JAPAN: #CHUBUGOALS Sightseeing at Nation’s Mountainous Core

I got a multiple-entry visa four years ago and intended to use it for the first time by the next year. However, pandemic striked and all plans were cancelled. Still, I waited for restrictions to loosen until I got another promo fare this year! Thankfully, this is the time I’ve been waiting for to visit Japan once again. I’ve been to Tokyo, Kansai and Kanto Regions before so this time I sought to explore the heritage sites and nature spots within Chubu region, Japan’s mountainous core and central part of the archipelago.

Hence, my itinerary was helmed as #CHUBUGOALS after the Chūbu 中部 region (‘central part’), perfect to accomplish my different interests like riding a bus, see the original castles and marvel at Edo-period heritage sites. Scoring promo airfare,  then passing the complete requirements at Reli Tours Agency at Dusit Branch Makati, everything else followed. Presenting my Chubu Itinerary below:

Chūbu Region 中部地方 Highlights per Prefecture:

Aichi Prefecture 愛知県

NAGOYA 名古屋市 largest city in Central Japan

Nagoya Castle

Honmaru Palace

Nagoya City Hall

Aichi Prefecture Government Office

Nagoya City Archives and Museum

Hisaya Odori Park

Nagoya Tower (Sakae)

Oasis 21

Shikemichi

Endoji Shotengai Shopping Street

Midland Square

JR Central Towers

Nagoya Lucent Tower

Nagoya City Science Museum

Osu Kannon

Atsuta Jingu

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

INUYAMA 犬山市 Former castle town north of Nagoya with original hilltop castle

Nagoya Castle

Sankoinari Shrine

Haritsuna Shrine

Inuyama-jokamachi

Inuyama City Hall

Dondenkan

Horibe House

Inuyama Cultural History Museum

Karakuri Exhibition Museum

Nagano Prefecture 長野県

MATSUMOTO 松本市 City famous for its beautiful original castle

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto City Museum

Matsumoto Timepiece Museum

Nawate Shopping Street

Gamasamurai

Gifu Prefecture 岐阜県

TAKAYAMA高山市 Beautifully preserved old town

Sanmachi Historical Houses Preserved Area

Takayama Museum of History and Art

Takayama Municipal Government Memorial Hall

Hida Kokubunji Temple

Takayama Jinya

Takayama Festival Floats

SHIRAKAWA白川村 Village of beautiful farmhouses declared a UNESCO world heritage site

Shirakawago World Heritage Village

Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck

Wada House

Kanda House

Shirakawago Three Houses

Myozenji

Hachiman Shrine Shirakawa

Ogimachi Park

Ogimachi Suspension Bridge

Gassho-zukuri Minkaen

1ST DAY: MNL Departure and NGO Arrival

0740H FLIGHT

1250H JAPAN ARRIVAL. Transfer to Terminal 1 via free bus ride. Claim Pocket Wifi at Access Plaza 2F Terminal 1. Use Meitetsu Airport Access ticket for train ride from NGO airport to Nagoya Station by redeeming at Meitetsu Tourist Information Center.

1500H Arrival at Meitetsu-Nagoya Station.

Walk towards Meitetsu Bus Center. Show your Shoryudo Bus pass from phone and reserve for bus tickets:

May 25 Nagoya-Matsumoto ETD 0710H-1037H;

May 26 Shirakawago-Nagoya 1430H-1716H1900H Walk towards and check-in: nine hours Nagoya Station (ナインアワーズ名古屋駅) (2D1N) (Capsule Reserved via Booking.com)

Start Nagoya Tour: Nagoya Castle, City Hall, Aichi Prefecture Building, City Archives, Hisaya-Odori Park Nagoya Tower, Oasis 21

DINNER

Yabaton Misokatsu Waranji Meal in Sakae – 1900 yen

Train from Sakae to Nagoya Station – 210 yen

REST

2ND DAY: NAGOYA to MATSUMOTO to TAKAYAMA

BREAKFAST

0400H Wake-up call, wash up then check out. Walk towards Meitetsu Bus Center.

0700H Buy at konbini and eat at the bus.

0710H ETD Nagoya

1037H Arrival at Matsumoto bus terminal. Walk towards Matsumoto castle. Explore castle and its park. You can visit the Museum of Art and Timepiece Museum (optional).

