Around Tokyo&Mt.Fuji 7 Days Itinerary-D

９：００

The mileage is long at about 190km, so we recommend that you depart as early as possible.

１０：００

The distance from Tokyo(Tokyo Station) to Kawagoe is about 45km, and it takes about 1 hour using the expressway. Kawagoe is known as Little Edo, where you can feel the culture of Edo (old Tokyo) with its rows of buildings from the Edo period.

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

１２：３０

Your next destination is 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

After leaving Tomioka, take the expressway (E18) toward Karuizawa.
There is a very popular matcha ice cream shop along the way, so it is recommended for a break.

１４：４５

Next, you will head to [Karuizawa Lake Garden]. The rose season is in spring and the season of autumn leaves is breathtaking.

１６：００

The last destination of the day 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.

１７：２０

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.

１０：００

The mileage is as short as about 60km, so you can travel comfortably even if you depart late.

１０：１０

The first destination is [Karuizawa Lake Garden]. Especially the rose season in spring and autumn and the season of autumn leaves are breathtaking.

１１：２５

After that, you will return to the town of Karuizawa and walk on [Kyukaruizawa Ginza Street]. It is the main street of Karuizawa, a historic summer resort. You can enjoy walking around the cute church and the bakery where John Lennon attended. It is also recommended for lunch.

１２：５０

Departing from Karuizawa, there is [Shiraito Waterfalls(Karuizawa)] along the Shiraito Highland Way on the toll road. There is no river upstream, and it is a mysterious waterfall where the water seeps out from the mountain surface and flows down.

１４：００

We also recommend [Mt. Asama magma stone park (Onioshidashi Volcanic Park)]. You can take a walk for about 30 minutes in the desolate scenery of the cold and solidified lava of Mt. Asama. In autumn, you can enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves from here.

１６：００

On this day, you will stay at Kusatsu Onsen, one of the most famous Onsen town in all over Japan.
Kusatsu is full of highlights such as walking around the symbols [Yubatake] and [Sainokawara Park], and a hot spring fir show at [Netsunoyu]. Arrive at the inn around 16:00 and enjoy walking around the city after checking in at the inn.

The next day you will be traveling a long distance, so take a rest in the hot springs to save energy.

９：３０

The mileage is about 125km, but about 80km of this is a mountain road, so it takes time. There are some spots such as Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park that also take time, so we recommend to leave a bit early.

１０：３０

When you go further, you will arrive at [Highest point of Japan National Route]. At the best viewpoint on the Shiga Kusatsu Road, you can enjoy a magnificent view.

１１：１５

About 2km from there, you will arrive at [Mt. Yokote observatory].
If you have time, you can also use the skylator and lift to climb the summit of Mt. Yokote.

Mt.Yokote summit has a Crumpet Cafe with a wonderful view. Also, about 50m away from there, there is the Yokote Summit Hut, and the bakery there is very famous. On this day, we recommend having lunch at one of these restaurants.

１３：００

After that, when you go down the mountain and pass the Shiga highland, you will arrive at [Jigokudani Monkey Park], which is worldwide famous for snow monkeys!

It is also nice to relax at the ENZA cafe near the parking for Monkey Park.

１６：００

Next, you will head to Zenkoji Temple which is one of the most important and popular temples in Japan.

１７：１０

You will stay in Nagano on this day. Nagano has many hotels between Nagano Station and Zenkoji Temple. If you are going to go to Zenkoji Temple after checking in to the hotel, you may want to book a hotel as close as possible to the Temple.

１０：００

The mileage on this day is about 135km, but you will use mountain roads, so it takes time. It might be better to leave early.

If you haven’t yet, we recommend going to Zenkoji Temple early in the morning before checkout. In that case, it would be a good idea to go for the Osaji (morning service) and experience it yourself. This is a memorial service held by all the priests of Zenkoji Temple, and the start time is one hour after sunrise, which changes every day (5:30-7:00). See the below link for more detail.

９：５５

The first destination of the day is Togakushi Shrine Okusha(Main Shrine) which is famous for its beautiful cedar trees over 400 years old. The 300 cedar trees line up for 500m from the Zuishinmon Gate and a truly mysterious world spreads.

１２：３０

After that, stop by Uzuraya for lunch which is one of Togakushi’s most famous Soba (buckwheat noodles) restaurants.

