GEOGRAPHY OF THE CHUBU REGION
Home to 21.2 million people as the fourth largest region in Japan it has an area of 25,783 square miles. Chubu is made up of three districts; Hokuriku, next to the sea of Japan, Tosan, and the Tokai district, which is next to the Pacific Ocean. The Chubu region has steep mountains and abundant rivers.
The states that comprise Chubu are Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Tamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, and Shizuoka. Very Mountainous, with many rivers that flow through the reigon. The region of Chubu is home to the Japanese Alps where they are taller than 10,000 feet. Only Mt. Fuji is taller then the Alps in Japan, standing over 12,388 feet tall.
The climate of Chubu is varies because of the enormous size of the district, it stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Japan Sea on the other side. Hokuriku region has snowy winters with humid summers while the fall and spring are mild. The Central Highlands have frigid winters and snowy summers, though the valleys have warmer and sunnier climate.
Sado island. The only place still remaining on Earth that uses a tarai bune or “tub boat’. They are used for there convenience for being able to navigate well along the shore line to collect seaweed (barrel shaped). Vacation spot where there are pleasant summers. Rice grows in the region.
Kenroken Garden. Considered one of the three best gardens in Japan the Kenrokuen Garden is filled with waterfalls, flowers, ponds, trees, and more covering 25 acres. Kenrokuen means “Garden of the Six Sublimities” referring to the Chinese theory that makes up a perfect garden; seclusion, artificially, spaciousness, antiquity, abundant water and broad views.
Koshin’etsu– known as Snow Country, has some of the heaviest snowfall in the world. Known as Snow Country, has some of the heaviest snowfall in the world. Nagano, and Niigata, a major port city (population/location), are main towns in this region.
Mt Fuji: A dormant volcano that erupted last in 1708. Surrounded by five lakes: Lake Yamanka, Lake Sai, Lake Motosu, Lake Shoji, Lake Kawaguchi. An annual race is held at Mt. Fuji every year. To climb mount Fuji it usually takes four to eight hours walking.
Nagoya: Birth place of Pachinko. Has a population of 2.1 million people.
Hot springs: Gero Onsen- Considered one of the Three Famous Springs. Founded in the Engi Era.
Nozawa Onsen is a village that has narrow and winding streets. The population is less than 5,000 but sees thousands of tourists every year. There are old style bath houses called sotoyu which are steamy baths.
Rivers (some of the longest): The chubu region has many rivers that cities use for hydroelectric power. The Tenryu-gawa and Kiso-gawa flow into the Pacific, but the Shinanogawa is the longest river in Japan at 370 km and drains into the Niigata basin on the Japan Sea. These rivers are the main rivers used for hydroelectric power.
CULTURE OF THE CHUBU REGION
History and historic landmarks:
The Battle Of Sekigahara, also known as the Realm Divide, occurred on October 21, 1600 in Sekigahara. This is a famous battle that helped usher in the Tokugawa Shogunate. [Wikipedia] Featured or referenced in anime (Samurai Deeper Kyo), manga (Azumi), film (Sengoku jieitai 1549), and video games (Shogun: Total War, Kessen, Samurai Warriors 2). [Wikipedia]
Nagoya Castle. Originally built in 1525, rebuilt in 1612 as a residence for Yoshinao. Historically located in an important town that linked Kyoto and Edo, two historic capitals. [Wikipedia, Chubu Wide-area Tourism Portal Site, http://www.kandou10.jp/en/area/area10.html]. On top are two golden tiger-headed fish, a talisman use for fire prevention. It was burnt down in 1945 during World War II and was rebuilt in 1959
Nagano Zenkoji Temple. A Buddhist temple. From the original city, Nagano city was actually built around the temple. Served as base of operations during 16th century battles.
Food: Hotaruika – firefly squid. The firefly squid can cause its whole body to light up to attract a made [wikipedia]. They are gathered from the bay of Wakasa. They are generally dipped in boiling water and then eaten with a mixture of vinegar and miso (soy bean paste). Tempura shrimp are popular, especially in Nagoya. Tempura is a method of battering and frying food. Rice and Sake are also produced heavily in the Chubu region. The Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for its green tea. Green tea is so popular in Japan as a while it is often simply referred to as tea [Wikipedia]. Mandarin oranges are also grown in the Aichi Prefecture [town.mihama.aichi.jp]
Crafts:
Washi: The Echizen district is where a product called Echizen washi is created. It is a very high quality handmade paper. It is made with fibers from kozo and mitsumata plants and is very durable. It is suggested that it can last up to 1,000 years. [web-japan.org] The Echizen district is where the most hand-made paper is shipped from in all Japan.
Festivals:
The Onbashira Festival. Held every six years (2010) and consists of two parts that take place of a period of two months, the Yamadashi and Satobiki. Yamadashi begins in April. In a part of this festival called Kiotoshi, 60-foot long tree trucks are cut out of the forest and are rode down a steep 30-40 degree slope [web-japan.org] where they rest until the Satobiki begins. In Satobiki, which begins in may, the huge tree trunks are hauled by hand 6 miles to a special site where shrine buildings will be erected for the Tate Onbashira. Men sit on the trunks as they are raised into the air.
DAILY LIFE IN THE CHUBHU REGION
Chubu Production:
Toyama is known for firefly squid, trout sushi, and himi udon noodles.
Kurobe Dam – highest dam in Japan
Ishikawa is known for porcelain, fabric, oysters, and wagashi (Japanese candy). Produces the most gold leaf in Japan
Fukui is known for snow crab, soba noodles, and shrimp. Produces tesuki washi paper, and known for dinosaur fossil discoveries
Nagano is known for apples and Oyaki (locak style pies). Produces ski and snow equipment and known for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Gifu is known for Hida beef, wooden furniture, and oba miso (Mongolian leaves with miso and green onion). Known for producing paper lanterns
Shizuoka is known for tea, eel, strawberries, and wasabi. Produces motorcycles, pianos and melon
Aichi is known for powdered green tea, chikuwa (tube shaped processed fish) and shrimp crackers. Known for goldfish, orchids, and eel farming
Chubu’s major cities:
Nagoya: 4th largest city in Japan. Population 2.17 million. Located on the Pacific coast. One of Japan’s major ports. Home to largest building in Japan, JR towers. 64 stories. Toyota headquarters located outside Nagoya in the city of Toyota.
Port of Nagoya: Handles the largest volume of international cargo in Japan. Supplies the world with automobiles, machinery, and aerospace products.
Nagano: Known as the “roof of Japan”. Population 360,000. Located in the mountainous region northwest of Tokyo. Hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Niigata: Known as the “New Lagoon”. Population 560,000. Located north of Tokyo. Largest city on the Sea of Japan. Trades with Russia and North Korea
Shizuoka: Population 710,236. Located west of Tokyo. Largest hauls of tuna. Known for green tea.
Chubu transportation
Shinkansen: Most popular form of transportation to and from Nagoya.
Chubu Centrair Internation Airport is the largest airport in the region
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