Central Japan 6 Days Itinerary-A

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Today’s mileage is long about 220km. Please try to shorten the travel time by using expressways as much as possible.

１１：００

First of all, you will go from Nagoya Airport to Mino IC on the expressway for about 100km.

The first destination is [Monet’s Pond]. The water lilies blooming in the highly transparent spring water are very beautiful, and the appearance of Nishikigoi swimming elegantly in the pond is like Monet’s masterpiece “Water Lilies”.
(Note) Nishikigoi is a general term for carp breeds that have been improved for ornamental fish, and is characterized by its colorful body color.

If the weather is bad or if you are traveling in winter, we recommend skipping here to save time.

１２：３０

After that, the highlight of the day is [Gujo Hachiman]. Spring waters and waterways spread out in the old townscape designated as an important traditional buildings preservation district of the country, and it has a wonderful atmosphere. There are many attractions such as Sogi-sui, Yanaka-Mizu no Komichi, Igawa Komichi, and Gujo Hachiman Castle, so it is recommended that you spend as much time as possible in Gujo Hachiman.

We recommend having an eel lunch at Gujo Hachiman. You can refer to the recommended restaurant on the day-by-day Driving Map

１５：３０

On this day, you are staying at [Hida Takayama], the center of the Hida region where you can feel the history and culture. If you book inn near Old town, it is good idea to check-in your inn first.

After checking in at the hotel, please take a leisurely stroll around the old town.

If your inn is located far from old town, please use above MAPCODE.

１５：００

After check-in, enjoy walking in the [Takayama Old Town] called “Little Kyoto”. The appearance of castle towns and commercial towns in the Edo period (1603-1868) is preserved. Shopping while looking at the old cityscape, a tour of the sake brewery, eating Hida beef, minced meat cutlet, pudding, etc. are fun, and time passes in no time.

Please drop in at [Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan]. The stalls used at the nationally famous Takayama Festival are always on display.

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The mileage on this day is 140km, which is standard, but if you want to see plenty of Shirakawago Village and Kanazawa City, we recommend that you leave around 9 o’clock.

Speaking of Takayama in the morning, please go to the morning market. Before checking out, please enjoy a walk in [Miyakawa Morning Market] or [Jinyamae Morning Market].

１０：２０

The highlights of the day are [Shirakawago Village] and [Gokayama], which are World Heritage Sites. First, head to Shirakawago Village. There is not much to see along the road to Shirakawa-go, so move quickly for about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

In Shirakawago Village, general vehicles are not allowed to enter the center of the village. Please park your car in the Seseragi Park parking lot, cross the river, and stroll through the village while looking at the gassho-style houses.

You can also see the inside of some houses, so be sure to visit them.

The Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory on the hill is a great spot with a famous panoramic view of Shirakawago Village. It is recommended to walk from the village but those who have bad legs can also drive. Please refer driving map.

Be sure to visit!

１３：３０

Next, you will go to [Ainokura Gassho style Village] in Gokayama town, a World Heritage Site. Although it is smaller than Shirakawago Village, there are fewer tourists, and you can feel the original scenery of Japan with gassho-style houses.

１５：３０
At the beginning of Kanazawa, let’s visit [Kenrokuen Garden], which is widely known as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. It is a wonderful garden where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons and has been awarded three stars by Michelin Green Guide Japan.

The cherry blossoms (Bgn April) and autumn leaves (Bgn November-End November) in Kenrokuen are especially recommended.

Next to Kenrokuen, you can walk to [Kanazawa Castle], which was the residence of the feudal lord of this area during the Edo period (1603-1868). It is currently maintained as a park, and the turrets and stone walls make you feel the history.

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If you have time, stop by [Higashi Chaya District]. This is also one of the popular tourist spots in Kanazawa, and you can see the teahouse-style buildings that have been selected as an important traditional buildings preservation district of the country.

１８：３０

You are staying in Kanazawa on this day. In Kanazawa, there are many restaurants around Kanazawa station. Please try local gourmet food such as high-class fish “Nodoguro”, crab, and Kanazawa oden.

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The mileage on this day is normal at 145km.

If your tour of Kanazawa city is not enough, please visit places in the city that you haven’t been to.

１０：４５

After leaving Kanazawa, you will head to Chirihama Nagisa Driveway which is a rare sandy beach that you can drive by car.

１２：３０

Next, you will head to [Amaharashi Coast] where you can view the Tateyama Mountain Range beyond Toyama Bay if the weather is good.

１４：００

Next, you will head to Shin-minato Kittokito Market. Today’s lunch is a specialty fish dish using fresh seafood.