１５：３０
After that, you will drive along the Chikuma River and head to Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel for about 2 hours. It will be a long drive, so please take breaks along the way. Kiyotsukyo Gorge is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural monuments on the border of Yuzawa and Tokamachi. 

Along this road, there are Tsunan Sunflower Field (late July to mid-August) and Nanohana (Rape blossoms) Park (late April to early May), so if you are traveling during the flower season, please stop by.

１７：３０

Yuzawa, where you stay on this day, is also a famous onsen town.
Also, if you drive from Echigo Yuzawa on the Kan-Etsu Expressway for about 30km and 40 minutes, you will reach Minakami Onsen. Many inns are of a slightly higher grade, and the mileage the next day will be shorter, so this is also recommended.

９：００

The mileage is standard at 150km.

１０：００

Your first destination on this day is [Fukiwari Waterfall]. It is a very mysterious waterfall formed by the river eroding over a long period of time from the rock formed by the solidification of lava.

Please use one of the following parking lots.
① Takinoeki Fukiware-滝の駅吹割
MAPCODE: 540 115 493
② Kyaraen-伽羅園
MAPCODE: 540 115 701

１１：５５

From there you cross Mt. Nikko-Shirane and head for Oku-Nikko. The next destination is [Yudaki Falls & Lake Yunoko].
The water flowing from Lake Yunoko becomes a huge Yudaki Falls with a height of 70m and a width of 25m. The view from the observatory just below the basin is impressive.

１３：０５

You will arrive at [Lake Chuzenjiko] from Yudaki via Senjogahara and Ryuzu Falls. From the lakeside parking lot, you can also enjoy a walk to [Chuzenji Temple], [British Embassy Villa], and [Italian Embassy Villa].

１５：１０

After leaving Lake Chuzenjiko, go down the famous Irohazaka (mountain road) to the Nikko city area.
If you have time, we recommend the Akechidaira Ropeway Observatory. This is only accessible from the one-way Irohazaka climbing line, so you’ll have to go down once and then climb again. However, you can meet the magnificent view of Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenjiko, and the Kegon Falls that flow down from there.

１７：００

On this day you will stay in Nikko. An inn near Toshogu is convenient for sightseeing the next day. If you drive about 15km from Toshogu, you will reach Kinugawa, a hot spring resort that represents the Kanto region. There are many inns, and you can relax in the hot springs, so this is also recommended.
You will visit Nikko shrines and temples such as Toshogu tomorrow morning.

１０：００

The mileage is short at 50km, so you don’t need to leave early in the morning.

１０：１０

The first destination is the world heritage [Shrines and Temples of Nikko] including the Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
You will first go to [Nikko Toshogu Shrine], which enshrines Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of Edo, now the world city of Tokyo. This shrine is too famous for the Yomeimon Gate and sleeping cats. [Futarasan Shrine], [Rinnoji Temple], and [Daiyuin] which enshrines Tokugawa Iemitsu are also worth seeing.

１２：３０

Next, you will head to Ebisuya for lunch. Ebisuya is a “Yuba(湯葉)” restaurant where you can enjoy Nikko’s famous yuba dishes. Yuba is the skin that forms on the surface of heated soy-milk, used in cooking.

１４：３０

After lunch, you will head to Ryuokyo Canyon where the beautiful scenery of strangely shaped rocks, the beautiful flow of the Kinugawa River, and the surrounding trees is truly a superb view.

１７：００

On this day you will stay in Nikko for the second consecutive night. Please spend a relaxing time at the inn.

９：００

The mileage is long at about 200km, but 100km or more is a drive on the expressway.

９：１０

The first destination is the world heritage [Shrines and Temples of Nikko] including the Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
You will first go to [Nikko Toshogu Shrine], which enshrines Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of Edo, now the world city Tokyo. This shrine is too famous for the Yomeimon Gate and sleeping cats. [Futarasan Shrine], [Rinnoji Temple], and [Daiyuin], which enshrines Tokugawa Iemitsu, are also worth seeing.

１１：００

If you have time, we recommend the Akechidaira Ropeway Observatory. Located on the hillside of Irohazaka, you can see the magnificent view of Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenjiko, and the Kegon Falls that flow down from there.

１３：００

After that, head to [Oya Museum]. Although it is named a museum, it is actually the site of a huge underground quarry of stone named Oya stone used for warehouses. You will be amazed at its size, which is like an underground city.

１７：３０
This is the end of this road trip.

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!