"Ten Thrilling Scenic Sites -Travel to Chubu中部*" is a catchphrase that expresses the attraction of Chubu, central Japan area, in ten themes of 「景」「花」「史」「跡」「博」「祭」「楽」「浴」「食」「産」.
Castles, Temples, and Shrines
Recalling History at Famous Castles and Temples
The Chubu region produced many military commanders, and many famous castles and sites of former castles known throughout Japan remain in the area even now. Also extant are numerous well-known temples and shrines with connections to these military commanders. Visiting them affords you the opportunity to encounter history.
Toyama Prefecture
Zuiryu-ji Temple
This great Soto sect temple is designated as a national treasure. It was founded as a family temple for Maeda Toshinaga and has an atmosphere of a great castle. The buildings such as the butsuden, houdou, and sanmon a...
Nagano Prefecture
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle is designated as a national treasure of architectural importance. It transmits the styles of the Momoyama period. It is also called Crow Castle because of the way the lacquer-black castle stands agai...
Nagano Prefecture
Zenkou-ji Temple
Zenkou-ji is an old temple which has been upholding the light of the law for 1,400 years since its founding. It is a sacred site dedicated to Ikko Sanzon Amida Nyorai (a triad of Amida Buddha) , as the object of worsh...
Toyama Prefecture
Toyama Castle Park
For 13 generations, Toyama Castle served as the flourishing headquarters of the Maeda clan. Now the grounds of the fortress are a huge public park with open lawns, a children’s playground, an art museum, and other fa...
Aichi Prefecture
Inuyama Castle (aka Hakutei Castle)
This castle's tower was built in its current location in 1537 and Oda Yojiro-Nobuyasu became the castle owner. After that, Naruse Hayato-Masanari became the castle owner (in 1617), and the castle is now owned by the N...