a cute farmers market and restaurant where you can buy locally harvested vegetables and handmade wooden crafts. You can also taste Fujisato’s local cuisine, such as lamb don (rice bowl).

5 Famous Foods You'll Find in Akita

If you really want to get rustic, try catching your own dinner. At the Fujisato tourist information desk, located inside Morinoeki, you can buy fishing permits and find information on local fishing spots and other attractions.

Choshi Falls

Photo by: Tri Phan Take a look behind Choshi Falls for a unique view.

Don’t leave Fujisato, without seeing Choshi Falls (Map). This magical waterfall is hidden away behind the small, 400-year-old Yu no Sawa Shrine. Located near Fujisato Kan and Morinoeki, Choshi Falls only takes about ten minutes on foot to the trailhead, and from there, a quick three-minute flat walk.

Water plunges into a natural, mossy grotto and echoes off the cavernous walls. On sunny days, the light seeps in through the opening above and leaves the water sparkling. Visitors can even go around the basin and view the waterfall from behind. Looking up, sheets of water slide off the rocky shelf 18 meters above your head.