Around Tokyo&Mt.Fuji 5 Days Itinerary-C

１０：００

The mileage is about 150km, which is standard. There are many sightseeing spots around Fuji Five Lakes, including Lake Kawaguchiko, so if you want to visit many sightseeing spots, please start early.

There are not many spots between Tokyo and Mt.Fuji area. We strongly recommend that you take the expressway(E20) and drive all the way to the Kawaguchiko area, where there are many sights to see at once.

１１：４０

First of all, we recommend [Mt.Arakurayama Sengen Park] near Lake Kawaguchiko. It is a popular spot where you can see Mt. Fuji and the five-storied pagoda as a set, so the first visit in the morning is recommended.

１３：００

After that, you will drive toward Lake Yamanakako and head for the very famous [Oshino Hakkai].
Oshino Hakkai located between Lake Yamanakako and Lake Kawaguchiko is where eight springs of the underground water of Mt. Fuji meet and shoot up. It is registered as a World Cultural Heritage along with Mt. Fuji.

Please use either of the following parking lots.
Hinodeya Parking Lot（ひのでや駐車場）: MAPCODE 161 130 608
Ikemoto Parking Lot（池本駐車場）: MAPCODE 161 130 849

１５：００

If you have time, head to [Mt.Fuji(Fuji Subaru Line 5th station)]. It is about 20km and 40 minutes from the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center at the foot of the mountain. Also, please note that general vehicles are not allowed to run from mid-July to mid-September.

１６：４０

The area around Lake Kawaguchiko is a famous hot spring resort. It will be a long-distance drive tomorrow, so please take a rest and save your energy at the hot springs of Lake Kawaguchiko.

９：００

The mileage is long, about 180km. Please use the expressway if the car navigation system recommends it to save time.

９：１０

First of all, if you haven’t visited yet, please visit [Mt.Arakurayama Sengen Park] near Lake Kawaguchiko. It is a popular spot where you can see Mt. Fuji and the five-storied pagoda as a set, so the first visit in the morning is recommended.

１１：３０

After that, you will head to [Shosenkyo Gorge]. Here you can enjoy a stroll through the valley of strange rocks and rivers.

１４：２０

Then you will head north to Yatsugatake. Please use the expressway (E20) to reduce travel time.

Around Kiyosato, there is soft serve ice cream made from rich jersey milk and nice restaurants making it a perfect spot for lunch.

１５：３０

After that, you will head to the highlight of the day, [Lake Suwa Observatory (Tateishi Park)]. Please use the expressway (E20) to reduce travel time.
It is a place that became famous as a sacred place for the animated movie “Your Name”, and you can enjoy a wonderful sight, especially at dusk.

１６：５０

The final destination of the day is [Matsumoto Castle], which is synonymous with Matsumoto. Please use the expressway (E19) to reduce travel time.

You can see the inside of the castle tower, which is one of the few original castle towers in Japan. However, please note that the final admission time is 16:30 – 17:30 depending on the seasons.

１８：００

Matsumoto, the largest city in Nagano prefecture. Many restaurants are open until night, so you don’t have to worry about dinner.
If you have time, we recommend taking a walk along “Nakamachi-Dori street”, which is lined with buildings with Namako walls.

９：００

The mileage is as short as 100km, but it’s better to leave early to enjoy Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route fully.

１０：１５

Today’s first destination is Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the biggest highlight today. First, please aim for Ogizawa, which has the entrance on the Nagano side.

After parking the car in the Ogizawa parking lot, take a trolley bus and head to Kurobe Dam. The bus goes through a narrow and dark tunnel.

At Kurobe Dam, please enjoy the huge Kurobe Dam, which is known as the highest dam in Japan. Especially powerful water discharge is great. If you are confident in your legs, we recommend to go to an observatory located in a high place.

After that, please walk on the dam and head to Kurobe Lake Station of the Kurobe cable car on the other side. And you will take the cable car to Kurobeidaira Station.

At Kurobedaira Station, you will change to Tateyama Ropeway and head to Daikanbo. This ropeway is 1700m long and has no pillars on the way, and the longest ropeway in Japan. And Lake Kurobe and the surrounding mountains are so beautiful that you will feel like you are flying in the air of the alpine route.

