Chubu-Sangaku National Park/ Japan Alps

The Chubu-Sangaku National Park, in the center of Honshu, takes in the northern (Hida Mountains) and central regions of the mountains known as the "Japan Alps" and contains the highest peaks in Japan after Fujiyama. The Japan Alps are very similar to the Alps of Central Europe both in character of the landscape and in the abundance of snow in winter.

The mountains attract large numbers of walkers and climbers in summer and skiers in winter. The plant life is varied, differing in pattern with altitude. Ptarmigan and mountain antelopes are found at the higher altitudes.

The highest peaks in the National Park, from north to south, are Norikura (9,928ft/ 3,026m), the active volcano Yake (8,055ft/ 2,455m), Hotaka (10,466ft/ 3,190m