Lunch at Matsumoto. Walk back to bus terminal

1305H ETD Matsumoto

1538H Arrival at Takayama. Reserve for May 26 Takayama-Shirakawago ETD 0750H-0840H

Check-in: Country Hotel Takayama (カントリーホテル高山) 2D1N. Located across the bus terminal. Roam around Takayama. Old town, old municipal hall, Takayama Museum of History and Art, etc.

1800H DINNER. Eat some Takayama ramen wherever there’s an open resto as some closes early.

Walk back to hotel and rest.

3RD DAY: Takayama to Shirakawago to Nagoya

0500H BREAKFAST then check-out. You can revisit the old town without tourists on early morning. Then walk back to bus station.

0750H ETD Takayama

0840H ETA Shirakawago. Go to Shiroyama Viewpoint by shuttle bus to viewpoint near Wada-Ke house (largest gassho-zukuri house). Check schedule at bus terminal. Other way is just walk like I did.

Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go’s largest village and main attraction. Kanda-ke House best preserved 400 yen (optional). Buy snacks such as mitarashi dango on shops within village. The famous three houses are located at few kilometers away from bus station (passing Hachiman shrine).

1200H Lunch. Or eat snacks near souvenir shops.

1430H ETD Shirakawago.

1716 Arrival at Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center. Walked towards Meitetsu Nagoya Station Service Center and bought Inuyama Castle Town Ticket with Round Trip Train Ticket to be used the next day. Then walk towards hostel. Check-in: Cafe & Guest House Nagonoya (喫茶、食堂、民宿。なごのや). You can explore Nagoya again or take DINNER, have some shopping at nearby DonKi. REST.

4TH DAY: Inuyama Sightseeing Tour then NGO departure

0500H BREAKFAST. Then morning walk towards Meitetsu Nagoya Station. You can pass by Shikemichi.

0700H ETD Meitetsu Nagoya NH36

0800H ETA Meitetsu Inuyama Station IY15. Walk towards Jokamachi (old town road leading to castle). Visit shrines before going to castle ticket counter to exchange voucher to entrance ticket.

0900H Roam around Inuyama Castle 9:00~17:00 (16:30 last entrance).

1000H ETD Inuyama-Yuen Station

1100H ETA Nagoya. Alighted at Meitetsu Nagoya Station to redeem ticket for NGO airport using Shoryudo Bus pass. Enter again Meitetsu Nagoya station to depart for NGO (Chubu Centrair) Airport

1146H ETA NGO Airport. Return the pocket wifi then walk towards Terminal 2. Check-in, Pass the immigration, Board. Last minute shopping.

1405H FLIGHT

1740H PH ARRIVAL Adjust clock back to PHT (GMT+8)

#CHUBUGOALS SIGHTSEEING TRIP

#Nagoya#Matsumoto#Takayama#Shirakawago#Inuyama

May 24-27, 2023 (Nagoya, Japan)

1¥ = ₱0.4096

Itinerary and Expenses (4D3N)

Airline: Cebu Pacific

Roundtrip Fare: ₱4538.04 MNL-NGO-MNL booked 13 Feb 2023 Php286 base fare RT (₱143 base fare sale per way)

*Visa used was applied Sept2019 and I got ME visa.

Travel tax: ₱1620

Transportation:

₱6178 – Shoryudo Highway Bus Pass Wide Area 5 days via KLOOK (original price JPY15000)

¥210 – Single journey ticket from Sakae Station to Nagoya Station via Higashiyama Line

Activities:

¥400 – Nagoya Castle Entrance ticket (original is ¥500 but discounted by showing Shoryudo Bus Pass)

¥700 – Matsumoto Castle Entrance ticket

¥1380 – Inuyama Castle Town Ticket with Round Trip Train Ticket from Meitetsu Nagoya to Inuyama Station

Accommodation via Booking.com:

¥2916 – nine hours Nagoya Station (1night) 1 dormitory bed

¥3978 – Country Hotel Takayama (1night) Single Room – Non-Smoking

¥2871 – Cafe & Guest House Nagonoya (1night) 1 dormitory bed

Pocket Wifi: ₱1157.3 – 4 days Japan Ninja WiFi booked via KLOOK

Travel Insurance good for 5 days: SafetyWing USD8.05≈₱451

D1: NGO Arrival, check-in and Nagoya afternoon tour (bought Single journey ticket from Sakae Station to Nagoya Station via Higashiyama Line)

