Covering nine prefectures in the center of the Japanese archipelago, Shoryudo is an ancient region steeped in culture and mystery. It gets its name – meaning “Land of the Soaring Dragon” – from the fact that the area is shaped like a flying dragon, and is made for tourists and tourists who want to discover the real Japan away from Tokyo.
Shoryudo is also the name of a tourist route that winds through each of these nine prefectures — that are Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, and Shiga — and is full of history, art, adventure, food, and relaxation. We’re excited to show you more of Shoryudo and we’ve picked just a few of our favorite attractions from across the region.
The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route, Toyama
This is one of the world’s best mountain rides, cutting through the dramatic Japanese Alps amidst peaks of 10,000 feet or more. For a short time between mid-April and late June, you can even traverse the Yukino Ootani, a passage carved through impossibly deep snow, with 20-meter gleaming white walls on either side.
Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa, Ishikawa
This is one of the most famous classical Japanese landscape gardens of the Edo period (1603-1867) and is considered one of the top three in history. Located in the lush heart of Kanazawa City, this garden is a magnificent masterpiece of unique Japanese art.
Tojinbo, Fukui
Tojinbo is a natural wonder of Shoryudo, a series of cliffs on the north coast near Sakai designated as a national monument. It is a geological marvel – rocks form natural hexagons along a craggy surface for a kilometer that has been slowly eroded over the ages by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan.
Jigokudani Yaenkoen, Nagano
This remote mountain valley is teeming with natural steam vents and hot springs that literally burst out of the ground. It is home to several groups of wild Japanese macaques – white-furred snow monkeys who love nothing more than to bathe in the refreshing natural pools that dot the valley. They don’t mind an audience – and you can get surprisingly close as they relax, unwind and kick back in the hot, bubbly waters.
Shirakawa-go, Gifu
A hidden village high in the Japanese Alps, Shirakawa-go has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beautiful landscapes and the unique thatched roofs of the historic farmhouses to protect the fragile silkworms from the mountain cold. These steep structures are called gassho zukurimeaning “built like praying hands” because they look like the hands of monks held together in prayer.
Mount Fuji, Shizuoka
This snow-capped volcano is the symbol of Japan. At 3,776 m, it is the nation’s highest peak and it stands alone, rising out of the landscape and dominating the skyline for miles. It is still revered as a sacred mountain and has enjoyed great popularity among artists, priests and the general public for centuries. These days it’s wonderful for hiking, photography, and a truly unique sense of serenity at the summit.
Nagoya Castle, Aichi
This fortress was built in 1609 by the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, to defend against the powerful Toyotomi clan and has been the seat of the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family ever since. It was selected as one of Japan’s top 100 castles, marked by the fine gold art of the inner Honmaru Palace.
Iga Ninja Museum, Mie
Hidden by impressive natural defenses, Iga is home to the ninja, those legendary warrior spies of the Middle Ages. The Iga Ninja Museum has the world’s largest collection of ninja artifacts, including weapons, tools and other strange contraptions, while the Ninja Yashiki, a relocated late Edo-period mansion, features modern-day ninja acrobatic tricks to fascinate guests .
Omi Hachiman, Shiga
A former trading town built around what was once a vital canal, Omi Hachiman is one of the most scenic spots in the whole country. As well as the authentically gorgeous 16th With 19th-century architecture that fills the city, it’s also been officially recognized for centuries as the site of one of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa, itself a Historic Beauty Site.
These attractions only give a taste of the wonders that can be found in Shoryudo. Hankyu Travel Europe’s friendly staff will be happy to provide you with more information about this cute little corner of Japan. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have!
