This 12-day road trip invites you to slow down and soak in the timeless beauty of Japan’s heartland. From misty mountains and centuries-old trails to charming hot spring towns and artisan streets, this journey through the Chubu region offers a perfect blend of nature, tradition, and quiet discovery. Whether you’re a lover of scenic drives, historic villages, or local cuisine, this itinerary promises an unforgettable escape into Japan’s lesser-known wonders.
This Chubu region itinerary offers a deeper, quieter side of Japan—perfect for travellers who enjoy slow travel, small towns, and scenic countryside escapes.
Rather than a day-by-day itinerary, the suggestions below are divided into regions with suggested highlights to explore at each base so you can stay flexible and adjust the tempo as you explore.
Thematic Highlights
| Theme | Recommended Stops |
|---|---|
| Nature & Hiking | Kamikōchi, Mt. Fuji lakes, Nakasendo Trail |
| Culture & History | Takayama, Kanazawa, Kiso post towns |
| Hot Springs | Yamanaka Onsen, Kawaguchiko ryokan |
| Foodie Favorites | Hida beef, soba, kaiseki, hōtō noodles |
| Scenic Drives | Alpine roads, mountain villages, lake loops |
Tokyo → Matsumoto → Kanazawa → Takayama → Kiso Valley → Kawaguchiko → Tokyo
Tips for Travelers
- Season: Year-round (autumn and spring especially scenic)
- Transport: Rental Car recommended – best flexibility for rural areas
- Luggage: Use forwarding services for comfort if traveling by train
- Accommodation: Book ryokans early, especially in smaller towns
Days 1–2: Matsumoto & Kamikōchi
- Travel: Tokyo → Matsumoto (~3 hrs by train or ~3.5 hrs by car)
- Base: Matsumoto
- Local Cuisine:
- Soba noodles (a regional specialty)
- Basashi (horse sashimi)
- Top Sights:
- Explore Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s premier historic castles
- Stroll through the Nakamachi and Nawate Streets (old merchant districts)
- Enjoy local crafts and traditional buildings
- Daytrip: Kamikōchi
- Hike through the Kamikōchi Valley, with views of the Japan Alps
- Enjoy the Kappa Bridge, Myojin Pond, and serene riverside trails
- Optional: Short hikes to Dakesawa or Tokusawa for deeper nature immersion
Days 3–4: Kanazawa & Yamanaka Onsen
- Base: Kanazawa, then overnight in Ryokan in Yamanaka Onsen
- Travel: Matsumoto → Kanazawa (~4-5 hrs scenic train/bus or drive through the Alps)
- Local Cusine:
- Seafood donburi at Omicho Market
- Gold leaf-covered soft-serve ice cream
- Top Sights:
- En route, stop at a small town like Gero for a walk or lunch
- Explore the Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa (historic geisha area)
- Explore Kanazawa Castle, and Nagamachi Samurai District
- Visit Kenroku-en Garden (one of Japan’s top 3 gardens)
- Visit the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
- Local Experience: Stay one night at a traditional ryokan with kaiseki dinner in Yamanaka Onsen, a peaceful hot spring town, ~1hr drive from Kanazawa
- Optional: Stroll along the Kakusenkei Gorge trail
- Visit Yamanaka Lacquerware Museum
Days 5–6: Shirakawa-go & Takayama
- Base: Takayama
- Travel Time: Kanazawa→ Takayama ~2 hrs total
- Tip: Drive via Shirakawa-go (~3.5 hours)
- Local Cuisine:
- Hida beef steak dinner, sushi or grilled skewers
- Visit a traditional sweet shop for goheimochi (miso-grilled rice cakes)
- Top Sights:
- Take a short trip to Shirakawa-go: thatched Gassho-style houses (UNESCO site)
- Explore Takayama old town (Sanmachi Suji)
- Browse the morning markets (Miyagawa or Jinya-mae)
- Explore Takayama Jinya (historic government building)
- Take a short trip to Hida no Sato (folk village)
- Relax and wander the charming merchant streets
- Optional: Visit the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
- Local Experience: Sake tasting at local breweries
Days 7–8: Kiso Valley (Nakasendo Trail)
- Base: Kiso Valley (Magome, Tsumago, or Nakatsugawa)
- Travel : Takayama → Kiso Valley(~2.5–3 hrs by car or train)
- Local Cusine:
- Enjoy local dishes like gohei mochi, grilled fish, mountain vegetables
- Tea houses and local bento along the trail
- Top Sights:
- Journey into the Kiso Valley, known for preserved Edo-period towns
- Walk cobblestone paths and take in serene mountain views
- Hike ~8 km on the Nakasendo Trail from Magome to Tsumago
- Forest paths, streams, and preserved Edo-era scenery
- Visit the Tsumago Honjin or Waki-Honjin (historic inns)
- Optional: Explore Tsumago’s post town museum
- Local Experience: Stay at a local minshuku, a Japanese historical post town inn
- Tip: Consider luggage forwarding for hiking ease if you want to stay the night in the next town. There are also local buses between the towns if you want to return after hiking.
Day 9: En route to Kawaguchiko
- Base: Flexible (Narai, Matsumoto, Lake Suwa, or near Fuji Five Lakes)
- Travel: ~2–4 hrs total depending on overnight stop
- Culinary: Try soba or mountain vegetable tempura
- Top sights:
- Visit Narai-juku, another stunning post town on the Nakasendo
- Stop at Suwa Taisha Shrine or Lake Suwa
- Spend the night in the area around Lake Suwa: Experience a quieter town before reaching Fuji region
Days 10–11: Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji Region)
- Base: Kawaguchiko
- Travel : Central Nagano Region → Kawaguchiko (~2–2.5 hrs)
- Local Cuisine:
- Hōtō noodle (thick flat noodles in miso soup)
- Enjoy local cafés with lavender-flavored sweets and drinks
- Top Sights:
- Relax by Lake Kawaguchi with views of Mt. Fuji
- Short hike to Chureito Pagoda for iconic Fuji views
- Visit the Lavender Festival at Oishi Park
- Explore Fuji-Q Highland (for thrill-seekers) or Kubota Itchiku Art Museum
- Rent a paddleboat, or visit the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
- Optional:
- Stay at an onsen ryokan with Mt. Fuji views
- Learn about Mt. Fuji’s significance at the Fujisan World Heritage Center
Day 12: Return to Tokyo
Enjoy a scenic final day. Stop by Gotemba Premium Outlets or a Mt. Fuji viewpoint before heading back to Tokyo via expressway or highway bus (~2.5 hours).
