Chūbuchihō (region), central Honshu, Japan, embracing . Situated
between Kantō region (east) and Kinki region (west), it
encompasses the ken (prefectures) of Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa,
Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, and Aichi. Its The
region’s name is derived from its location in the central part
(chūbu) of Japan. Chūbu region occupies 25,786 square miles
(66,786 square km) between Kantō region (east) and Kinki region
(west).   Chūbu region may be divided into three distinct
subregions. The Hokuriku area along the Sea of Japan (East Sea)
includes Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures. It is
generally referred to as Ura Nihon (“Reverse “Back Japan”)
because of the gloom and snow of its winter weather. Industrial
developments include aluminum smelting and fertilizer
production.   TokaiTōkai, or Omote Nihon (“Obverse “Front
Japan”), is composed of Shizuoka and Aichi prefectures. The
climate contrasts with that of Hokuriku, being characterized by
windy, bright winters. Since the early 20th c