Day drives from Nagoya: coast and mountain routes across Tokai
Chausuyama Highland Drive: The Road Up and Things to Do at the Top
A guide to driving up to the Chausuyama Highlands, around Aichi's highest peak: how to enjoy the mountain road, what to do once you arrive, and what each season brings.
A Chausuyama Highland drive takes you up into the mountains to the highest point in Aichi Prefecture, where birch woods, a lake and open grassland wait at the top. This guide covers how to enjoy the road up, how to spend your time once you arrive, and what each season offers. Event dates can change, so we also list where to check the latest information.
What is a Chausuyama Highland drive?
The Chausuyama Highlands sit on the border between Aichi and Nagano prefectures, in the village of Toyone. At the centre is Mount Chausuyama, 1,415 metres high and considered the highest peak in Aichi.
According to Aichi Now, the prefecture’s official tourism site, the highland spreading out around the mountain includes birch woods, a lake and grassland.
It is a place for mountain scenery you won’t find in the city, and that alone makes it worth the drive.
The road up
Chausuyama is a destination for a drive into the mountains from Nagoya. On a trip like this, the journey is as much a part of the day as the place you arrive at.
How to approach the mountain road
The best preparation for a mountain drive is a relaxed schedule. Don’t plan your arrival time too tightly, and stop for a break before you start to feel tired. That way you stay calm behind the wheel all day.
On winding stretches, keep a comfortable pace and don’t let the view pull your attention from the road. Before you set off, check the latest weather and road information.
How the scenery changes
As you drive on, the landscape gradually shifts from town to hills to mountains. The closer you get, the more the mountains take over. Noticing that change is one of the quiet pleasures of a highland drive.
When you aren’t in a hurry, you notice more of what passes outside the window.
Pair it with other Okumikawa mountain roads
Chausuyama lies in the Okumikawa area, which has more to offer along its mountain roads. For a route that combines the highlands with Korankei, known for its autumn colour, see An Okumikawa mountain drive: from Korankei to the Chausuyama Highlands. It’s a useful starting point for planning the day.
Things to do at the top
Once you arrive, step out of the car and walk for a while. Here is what you can enjoy at any time of year, followed by the seasonal highlights.
Walk the highland
Birch woods, a lake and grassland give the Chausuyama Highlands plenty of variety. After the drive up, a walk in the mountain air is one of the best parts of the day.
You don’t need a long hike. Even a short stroll with the view around you is enough to reset.
Take the sightseeing lift up Mount Hagitaro
A prefectural page on summer at Chausuyama explains that the lift used for skiing in winter also runs as a sightseeing lift, carrying visitors close to the summit of Mount Hagitaro while they take in the scenery.
From the top of the lift, a walk to the summit brings you to a terrace with a sweeping view of the Southern Alps. Check official information before you go to confirm whether and when the lift is running.
Seasonal highlights
Chausuyama is described as a place to enjoy all year round: moss phlox in spring, outdoor activities in summer, autumn foliage, and skiing in winter.
Spring: moss phlox
The Chausuyama moss phlox festival takes place at 1,358 metres and is described as the highest flower garden in Aichi. Seven varieties of moss phlox, in different colours and shapes, are planted there, and you can enjoy the flowers while looking out over the peaks of the Southern Alps. The garden is also described as being lit up in the evening.
For details, see the Aichi Now festival page. Festival dates may change from year to year, so check the latest information before you go.
Summer: flowers under the lift
In summer, colourful SunPatiens are described as blooming beneath the sightseeing lift. Riding up over the flowers is one of the pleasures of the season.
Summer is also the season for outdoor activities. Whether seasonal events are held, and what they include, can vary, so please check the official websites.
Autumn: foliage
Autumn is the season for foliage, a fine time to see the highland scenery in a different light. The best timing varies from year to year, so check the latest information before you set out.
Winter: skiing
In winter, the Chausuyama Highlands are known as a place to ski. If you plan a winter visit, always check opening information and road conditions through official sources in advance.
Where to check the latest information
Event dates and opening information can change. Before you go, it’s worth checking:
- Aichi Now: Chausuyama Highlands
- The official Chausuyama Highlands website and the Toyone Village Tourism Association website (both linked from the pages above)
These sites are mainly in Japanese, so a browser translation tool can help.
Planning your day drive
If you are weighing other mountain destinations in Aichi, or a day by the coast instead, see Day drives from Nagoya: to the coast, into the mountains, along the roads of Tokai.
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FAQ
What can you do at the Chausuyama Highlands?
You can walk through the birch woods, lake and grassland of the highland, and ride the sightseeing lift close to the summit of Mount Hagitaro, where a terrace looks out over the Southern Alps. Through the year there are moss phlox in spring, outdoor activities in summer, autumn foliage, and skiing in winter.
What is the road to Chausuyama like?
It’s a drive on which the scenery gradually changes from town to hills to mountains. On the mountain stretches, allow plenty of time, take breaks, and drive at a calm, comfortable pace.
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