Hello Everyone! For those of you looking for one of the nicest places to drive and go camping in Western Japan, look no further. As some of you may know, my wife and I have driven just about every major road in Western Japan including all of Kyushu and Shikoku and we still love going everywhere and anywhere. We’ve also driven nearly every secondary back road and a handful of rocky dry creak beds to boot!
Naturally, when someone asks me where I recommend they should go next, I pause and ponder for quite a while and finally come up with a Top-5 or something.
Almost always at the top-5 of my list is a drive through Gifu Prefecture, either on Route 158 east of Fukui towards Takayama and on to Kamikochi, or up and down Route 156 through Shirakawa-go ( 白川郷 ) and on into Toyama Prefecture.
Both of these roads offer some of the most pristine natural surroundings available anywhere in Western Japan, and the area in general is especially suited to those who prefer mountainous landscapes to ocean vistas. Skiing is in abundance everywhere and doesn’t quite get the crowds that Nagano does. Route 158 east-west is quite a bit more serenely natural than R156 north-south, but the latter is very well suited to those in search of camping areas. The whole region within 60 kilometers or so north and south of Shirakawa-go is extremely well organized for campers, bikers, hikers and history buffs.
Whatever your passion, Gifu Prefecture is a must for everyone. You’ll see a very different element of Japan that is not soon forgotten!
Martin Werner Zander, Smith’s Partner
マーティン・ワーナー・ザンダー
Owner, Smith’s School of English Franchise in Kotoen
月謝制のスミス英会話 甲東園校 仁川 門戸厄神 逆瀬川
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