Toyama

Gokayama is one of Japan’s most enchanting hidden gems — a remote cluster of mountain villages in Toyama Prefecture where centuries-old thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses still stand. This complete guide covers Ainokura and Suganuma villages, how to get there from Kanazawa, Takayama or Tokyo, where to stay in a traditional farmhouse, what to eat, the best seasons to visit, festivals, photography tips and how Gokayama compares to better-known Shirakawa-go just down the road.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is Japan’s most dramatic mountain crossing, a 37-km journey through the Northern Alps using eight different forms of transport including a trolleybus, ropeway, and cable cars. From spring’s towering snow walls to summer wildflowers and autumn foliage, this complete guide covers everything first-time visitors need to know about tickets, timing, accommodation, and how to plan an unforgettable two-day adventure through one of Japan’s most beautiful mountain landscapes.