Chubu

Chubu is a geographical region of Japan located in the central part of Honshu, the main island. The name, meaning central region, reflects its position between the Kantō region to the east and Kansai to the west. It stretches from the Sea of Japan in the north to the Pacific Ocean in the south and contains diverse landscapes, including parts of the Japanese Alps, highlands, and coastal plains. The region is home to several major urban and industrial centers, the largest of which is Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture.

Chubu has varied climate and terrain: heavy snowfall along the Sea of Japan coast, hot summers in the plains, and mountainous areas with numerous hot springs and scenic views.

Nine prefectures are commonly counted in Chubu: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi.

Economically, the region is important for manufacturing and industry, notably the automotive sector centered in Aichi with Toyota's major plants, and for precision engineering and steel. The region also produces rice, fruit, and sake, and has a rich cultural heritage with crafts such as Kutani porcelain in Ishikawa and Mino washi paper in Gifu.

Tourist destinations include Shirakawa-go in Gifu, Kanazawa's Kenrokuen Garden, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and views of Mount Fuji near Shizuoka and Yamanashi. Transport connections include the Tokaido Shinkansen, Chubu Centrair International Airport near Nagoya, and regional airports.