title: Chūbu-Sangaku National Park
text: # Chūbu-Sangaku National Park
  
  Chūbu-Sangaku National Park (中部山岳国立公園, Chūbu Sangaku Kokuritsu Kōen) is a national park in the Chūbu region of Japan. It was established around the Hida Mountains and encompasses parts of Nagano, Gifu, Toyama and Niigata prefectures. It was designated a national park on December 4, 1934, along with Daisetsuzan National Park, Akan National Park, Nikkō National Park, and Aso Kujū National Park.
  
  ## Geography
  
  The Hida Mountains, or Northern Alps make up the majority of the park. There are many points in the Hida Mountains within the park that are above 3,000 m (9,843 ft), including Kamikōchi, Mount Norikura, Mount Hotaka and Mount Tate. The park is home to numerous gorges, ravines, and dramatically shaped escarpments, as well as the headwater of Japan's longest river, the Shinano River, which begins here as the Azusa River on the southeastern slope of Mount Yari.
  
  ## Recreation
  
  The Chūbu-Sangaku National Park has become the most important hiking area in Japan. Often tourists visit the nearby mountainous highland valley, Kamikochi.
  
  