Sea of Japan Coast

One of the least traveled areas of Japan it is often included with the “Chubu” region of Japan along with more famous areas like Mount Fuji (who could compare). While lacking in the spectacle of regions further south, this coastal region can offer a more traditional, relaxed Japanese experience for those willing to seek it out.
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The “Sea of Japan Coast” area of Japan compromises the 4 prefectures of Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui. On other sites these four areas are combined with the prefectures further south to make the Chubu region. As transport links in Japan are bias towards east-west and along the southern coast, the northern coast along the Sea of Japan is far less populated and a significant diversion for an travelers moving west. Using the Shinkansen Osaka can be reached in 2.5 hours from Tokyo, where as along a northern route it will take the best part of 7 hours, and that would skip most of the interesting places you might want to visit.

For newbies to Japan the Sea of Japan Coast doesn’t offer a great deal of excitement compared to the more southern routes. With limited time, trips to Hakone or one of the Mount Fuji 5 Lakes are more bang for your buck. However a properly planned trip via Matsumoto, up to Toyama and along the coast back down through Gifu prefecture can be a rewarding experience of rural Japan and something different to the usually zip along the south coast on the Shinkansen.