Must-Sees in Northern Japan: Nikko, the Alps, Hokkaido & More

Japan is brimming with treasures, and they are sometimes more discreet in the north of the country, where the Japanese Alps, Hokkaido, Nikko and Tohoku reveal a wealth of stunning landscapes. Discover their wonders!

Nikko, nestled among forests of pine and cedar, is experienced as a moment of calm. The air is pure and the atmosphere peaceful, for it sits at the foot of the mountain, at an altitude of 600 metres. Nikko's beauty is shared between its majestic, perfectly preserved temples and shrines and its natural wonders: waterfalls, a lake, forests and dormant volcanoes, giving rise to a pleasant cultural life of hiking trails, bathing in the onsen and cuisine typical of the region.

In autumn, Nikko reveals its russet foliage and misty forests; in summer, the altitude offers hikers a little fresh air; and in every season you can bathe in the natural hot springs. Set within a national park, Nikko lets you switch off, break away from the urban madness of the big cities and truly take the time to admire beauties listed as UNESCO World Heritage. And, above all, to plunge into a past of great cultural significance.

It is particularly known for its sacred sites, its esoteric shrines and mausoleums, the famous Lake Chuzenji – the highest in Japan – the Kegon Falls, the Takinoo shrine and the famous sacred Shinkyo bridge, home to relaxing onsen!

In the heart of the Japanese Alps, this forested valley along the River Azusa offers its visitors a true natural paradise. On one side you see Mount Hotaka, rising to 3,000 metres, and on the other Mount Yake, a still-active volcano. The Kamikochi valley lies at the far west of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, a park straddling four prefectures. Travellers roam the high peaks and great valleys offering sublime panoramas, winding with clear-water rivers, willow forests and larch woods.

The Kamikochi valley is also the birthplace of mountaineering, introduced by an English missionary in the 18th century. It is also called the valley of wonders, so much do its high plateaus and uplands enchant while offering another face of Japan. The cool, dry climate draws visitors in summer, who come to enjoy the Azusa-gawa river and Lake Taisho. Another advantage of this valley: private vehicles are banned, which preserves the calm of the valley.

Capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa promises a complete change of scene. It is shared between Japanese castles and gardens, and between samurai residences and a geisha district. Authentic and preserved, it offers visitors wonders of architecture and of modern and traditional craftsmanship.

Governed by the daimyo lords and the Maeda family in the Edo period, the city grew up around the castle with impressive authenticity. A trip to Kanazawa is a chance to plunge into the world of the samurai, to stroll through the dazzling castle and its park, and among the architectural beauties of the fortresses. You can also visit the museums and a wonderful market. Among the must-sees of a trip to Kanazawa are the famous Kenrokuen gardens, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Nagamachi – the samurai district – Higashi Chaya – the old geisha district – and Oyama-jinja – the shrine dedicated to Toshiie Maeda.

Located along the route of the Nakasendo, Tsumago and Magome are two old towns on the road that once linked Tokyo to Kyoto in feudal times. They have managed to preserve the charm, culture and history of the feudal road. Slip into the shoes of a traveller of old along the Nakasendo road. It is one of the 25 most beautiful roads in Japan!

A stop at Tsumago and Magome is a chance to immerse yourself in culture, with local kabuki (Japanese theatre), the Tsukechi gorges, the castle ruins, the tea houses and the old shops. You would almost feel as though you had gone back 500 years. It is an opportunity to plunge into the region's rich landscapes by walking hiking trails dotted with rivers, waterfalls, cedar groves, rice fields and forests…

With its slightly Nordic feel, the island of Hokkaido preserves wild beauties, offering an unexpected face of Japan. Bordered by the Sea of Okhotsk, part of the population hunts and fishes, descendants of an ancient people who came from Russia. It is called the land of extremes, so much does its climate resemble that of Siberia, and its forests carpet three-quarters of the island, sharing a territory made up of volcanoes, calderas, hot springs and parks.

Hokkaido abounds with life. Along the coasts, the marine wildlife is rich, with whales, otters and seals. Inland, you come across deer, the red foxes of Hokkaido, the red squirrel, brown bears, the Ezo Fukuro (a subspecies of the Ural owl) and long-tailed tits. Hokkaido is an eden for nature lovers, for the sporty, and for hikers and cyclists.

On the island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is a festive, cheerful city that loves celebrations and good food. Known for its beer, its ramen, its seafood and its snow festival, Sapporo – the largest city in Hokkaido – is such a pleasure to visit. You weave your way between the wooden houses, the izakaya and the little eateries that give pride of place to freshly caught seafood. Before leaving it all behind to head for the snowy slopes or the bamboo forests.

Sapporo is Japan's fifth city; if you pass through before heading for the mountains and hot springs, enjoy its outpourings of joy, its flourishing cuisine and its nightlife!

Fancy discovering Japan through its must-sees as well as its secret gems? Japaventura is here to guide you through this fabulous country, full of mysteries and with a unique identity. We offer guided tours in small groups, through the essentials of Japan, or to encounter Japan in all its many facets! And if the East is your passion, opt for a tour combining a visit to Japan and Korea!