The mountain ranges of the Japanese Alps are located on the main island of Honshu. These ranges include the Hida Mountains, the Kiso Mountains and the Akaishi Mountains with several peaks exceeding 3,000m in height, the tallest peaks after Mount Fuji. The tallest are Mount Hotaka at 3,190m and Mount Kita at 3,193m. Mount Ontake at 3,067m is a destination for pilgrimages as well as being an active volcano.

During the summer months the Japanese Alps attract travellers who enjoy climbing and trekking whilst in winter heavy snow transforms the area into a superb skiing and snowboarding destination.

Many of the towns and villages of the Japanese Alps have retained their original architecture and mountain way of life. One of those towns is Matsumoto with its feudal castle and over 100 kura (storehouses), some of which have been refurbished into shops and restaurants. From Matsumoto you can access the higher reaches of the Japanese Alps which makes it an excellent base for trekking, skiing and climbing.