Chūbu Region | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

Hiking Togakushi Shrine: The 5 Shrines and Iconic Cedar Path

January 11, 2026 / Chūbu Region, Hidden Gems, Nagano Prefecture, Temples & Shrines, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Deep in the forested highlands of Nagano, Togakushi Shrine (Togakushi Jinja, 戸隠神社) is a sacred destination where ancient Japanese mythology meets breathtaking natural beauty. Comprising five distinct shrines, Hokosha, Hinomikosha, Chusha, Kuzuryusha, and Okusha, this spiritual complex is legendary for its association with the “Amano-Iwato” myth, where the sun goddess Amaterasu was lured from a […]

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The Best Guide to the Must-Visit Churches in Karuizawa

December 27, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, The Must-Visit Churches in Japan

Discover the serene beauty and architectural wonder of the must-visit churches in Karuizawa, Japan’s premier highland retreat. From the iconic wooden craftsmanship of Karuizawa Kogen Church to the breathtaking stone-and-glass artistry of the Stone Church, these spiritual landmarks offer a peaceful escape into the heart of Nagano Prefecture. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a

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Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park and the Hot Spring Monkeys

December 21, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Hidden Gems, Nagano Prefecture, Onsen/Hot Spring

The Snow Monkey Park, or Jigokudani Yaen Kōen (地獄谷野猿公苑), formally in Japanese, is the world’s only wild monkey onsen resort. The park, nestled in the snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, was established in 1964. It offers an unforgettable glimpse into the unique lives of the Japanese hot spring monkeys. This world-famous attraction is the

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The Ultimate Guide to Getting to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

December 21, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, Transportation in Japan

Ready to see the famous Japanese monkeys in hot springs? While the stunning scenery of the Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park is world-famous, its remote mountain location in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, can make the journey feel complicated. This guide will break down exactly how to get to the Snow Monkey Park from major hubs like Tokyo

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Zenko-ji Nakamisedori Street Nagano Japan

The Best Guide to Nakamise Street’s Top Zenkōji Specialties

December 19, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture

Nakamise-dōri Street (仲見世通り) in front of Zenkoji Temple, between the Niōmon Gate and Sanmon Gate. Amongst the many shops and restaurants lined up on the sides of the street, it shouldn’t be a surprise that many tourists would have a hard time deciding which shops to visit. So read on for our recommended shops and

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Rokumon: The Sightseeing Train Connecting Karuizawa & Nagano

January 2, 2026 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, Transportation in Japan

You might already be aware that to the Japanese, trains are sometimes more than just vehicles that carry you from A to B. Unlike most countries in the world, Japan’s Sightseeing Trains don’t just run between the tourist attractions in the rural areas. They operate on normal train tracks between cities and prefectures, and compared

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Hida Furukawa and the Famous Anime Movie, Your Name

January 7, 2026 / Anime Pilgrimage, Chūbu Region, Gifu Prefecture

Hida Furukawa (飛騨古川), a quaint, unassuming town, has become a lot more lively since Makoto Shinkai’s movie – Your Name (君の名は) hit the theater. The town serves as the inspiration behind many iconic scenes from the film! It can be accessed just two stations away from Hida Takayama City, a popular tourist destination in its

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Kobayashi Soba Matsumoto Vegan-Friendly Restaurant Nagano Japan

Kobayashi Soba: The Best Soba Noodle Restaurant in Matsumoto

October 18, 2025 / Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Spots

Soba noodles are one of the must-try dishes in Japan. But because most restaurants use sauce and broth made from bonito, vegans and vegetarians usually can’t enjoy the noodles when going into a random soba restaurant. So, if you are wondering where to eat in Matsumoto, ensure you stop by Kobayashi Soba (信州松本こばやし本店). It is

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The Best Guide to Kappa Bridge and the Nearby Facilities

October 18, 2025 / Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Nagano Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Kappa Bridge (河童橋) is the landmark of Kamikochi. The most important facilities in the area are located close to the bridge, including the Kamikochi Bus Terminal and visitor centers. This part of Kamikochi is almost like a transport hub that allows tourists to gain the necessary information to explore the area and rejuvenate. The suspension

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Hakusan Shirakawa-gō White Road Complete Guide

October 17, 2025 / Autumn Foliage, Chūbu Region, Gifu Prefecture, Hidden Gems, Hokuriku Region, Ishikawa Prefecture, Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan, Transportation in Japan, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

The World Heritage Shirakawa-gō is now a really popular tourist destination in Japan. Often, people visit this fairytale-like village by catching a bus or driving from Kanazawa. Many tourists take the normal highway. But unbeknownst to them (and us when we first visited Shirakawa-gō), there is also a really scenic toll road that goes through

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