The Akaishi Mountains, also known as the South Japan Alps, lie roughly 200 kilometers west of Tokyo in Shizuoka Prefecture. Navigating these deep mountain valleys requires careful driving, as the mountain passes feature extremely narrow roads with steep drops. A rental car provides the best access to the region, though travelers should note that practical amenities and services are sparse once deep in the peaks.
One of the area's most unusual destinations is Okuizumi Station on the local mountain railway line, which sits on a tiny sliver of land 70 meters above a turquoise lake. Visitors can reach the station by riding the train—which occasionally runs themed Thomas the Tank Engine locomotives alongside standard cars—or by parking nearby, walking through the forest, and crossing the adjacent bridge on foot.
Further up the valley is Yume no Tsuri Bashi, or the Dream Bridge, a narrow wooden suspension footbridge that sways high over the water. For accommodations, local homestays in mountain towns like Kawanehon provide an immersive look into rural life, where local wildlife like deer, monkeys, and wild boars roam the surrounding forests.
Guide adapted from Abroad in Japan's video "This Mountain Village in Japan Should Be Dying. Why Isn't It?."