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The Japanese Alps are a series of mountain ranges — the Hida, Kiso and Akaishi — which run along the spine of central Honshu. Thick pine forests, snow-tipped peaks and teal rivers are what you’ll find here — on an initial glance this might look like Switzerland. On closer inspection you’ll find tiered-roof castles and gassho-zukuri-style farmhouses with their traditional steeply slanted roofs. Our specialists can suggest the best way to explore the region, drawing on their experiences exploring first-hand.

Only two hours from Tokyo, this is a retreat to escape the heat of the city in summer, when you can tackle some of the hiking trails that lace the mountains around Kamikochi, or simply glide up on a cable car from Tateyama. In winter, you can take to the slopes and try some of the 2018 Winter Olympic ski routes or relax in a steaming onsen surrounded by snow. The hub for the region is the town of Matsumoto, with an old merchants’ district that’s now full of teahouses, craft shops and museums.