Nature and Historical
Get amongst nature and refresh the mind and body.
25 mins drive through Takayama, excellent facilities and cool night time activity for the family. Check website for observatory nights
40 mins drive beyond Numata, the 850 yr old Kashozan Ryugein Mirokogokokuzen temple boasts the largest Tengu mask in Japan. Beautiful in autumn.
40 mins drive beyond Minakami, this ropeway provides access to Tenjindaira skifield in winter or access to Mt Tanigawa for climbers and hikers in the green season. On a fine day the views are magnificent.
Very close to the Villa (3 mins drive), you can explore the ramparts of this old castle strategically located overlooking the Tone river . You can also visit the smaller Ogawa castle ruins 2.5km away
45 mins drive to Naeba. Japan’s longest ropeway at 5800m, the 25min ride connects the Naeba and Kagura skifields in winter, and outside ski season is a popular tourist attraction in its own right - especially in autumn.
70 min drive up to Katashina, this national park is famous for its spring wild flowers
45mins beyond Numata, the Niagara Falls of the Orient as described by the Numata Tourism Board is probably a little overblown but an interesting day trip all the same
40 mins drive beyond Minakami, Lake Fujiwara is a manmade lake to drive hydro-electricity. Spectacular on days when they release water from the dam, it’s always an area of natural beauty. Combine with a visit to Takaragawa onsen.
20 mins drive to Sarugakyo, you can rent boats and canoes to explore this lake as well as find the beautiful canyon where you can bungy jump. In Spring koi nobori are strung across the lake