D2: Nagoya to Matsumoto to Takayama (Shoryudo Bus Pass Day2)

D3: Takayama to Shirakawago to Nagoya (Shoryudo Bus Pass Day3)

D4: Inuyama Sightseeing Tour (Shoryudo Bus Pass Day4) then NGO departure

Shoryudo Bus Pass on entire stay in Japan. It saved us on purchasing individual bus and train tickets especially on long distance travels below:

Meitetsu NGO airport-Nagoya Station – ¥890 (train)

Nagoya-Matsumoto (reserved seat) – ¥3400

Matsumoto-Takayama (non-reserved) – ¥3500

Takayama-Shirakawago (reserved seat) – ¥2600

Shirakawago-Nagoya (reserved seat) – ¥3000

Meitetsu Nagoya Station-NGO airport (train) – ¥890

TOTAL EXPENSES (EXCLUDING FOOD AND SHOPPING): ₱19045.91

Notes:

1. Because of CebPac’s Promo fare booked last Feb13, even Php286 base fare I already grabbed it, just to use my 2019 ME visa…hehe

2. Be mindful of train etiquette. Keep quiet inside trains because there are some sleeping. Priority seating for seniors, buntis, with kids. When in escalators, normal is stand on LEFT and walk/run on RIGHT. Trains are very frequent, even the transfer is on the same platform oftentimes. Be aware on what train to ride (local, express, semi-express, limited express, rapid express, etc) and correct platform to get in your destination. Japan travel App and Google Maps are your reliable friends.

3. Meitetsu’s Shoryudo Bus Pass is a money-saver because it includes roundtrip train tickets from Chubu airport to Nagoya station. I first thought of JR pass but Matsumoto in Central Japan was exclused so I purchased bus pass pinurchase in Klook. You can maximize if you have 5 days within the area but I only have 4 days. Still, it’s a steal!

4. Staying at 7-11, Ministop, Family Mart and Lawson and bought snacks, meals not more than ¥500. The items in konbini have tax, so look on the price below. I usually buy 2L water beacuse it’s cheap then refill and I put in my hostel so I have drink in my room. Bumibili na rin ako snacks the night before since on the road me sa umaga. Sometimes, I eat in restaurants like Yabaton and Nagoya Meshi at Lucent Tower worth ¥1900 for misokatsu and kishimen ¥730. Though expensive, they’re delicious! Just knew that Nagoya is famous for other delicacies like cochin chicken, hitsumabushi, tebasaki chicken, and many more.

5. Highly recommended to visit Shirakawago on winter to see houses in white wonderland, as seen in brochures. Note that late May is still spring season so even without cherry blossoms, the temperature can drop 15 degrees Celsius or below so alwyas bring a jacket.

6. There is more to explore outside Nagoya! At first, I thought Nagoya was just a boring city overshadowed by Tokyo and Osaka since it’s on the center, but there are plenty of museums to visit and free things to do. You can do foodtrip! Purchase Meguru Bus Pass or Shoryudo Nagoya Subway & Bus 1 Day Pass if you will roam around Nagoya for the whole day. The travel brochures are very informative and there are discounts and freebies so visit the nearest tourist center like Meitetsu Information Center for maps and more. Since Chubu region is the scope of Shoryudo Bus Pass, I researched on places to visit using the pass. It became a combination of city, heritage and nature tours. Be prepared when entering original castles like Matsumoto and Inuyama because the stairs are steep. Rest when you have time. To each on his own so better customize yours so you can enjoy your Japan trip.

Survival apps: MAPS.ME, Japan Travel App by Navitime (for train routes) and Google Maps for Navigation. I use Google Maps often because it’s accurate especially the provided info of the tourist spot you want to visit. Recommended to stay a night at Takayama if town hopping between Matsumoto and Shirakawago.

Chubu region of Japan has UNESCO World Heritage sites like Shirakawago and Gokayama. You can take bus from Shirakawago to Gokayama but I don’t have enough time. If ever I can go back soon, I would like to roam more on other villages and visit other cities like Kanazawa and Toyama. To those who want to explore Chubu area, research first before purchasing any pass (Shoryudo Bus Pass or Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass), so it will be worth your money. With wide variety of options on transpo, accommodation, attractions, food and shopping, you can do it! Enjoy your Chubu trip!

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