Nenoue Highlands, Table land in Nakatsugawa Ena, Japan.
Nenoue Highlands is a plateau in Nakatsugawa, Ena, in Gifu Prefecture, sitting at around 930 meters elevation and featuring two lakes set within forest and wetland areas. Wooden walkways and footpaths connect the different sections of the plateau, guiding visitors through the landscape.
The highlands lie close to the old Nakasendo trade route, which linked Edo and Kyoto through the mountain regions of central Japan during the Edo period. This position along the corridor gave the area a role as a known stopping point for travelers moving through the mountains.
The area around Lake Nenoue draws local visitors especially in autumn, when the trees change color and mirror themselves in the water. The cooler air at this elevation has made it a favorite escape for people from the nearby cities during warmer months.
A loop around Lake Nenoue follows mostly flat ground and suits visitors of most fitness levels without requiring special preparation. Weekday visits tend to be quieter, and arriving in the morning gives more time to walk the different sections of the plateau at a relaxed pace.
Locals often call this area the Karuizawa of Gifu Prefecture, drawing a comparison with the well-known highland resort in Nagano. The nickname points to a long tradition of seeking cooler ground in summer that goes back well before the area became a tourist destination.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
