Central Japan 8 Days Itinerary-C

９：００

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.

９：００

The mileage is not very long 160km, but due to many attractions, it is recommended to leave by 9 o’clock.

１０：２０

The highlights of the day are [Shirakawago Village] and [Gokayama], which are World Heritage Sites. First, head to Shirakawago Village.

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.

１６：４５

On this day you will stay in Takayama for consecutive nights following yesterday. Please spend a relaxing time at the hotel.

８：４５

The mileage is about 140km, which is short. The highlight of the day is walking in Kamikochi one of the most famous highland in all over Japan.
It is recommended to leave Takayama at 8:45 to catch the 9:50 bus from “Akandana Parking”.

９：３５

The first is today’s highlight [Kamikochi] highland.
Kamikochi is restricted to private cars throughout the year, so park your car at the “Akandana Parking Lot” and head for it by shuttle bus. Buses depart at 20 and 50 minutes per hour.

The recommended course is to get off at “Taisho Pond” and walk to “Kappa Bridge”. Even children can walk on the road for about 1 hour and half at a slower pace, and you can enjoy the most pleasant walk.

Once you reach Kappa bridge, you can walk 6min to bus terminal. Additionally, there are some restaurants around Kappa bridge and nice for lunch.

Kamikochi is also known for its beautiful autumn colors (Mid-Oct-End October). Please note that it will be closed in winter from Mid-Nov to End-Apr.

１３：３０

Next, if the weather is nice, head to the [Shinhodaka Ropeway]. Japan’s first two-story gondola is in operation, and you can enjoy a large panorama of the Northern Alps. The autumn leaves season (Mid-Oct-End Oct) is especially recommended.

The ropeway departs at 15 and 45 minutes per hour.

１６：００

It takes about 50km, 1 hour, and 40 minutes to reach the next Matsumoto city.
[Matsumoto Castle] is the symbol of Matsumoto and is a national treasure where the original castle tower remains. Known for its beautiful contrast of black and white, the castle has a wonderful landscape against the backdrop of the mountains of the Alps. The last entry is 16:30.

１７：００

You are staying at Matsumoto on this day. There are many hotels on the east side of the station, and there are plenty of restaurants.
In addition, Asama Onsen is located just east of Matsumoto City. This is recommended if you want to stay at a hot spring inn.

Enjoy local gourmet food such as Toji soba noodles and Sanzoku-yaki (Chicken thigh dish).
If you have time, we recommend taking a walk along Nakamachi-dori road, 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.

１０：００

The mileage is as short as 130km, but about 50km of it is a mountain road.

If you haven’t visited Matsumoto castle yet, let’s visit before you leave Matsumoto. It open from 8:30.

１１：００

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.

１２：２０

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.

１３：００

Next is [Yashima Wetlands], which spreads over a plateau at an altitude of 1,630m. This marsh is designated as a national natural monument, and about 400 species of subalpine plants can be observed throughout the year.

Short walking course：800m/15min
Marshland round trip course：3.6km/1.5hours

１４：００

The biggest highlight of the day is [Kurumayama Highland]. A truly incredible 360-degree view spreads out. You need to take a lift to the top of the mountain, but you will never regret it, so please visit.

Some restaurants and cafes are at the bottom and middle of the mountain. And it is also a good idea to buy sandwiches or a lunch box and eat at the TOP of the mountain.

１６：３０

After that, [Lake Suwa Observatory (Tateishi Park)].
It is a panoramic observatory where you can look down Lake Suwa. It became famous as a sacred place for the animated movie “Your Name”, and is especially recommended to see the sunset.

１６：３０

It is about 40km to Matsumoto. Please go back to same inn. Please spend a relaxing time.

９：００

The mileage is relatively long at 180km, so it is recommended that you leave the hotel by 9 o’clock at the latest. Also, use the expressway as much as possible to reduce driing time.

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

１０：５０

The first destination is [Lake Suwa Observatory (Tateishi Park)]. It is a place visited by many tourists with a wonderful view of Lake Suwa and the city of Suwa.

１２：４０

Next, you will move to Yamanashi Prefecture and visit [Shosenkyo], which is said to be “the best valley beauty in Japan”. It is about 75km, about 1 hour and 30 minutes drive using the Chuo Expressway (E20).

You can enjoy the natural beauty of cliffs, special-looking rocks, and beautiful water streams from the well-maintained promenade.

１５：４０

After Shosenkyo, you will go to [Oishi Park] where you can see Mt. Fuji and Kawaguchiko which is one of the Fuji Five Lakes at the same time. It is about 65km, about 1 hour and 15 minutes drive using the Chuo Expressway (E20). The flowers of the four seasons are also beautiful here, especially during the lavender season (mid-June-mid-July).

１６：５０

We recommend staying around Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Yamanaka on this day. After checking in at the hotel, you can enjoy local gourmet food such as Hoto or Yoshida udon, which are local dishes of Yamanashi prefecture, while strolling along the lakeside. At dusk on Lake Yamanaka, you may be able to capture the lake, Mt. Fuji, and the setting sun in one photo.

１０：００

The mileage is about 80km even if you go to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji, so it is a day when you can travel comfortably.

１０：１０

First of all, if you haven’t visited yet, please visit [Mt.Arakurayama Sengen Park] near Lake Kawaguchi. 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 drive toward Lake Yamanakako and head for the very famous [Oshino Hakkai].
[Oshino Hakkai] near Lake Yamanakako are the eight springs that make the underground water of Mt. Fuji come 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

１２：４０

Speaking of lunch in Yamanashi, hoto is recommended. Please refer driving map. In particular, there are many hoto restaurants around Lake Kawaguchiko.

Also, the map introduces famous hamburger shops and robatayaki restaurants with a nice atmosphere, so please refer to them.

At the western confectionery and coffee shop [Abend] (MAPCODE: 161 215 436), you can enjoy anmitsu, waffles, and specialty curry made from Fuji’s famous water.

１４：２０

After lunch, you’re finally heading to today’s highlight, Mt.Fuji. After drivinging the [Fuji Subaru Line] for about 30km from the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, you will arrive at the [Mt. Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station]. Located at an altitude of about 2300 meters, it offers wonderful views of the Fuji Five Lakes and the mountains of the Alps.
* General vehicles cannot run from mid-July to mid-September. Please be careful. Also, the 5th station is 10 ℃ colder than the base, so be sure to bring warm clothes.

１６：１５

If you still have time to go down to the foot of the mountain, we recommend [Saiko Iyashi no sato NENBA] near Saiko. The restored thatched-roof houses are lined up, and it is truly a world of old Japanese tales.

１７：３０

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 about 150km, which is normal. However, there are many attractions around the Fuji Five Lakes and there is a very high possibility of traffic jams in Tokyo. Please allow 2-3 hours for a return trip to Tokyo, especially if you travel on Sundays and the last day of consecutive holidays.

９：２０

The first recommendation is [Saiko Iyashi no Sato NENBA]. The restored thatched-roof houses are lined up, and it is truly a world of old Japanese tales.

１０：１０

After that, you will head to the highlight of the day [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, general vehicles cannot run from mid-July to mid-September, so use the bus during that time.

１２：５０

Speaking of lunch in Yamanashi, “Hoto” is recommended. Please refer driving map. In particular, there are many Hoto restaurants around Lake Kawaguchiko, so be sure to visit them.

１４：１０

[Oshino Hakkai] near Lake Yamanakako are eight springs where the underground water of Mt. Fuji comes 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

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!