Neon lights, skyscrapers and crowded metropolises are what usually spring to mind when visitors think of Japan, so it surprises many to find there is an expanse of rocky landscape to discover for the more adventurous. More than 70% of Japan's landmass is mountainous and covered by forests, pushing much of the 127 million strong population to the well-populated coastal areas and creating a central wilderness within the country.

The Japan Alps cover a large area of central chubu, from Nagano in the north, to Shizuoka in the south. Although only two-thirds the scale of the European equivalent, the Japanese mountains have a greater variety of deciduous plants and trees, along with extinct volcanic cones. During the early autumn in late September and early October, the leaves turn to produce swathes of russet colours, attracting visitors who wish to view the Koyo or colourful leaves.

Throughout the winter months there are plentiful ski resorts for some of the best powder skiing in the world. You can choose between the Olympic resort of Hakuba, Shiga Kogen, the largest combined resort in Japan, or the smaller village-style Nozawa Onsen. All resorts offer fantastic skiing away from the crowded European resorts, a chance to experience true Japanese culture and of course the obligatory hot-spring onsen to relax the muscles for après-ski.

Once the snow has melted however, the Alps are a haven for fresh, bracing air whilst the low-lying areas are sweltering away in the summer heat. During the summer, the highlands are carpeted with a vibrant palette of alpine flowers and together with the scent of the creeping pine, the buzzing of hoverflies and the chance of sighting Japanese wildlife, hiking in this area is definitely worthwhile. Whether you like a gentle stroll across rolling hillsides, picnicking under the soft green larch trees - or a full-blown scramble to the 3000m summits, staying in mountain huts and searching for the Asian black bear ? there is something for you.