At Daikanbo, please change to a trolley bus. At that time, please don’t forget to go to the rooftop observatory at the station. Lake Kurobe and the large panoramic view of the Alpen Route are one of the best beauties.

The trolleybus then arrives at Murodo, the highest point of the Tateyama Alpine Route. In Murodo, please enjoy the Yuki-no-Otani (mid-April to mid-June), Mikurigaike Pond walk, and more.

After enjoying Murodo, please return to Ogizawa the way you just came, without going further in the direction of Tateyama.

１６：００

Next, you will head to the Daio Wasabi Farm. This is known as the best wasabi garden in Japan, and many tourists visit. After walking around, please try wasabi soft-serve ice cream.

１７：３０

It takes about 15km to Matsumoto. Please go back to the same inn. Please spend a relaxing time.

９：００

The mileage is short, about 130km, but about 50km of it is a mountain road. There are also many attractions and places to go for a walk, so it is recommended that you start early.

９：５５

When you leave Matsumoto, you first go up the mountain road called Azalea Line to [Utsukushigahara Open Air Museum]. The museum itself is wonderful and the amazing view is a must-see.

１１：２０

After that, you will finally be on the [Venus Line] drive.
Please drop in at [Mitsumine Viewing Platform]. You can take a break while gazing at the superb view.

１２：４０

You then head to [Yashima Wetlands]. You can take a walk in the marshland, which stretches over a plateau at an altitude of 1600 m, and is full of rare plants and flowers.

１３：５０

After Yashima wetlands, you will enter the most beautiful section of the Venus Line. There are some shops to take a rest and observatories along the way, so stop by and enjoy a drive.
After that, it is the biggest highlight of the day [Kurumayama Highland]. A truly awesome 360-degree view spreads out. You need to take a lift to the top of the mountain, but you will never regret it. Highly recommended.

１６：５５

There are many nice restaurants in Karuizawa where you will stay on this day, but all of them are closed from 8 to 9 pm due to regulations. The convenience stores also close at 23:00. Please make sure you arrive at the inn by about 6 pm so you don’t miss your dinner.
A walk in the town of Karuizawa will be tomorrow.

９：００

The mileage is long at about 190km and it is a tough day.
There are many attractions in Karuizawa city and around Tomioka, so enjoy sightseeing there, and then return to Tokyo using the Kan-etsu Expressway(E18).

９：０５

The first destination is [Kyukaruizawa Ginza Street]. It is the main street of Karuizawa, a historic summer resort. It’s a fun way to stroll around the cute churches and the bakery that John Lennon used to go to.

１０：１５

The next destination will be [Karuizawa Lake Garden]. The rose season is in spring and the season of autumn leaves is breathtaking.

１２：００

2km from there, you will arrive at the World Cultural Heritage [Tomioka Silk Mill]. The factories and warehouses that greatly contributed to the modernization of Japan remain as they were when they first opened 150 years ago.

Please use the following parking lots.
① Nearest parking lot (charged) MAPCODE: 94 002 243*32 In front of the Tomioka Silk Mill
② Machinaka Exchange Center (charged) MAPCODE: 94 002 374*80

１４：３０

The distance from Tomioka Silk Mill to Tokyo (Tokyo Station) is about 130km, and it takes about 2 hours using the expressways (E18, E17).
There is also Little Edo [Kawagoe] on the way, so it is recommended that first-timers adjust the time.

In Kawagoe, please use the following parking lots.
[1] Paid parking lot MAPCODE: 14 013 220 * 58
[2] Free parking lot (1km on foot) MAPCODE: 14 014 743 * 46

１７：３０
This is the end of this road trip.
Please refer to the driving map for the MAPCODE of the nearest car rental company branch in Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya Station, and Haneda, Narita Airport.

①Returning a car at Haneda Airport
They provide a free shuttle bus from the branch to the airport. Normally it takes 15-20 min but may take up to 1 hour during busy times.

②Returning a car at Narita Airport
If you use Narita Airport, please be aware that it is about 70km from central Tokyo and about 1 hour by expressway. They provide a free shuttle bus from the branch to the airport. Normally it takes 15-30 min but may take up to 1 hour during busy times.

③Returning a car in Tokyo
Traffic jams often occur in Tokyo. Be sure to return your car with plenty of time to spare.

There are 80,000 restaurants in Tokyo! Enjoy your last Japanese meal before returning to your home country as much as you want!