Chubu-Sangaku NP_20080828_0688

The Chubu-Sangaku National Park, in the center of Honshu, takes in the northern (Hida Mountains) and central regions of the mountains known as the "Japan Alps" and contains the highest peaks in Japan after Fujiyama. The Japan Alps are very similar to the Alps of Central Europe both in character of the landscape and in the abundance of snow in winter.
The highest peaks in the National Park, from north to south, are Norikura (9,928ft/ 3,026m), the active volcano Yake (8,055ft/ 2,455m), Hotaka (10,466ft/ 3,190m), Yari (10,434ft/ 3,180m), Tateyama (9,892ft/ 3,015m) and Shirouma (9,623ft/ 2,933m). The many hot springs all over the park have led to the development of various spas and holiday resorts, the best known of which is Kamikochi (alt 4,920ft/ 1,500m). The River Kurobe flows through the mountains from south to north, and the construction of the Kurobe Dam has created a large lake which adds to the beauty of the scenery.