１５：００
Please also stop by Kaiomaru Park, which is nearby. This is a resting bay area centered on the sailing ship Kaiomaru. You can safely experience the ship, the port and the sea, and play freely on the spacious grounds. You can also tour the inside of Kaiomaru.

１６：２０
Next you head to the Sankyoson Observatory. This is a scenic spot where you can overlook the the beautiful rural scenery and Sankyoson village. The sunset seen from here is beautiful, especially around the beginning of May when the sun is reflected on the paddy fields. This place is a little-known hidden gem that only rent-a-car travelers can enjoy.

１８：００

Toyama, where you stay on this day, has many hotels on the south side of Toyama Station, and there are many restaurants in the surrounding area. Enjoy local gourmet food such as Toyama black ramen, Himi udon, and Masuzushi, as well as delicious fish and sake.

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This day is a long drive of 210km, so please use the expressway (E8) to reduce travel time. Also, make sure to take regular breaks while driving.

１１：００

The first place to visit today is Takahashi Ameya. After leaving Toyama, drive on the expressway while looking at the Sea of Japan to the left, and Takahashi Ameya is just after exiting the highway at Joetsu IC.
This is the oldest candy store in Japan with nearly 400 years of history. Try traditional Japanese candy.

１２：３０

After that you will head towards Togakushi. You can find one of Togakushi’s most famous Soba (buckwheat noodles) restaurants on day-by-day Driving Map.

１３：３０

Next, you will head to [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.

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Next you will stop at Kagami Pond. Kagami means mirror, and this pond reflects the mountains and clouds in the background like a mirror.

There is nice cafe near the park and good for lunch.

１６：３０

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

１７：３０

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.

９：００

The mileage is short, about 135km, 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.

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.

１０：４５

First, after leaving Nagano, take the expressway (E18) to the Tobu Yunomaru IC. Then, you will head towards Lake Shirakaba and enter the Venus Line near Lake Shirakaba. We recommend eating lunch at Kurumayama on this day, so please buy a lunch box around Lake Shirakaba.

After Lake Shirakaba, you will enter the very beautiful 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. And don’t forget to bring your lunch!

１３：００

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. Yashima Wetlands can be circumnavigated in about an hour and a half. If you plan to go around the Yashima Wetlands, we recommend leaving your accommodation early in the morning.

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After that, you will head to [Mitsumine Viewing Platform]. You can take a break while gazing at the superb view. If you plan to visit the inside of Matsumoto Castle, we recommend leaving here by 15:15.

１６：００

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.

１７：３０

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.

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It is recommended to leave around 8:00 or 9:00 at the latest, as the mileage is quite long at 240km. Also, please use the expressway on the way.

If you haven’t visited Matsumoto castle yet, please visit it before you leave Matsumoto. They open from 8:30.

９：５５

After leaving Matsumoto, you will drive along the Nakasendo Road and head to Naraijuku which is the Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Naraijuku is a place where the townscape of the post town of the Edo period (1603-1868) has been almost completely preserved to this day.

１１：３０

Next, you will visit [Nezame no Toko Gorge], which has been popular as a landmark of Kisoji. The contrast between the white rock surface and the emerald green river flow is wonderful.

１３：１５

After Nezame no toko Gorge, you will go to [Tsumagojuku] where the vestiges of the Edo period (1603-1868) remain intact. Tsumagojuku was the first post town in Japan to preserve its old townscape, which was designated as an Important Preservation District for Traditional Buildingsand in 1976 for the first time in Japan.
The next post town, Magomejuku, is also popular.

However, since this day is the last day, you may not have enough time. In that case, we recommend skipping Tsumagojuku and then Eihoji Temple.

１５：１５

After passing through Magome, you will come to Nakatsugawa City. It is known as the birthplace of chestnut kinton, and there are many Japanese confectionery shops where you can enjoy chestnut kinton and wonderful Mont Blanc.

The distance from Nakatsugawa to Nagoya is about 90km. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes on the Chuo Expressway.

If you have time, please visit Eihoji Temple, which is known for its 700-year-old ginkgo tree. Especially during the fall foliage season, many people flock to see the wonderful scenery of the precincts dyed in yellow and red foliage.

１６：３０

This concludes your Chubu road trip.
For those who use Chubu Centrair International Airport, please pay attention to the time as the airport is about 45 km from Nagoya Station (center of Nagoya), about 40 minutes away on the highway.
Please use the map codes of the nearest gas stations at Nagoya Station and Chubu International Airport on the drive map.

Nagoya offers a variety of delicious gourmet foods. In particular, hitsumabushi, miso katsu, miso stewed udon, Nagoya cochin, and kishimen are recommended.