Chūbu is one of my favourite parts of Japan. I’m an outdoors guy and there’s just so much to do here.

It’s that band of land across the centre of the main island Honshū, more or less between Nagoya and Tōkyō and over to the Sea of Japan, that could keep you busy for a long time, especially if you’re into the outdoors.

Some of Japan’s best winter sports action is to be enjoyed at resorts like Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen.

Likewise, there’s top hiking around Kamikōchi, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and historical walking on the Nakasendō walk.

There’s history and culture on offer at Zenkō-ji temple in Nagano City, at the impressive castle and Nakamachi district in Matsumoto, in the old town in Takayama, at the famous Kenrokuen garden and samurai district in Kanazawa and at traditional farmhouses in Shirakawa-go.