Koshinetsu/Hokuriku area (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, fruit picking)

Okutadami is located on the border between Niigata and Fukushima prefectures and is a man-made lake that boasts one of the largest water storage volumes in Japan. It is surrounded by picturesque natural beauty and offers a variety of seasonal attractions.
You can experience the majestic nature of the area in any season: the fresh greenery of spring, the coolness of summer, the colorful leaves of autumn, the snowy scenery of winter, etc. You can also enjoy a variety of activities, such as lake Cruise, fishing, and camping.
There are plenty of tourist spots in the area, such as the historic Ginzan-daira and a facility where you can learn about dam structures. You can also access Oze National Park from Okutadami.

Kiyotsu Gorge is one of Japan's most scenic spots, made up of majestic reefs and clear streams. It was designated a national park in Sep. 1949, and is counted as one of Japan's three major gorges, along with Kurobe Gorge and Osugidani, due to the beauty of its majestic diorite porphyrite and columnar joints. The huge cliffs that rise up on either side of the Kiyotsu River create a V-shaped gorge, and the majestic columnar jointed rock surface and emerald-green clear stream leave a deep impression on visitors.

The Naeba Dragondola is the longest gondola in Japan (approximately 5.5 km long), connecting the Naeba Plateau and the Tashiro Plateau. You can enjoy an aerial walk that matches the undulating terrain of the mountain, passing directly above the Kiyotsu River and overlooking the lake and valley from high up. There is a 400m difference in elevation between the summit and the base of the mountain, and the types of trees are different. The best time to see the autumn leaves is from early Oct. to early Nov.. Starting from the summit, the colors change in a gradation towards the base of the mountain. During the autumn leaves season, it gets crowded even on weekdays, so we recommend that you plan your trip with plenty of time.

Zenkoji Temple has a history of approximately 1,400 years and is widely loved by people as a non-sectarian temple that does not belong to any particular sect.
The principal image of the temple, the "Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai Statue," enshrined in the main hall, has been an absolute secret Buddha since 654, and cannot be viewed directly. In its place, a "Zenkoji Zenritsu Honzon" was created during the Kamakura period. It is usually kept in the treasure house, but once every seven years, it can be welcomed into the temple and specially worshipped, and the "Zenkoji Zenritsu Honzon Gokaicho" was held from Sunday, Apr. 3rd to Wednesday, Jun. 26th, 2022.
When the current main hall was built (1707), the Matsushiro domain served as the Fudai magistrate, and so an "Ekobashira" (pillar of devotion) was donated and erected in front of the main hall. The pillar is tied to the middle finger of the right hand of the "Zen no Tsunae" (principal image of Buddha) with the "Zen no Tsunae" (tie of goodness), and conveys the mercy of the "Buddha" to those who touch the pillar.
Why not take this rare opportunity to experience a blessed connection with Buddha by visiting Zenkoji Temple?
*It may not be possible to touch the ekobashira pillars when they are crowded.

Matsukawa Valley in Takayama Village is one of the most famous V-shaped valleys in Japan, and is famous as a spot to see autumn leaves. You can enjoy the colorful autumn foliage, such as the view of the steep rocks covered with colorful maples, the gradation of the mountain ranges, and the colors along the valley.

The castle tower is thought to have been built in Bunroku 2-3 (1593-4), and is the oldest surviving five-story, six-story castle tower in Japan. The walls of the five-story, six-story castle tower, designated a national treasure, are lacquered in black and white, and the beautiful contrast of the castle tower reflected in the water moat is magnificent. At the management office just past the imposing black gate, you can receive a rare goshuin (castle seal) as a memento of your visit to the castle.

