Sightseeing Sightseeing Around the Area

The Kita Alps Bridge, measuring 150 meters in length and 70 meters in height, is a spectacular photo spot connecting Nakao Plateau in Shinhotaka Onsen with Nabedaira Park. The magnificent scenery of the Northern Alps, including Mt. Kasagatake, is truly breathtaking. Visitors can enjoy beautiful landscapes throughout the four seasons, from fresh greenery in summer to vibrant autumn foliage. It is also highly recommended as a scenic driving route.

A charming bear-themed park where visitors can be delighted by adorable bears skillfully catching and eating their food. The park is home to over 100 bears, including Asian black bears and bear cubs. Guests can even take commemorative photos with baby Asian black bears, making it a memorable stop during your trip.

Hirayu Otaki, with a drop of 64 meters and a width of 6 meters, is one of the three great waterfalls of Hida and has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. The waterfall displays beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons, and every February, the “Hirayu Otaki Ice Fall Festival” is held, featuring illuminated views of the frozen waterfall.

Hirayu no Mori is a renowned hot spring facility in Hirayu Onsen, featuring high-quality, 100% natural free-flowing spring water. In addition to its retro-style large public bath with an open, high ceiling, the atmospheric outdoor baths surrounded by rich natural scenery are especially popular. There are seven baths for men and seven for women, each with varying levels of mineral cloudiness and temperature, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings at their leisure.

Mount Norikura, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, is located at the southern end of the Northern Alps (Hida Mountain Range) and is a prominent peak of the Chubu region. Centered around its highest point, Kengamine (3,026 m), it consists of 23 peaks, seven lakes, and eight plateaus. The mountain offers a wide variety of hiking courses suitable for both beginners and experienced climbers. Visitors can also enjoy alpine flower trails, sunrise viewing, and stargazing, making it an ideal destination to experience nature. From Mount Norikura, breathtaking views of Mount Yari and the Hotaka Mountain Range unfold above the clouds.

Kamikochi is one of Japan’s most celebrated mountain scenic destinations, welcoming approximately 1.2 million visitors annually. Situated at an elevation of 1,500 meters, it is surrounded by renowned peaks such as the Hotaka Mountain Range and Mount Yake. Its carefully preserved natural environment offers a unique beauty found nowhere else. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks along trails overlooking the Northern Alps, the crystal-clear Azusa River, and scenic spots such as the mystical Myojin Pond and Taisho Pond. Even those who are not avid outdoor enthusiasts can fully appreciate the breathtaking views and relaxing mountain resort atmosphere.

The Hida Great Limestone Cave is a natural wonder formed over approximately 250 million years. Located at an elevation of 900 meters—the highest among tourist limestone caves in Japan—it stretches about 800 meters in total length and is one of the country’s most impressive large-scale caves. The average temperature inside the cave remains around 12°C throughout the year, making it a popular summer retreat. From early January to early March, visitors can also enjoy the “Ice Valley,” created by the region’s severe winter cold.

“Hida Space Science Museum KamiokaLab” is a place where you can experience astrophysics. It is located in Kamioka, Hida City, where research centers for exploring the mysteries of the universe and elementary particles are gathered, including “Super-Kamiokande,” which brought about the Nobel Prize in Physics for its research on “neutrinos.” This is a spot where you can experience the mysterious properties of elementary particles through powerful images and games, and learn while having fun.