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The Chubu region in central Honshu faces both the
Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. The climate varies greatly
according to the area: while the Sea of Japan side is famous for
heavy snowfall, the Pacific side generally enjoys a mild climate
throughout the year. Some towns, located on plateaux, are very
popular as summer retreats due to their cool climate. The Japan
Alps, which has several lofty mountains and is thus called the Roof
of Japan, extends from north to south in the Chubu region.
The Chubu region has some of Japan's longest rivers and one of the
largest rice-producing areas, located along the Sea of Japan. It has
3 industrial areas: the Chukyo Industrial Zone, which is home to the
main facility of Toyota Motors; the Tokai Industrial Region, where
Yamaha is based; and the Hokuriku Industrial Region. In addition to
rice, agricultural products include tea, mandarin oranges,
strawberries, grapes, peaches, and apples.
The most famous landmark of this largely mountainous region is Mount
Fuji. It is Japan's highest (3,776 meters, or 12,388 feet) and most
highly regarded mountain, considered sacred by some Japanese. Its
conical form has inspired generations of artists and is world
renowned as a symbol of Japan. During the climbing season, from July
1 to August 31, it is crowded with climbers. Other sightseeing spots
in the Chubu region are the Izu Peninsula in shizuoka Prefecture,
which has a subtropical climate, many beautiful beaches and a great
number of hot springs; and Zenkoji in Nagano Prefecture, a
well-known temple that attracts a large number of visitors from
allover the country.
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Japan
Regions