Shosenkyo Gorge is a scenic spot in Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, with clear streams and a variety of strangely shaped rocks and stones. There are many sights to see, such as the 180m-high giant rock "Kakuenbo", the 30m-high "Senga Falls", and the "Sekimon" natural arch-like "Sekimon", and you can enjoy a stroll along the promenade along the stream. The scenery changes with the seasons, and the best time to see the autumn leaves is from mid-Oct. to late Nov., when the colorful trees turn brilliant red, yellow and orange. If you want to enjoy even more spectacular views, take an aerial stroll to the top of Mt. Yasaburo on the Shosenkyo Gorge Ropeway. You will be greeted by magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps.

In the eastern part of the Kofu Basin (the Kyoto region of Yamanashi City, Fuefuki City, and Koshu City), beautiful vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, from flat land to steep slopes. Katsunuma in Koshu City has a particularly long history of grape cultivation, dating back to Nara period, and is considered the birthplace of the indigenous Japanese grape variety "Koshu," which is the raw material for Koshu wine (white wine).
The sericulture industry, which flourished during the Meiji period, shifted to the wine industry due to the government's policy of promoting industry and commerce. Katsunuma was the first region in Japan to open a wine brewery. Rice paddies and mulberry fields were transformed into vineyards, and grape wine, which farmers made as a casual drink, eventually led to full-scale winemaking by brewers. Today, the Kyoto region boasts the largest number of wineries in Japan, with over 60. The landscape of vineyards that has been created over the years is being passed down to the future, supported by the accumulated history of grape cultivation and the passion of brewers who are passionate about winemaking.

This spring-fed pond is fed by the abundant underground waters of Mt. Fuji. It has been recognized as one of the constituent assets of the World Heritage site of Mt. Fuji, and was also a pilgrimage site for Fuji worshippers. The highly transparent spring-fed pond, which allows you to see deep into, is mysterious.

Located in the center of Kanazawa City, this tourist spot conveys the history and culture of the "Kaga Domain, home to a million koku of rice." This daimyo garden was built by Tsunanori, the fifth head of the Maeda clan, as an annex to Kanazawa Castle, and is one of Japan's three most famous gardens, designated as a special national scenic spot. In spring, the winding stream and rows of cherry trees in full bloom on both banks as seen from Hanamibashi Bridge are magnificent. In autumn, Yamazakiyama near Kodatsunoguchi on the north side is famous as a spot for viewing autumn leaves, and you can encounter solemn, dignified scenery. In winter, as snow piles up, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow hangings that Image the image of gold leaf.

Kanazawa Castle is a symbol of Kanazawa and is loved by the people of the prefecture. It was built by Sakuma Morimasa in 1580 on the site of Oyama Gobo, which was built in 1546. The castle walls are characterized by a design that emphasizes horizontal lines. At the castle's main entrance, Ote, there is a huge stone called Kagamiishi, which is taller than a person, and was used to demonstrate the clan's technological prowess. The Tsurumaru Warehouse within the castle is also designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. In summer, autumn, and winter, a limited-time "Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden Light-up Event" is held, so you can enjoy a fantastic night stroll.

It is a cliff stretching about 1 km and made up of huge columnar rocks, and is designated as a national natural monument. It is said that there are only three places in the world, including Tojinbo, where the geologically rare rock formations called "pyroxene andesite columnar joints (columnar cracks in the rock body)" are found. The "Tojinbo Sightseeing Cruise Boat" takes you around for about 30 minutes, and allows you to look up at the sheer cliffs of Tojinbo, which are over 25 meters high, from the sea. At the nearby "Tojinbo Shopping Street," you can enjoy eating a variety of seafood such as squid, scallops, and turban shells.

This beach is visited by beachgoers from inside and outside the prefecture. It is said to be "Japan's No. 1 paradise beach" due to its fine, sparkling white sand, and has been selected as one of the "55 best swimming spots in Japan." People who enjoy marine sports such as windsurfing arrive early in the morning, and in the summer, it can attract as many as 20,000 people a day. The beach season is from mid-Jul. to late Aug., and five beach huts are open. There are also 10 changing rooms and showers, so you can rest assured. With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, it is also attractive that it can be enjoyed as a day trip from Tokyo or Osaka.