Things to do just outside Nagoya

Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Bokujo (Aichi farm) - Aichi-gun

About: Aichi Bokujo is located in the south-east of Nagoya, is a commercial farm, allowing visitors to experience farm life first-hand. Entry to the farm is free and tickets for attractions such as a mini golf game, butter-making experience of cow milking, can be purchased from various vending machines dotted around the farm (ask at the reception for more details. There are discounts for large groups and concession prices for youngsters. The farm is of course famous for its dairy produce so highly recommended are their Gelato, cheescakes and fresh milk.  The farm is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.   Some of the attractions include: Cow milking, Butter making, Ice-cream making, Sausage making, Horse riding, Mini-golf, Animal feeding, Tractor tours, Machine Milking tour, Milk packing  tours and a BBQ garden.  Most attractions run daily but occassionally some only run every other weekend so check the homepage before deciding what to do.  Some of the courses (Butter-making, Ice-cream making,  horse-riding and BBQ) do require reservations so call a few days in advance to make a bookings   Access: A 5-minute walk from Kurozasa Station, on the Tsurumai Line between Akaike and Toyota - cost = 650 Yen from Nagoya, 230 Yen from Akaike. There are over 500 free parking spaces available.   For reservations and more information:  0561-72-1300    Official Website: www.aiboku.com   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aichi Kenko no mori (Health Park and Plaza) - Obu-City (Aichi)

About: Located just south of Nagoya (15 minutes by JR train) located in the city of Obu, Aichi kenko no mori - literally meaning "health forest", is a vast area of open space allowing you to fully relax for either a half or full day.  The beautifully set park has several walking courses available and there are numerous exercise and stretching machines along the trail to keep you in shape.  The large lake, which the park is set upon, has a soft track around for both walkers and runners to exercise on all day.  There are also tennis courts (reservations needed) and the vast grounds (grassed) mean you can picnic, sunbathe or play ball games.  Of course there are ample vending machines around the park with a  selection to quench your thirst and picnic style seating all around the park. The Health Plaza is the main building and is located at the far end of the park.  Inside you will find a sports gym, swimming pool, Onsen, restaurants and a discovery centre  focusing on health and exercise.  There is also a hotel within the plaza that can accommodate over 100 guests. Around just a short walk from the aprk itself you can enjoy a natural produce store known as "Genki no sato".  Local farmers provide the stock for the shop in which you can find lovely sauces, jams snacks unique to the Obu area. Website in English: Click here to go directly to the homepage. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inuyama Castle - Inuyama-City

Okazaki Castle - Okazaki-City

Gifu Prefecture

Gifu Castle / Mount Kinka (Kinkazan) - Gifu-City

About: One of the highlights of visiting Gifu is taking a trip to Gifu Castle which is located right on the top of the beautiful Kinka Mountain.  The castle, previously home to Yoshiatsu Saito, was famously taken control of by feudal lord 'Nobunaga Oda' after his invasion in September of 1567.  The mountain and castle, standing over 1000ft high can been seen from almost anywhere in Gifu and stand as a symbol of the city's rich history and culture.  A range of courses can be taken to reach the top or come down the mountain or, alternatively a 5 minute ropeway journey can save you the steep walk.  On top of the mountain, you have the chance to relax and take in the beautiful panoramic views of Gifu prefecture or for a small fee, enter the Castle (museum inside) and climb to the top, for the highest and best viewing of all.  There is a also a small restaurant on the mountain top, slightly lower then the castle and vending machines selling soft drinks, beer and ice creams.  A small squirrel enclosure can also be enjoyed atop the mountain (just next to the ropeway exit) and again, for a small fee you can go in a play amongst the misfits whilst feeding them. To complete the trip to the mountain, also explore the beautiful Gifu Park (Gifu Koen), in which the mountain is set.  A peaceful and beautifully designed park houses a history and insect museum, souvenir shop (at the ropeway enterance), a childrens play area and small refreshment stands to keep everybody happy.  They have seasonal displays too, the best being the Christmas lights which set the park alive with a tranquil Christmasy feel from December every year. Access:From Nagoya take the JR line (520yen) or Meitetsu line (5890 yen) to gifu station.  From Gifu station  take either a bus for 'Gifu Koen' (North exit - 200 yen one way) or walk for about 45 minutes (also North exit) straight down the main road towards the mountain.  Alternatively and probably the best idea, for 100 yen you can rent a bike for the day and cycle to Mt.Kinka as well as exploring other sights around the city.   Go to the tourist information (2nd floor of the station next to the ticket machines) for more information about bike hires and maps of the city. Ropeway Prices :  Adults (older than 12 and junior high school students) - Round trip : 1,050 yen ; One way : 600 yen / Children (older than 4, less than 12 years old) - Round trip : 520 yen ; One way : 280 yen / Group (30 or more persons) Adult : 10 percent off. Children : 25 percent off / Junior high and high school students : 25 percent off adult fare. Gifu Tourist information offcial Website: click here to access the homepage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shirakawa-Go

Kyoto Prefecture

Mie Prefecture

Nabano Sato

Nagashima Spaland

Tado Mountain and Shrine - Kuwana (Mie)

About: Located just an hour from Nagoya and on the outskirts of Kuwawa city in Mie, this beautiful Shrine and mountain getaway is a wonderful breath of fresh air (literally).  Tado shrine hosts the famous Age-Uma festival every year in early May , an event highlighted by the attempt of young men and thier horses to scale a 3 metre high muddy slope running up to the shrine.  A sacred horse, a symbol of the shrine is kept in its own mini shrine near to enterance and for 100yen you can feed him some cut carrot. The area is beautiful, and mt.Tado, on which the shrine sits, allows for a fantastic treking experience, either around the beautiful settings or 400metres up to the top of the mountain.  On a clear day you'll be able to see the twin towers of Nagoya station. Access: Catch the Kintetsu Line to Kuwana, and change there to the Yoro Line or you can get the yoro line directly from Ogaki.. Get off at Tado - the shrine is a short walk from the station.