Central Japan 5 Days Itinerary-D

９：００

Today’s mileage is about 140km.

９：１０

The first destination is [Nagoya Castle], which is famous for the golden Shachihoko(imaginary creature) statue on the roof. Nagoya Castle is recommended not only for its huge and majestic exterior but also for its interior, such as the ceiling and fusuma paintings inside the Honmaru Palace.

１０：５０

Next, you will head to [Inuyama Castle] on the south bank of the Kiso River. Inuyama Castle is known as the original castle tower, and Japan’s oldest castle tower is designated a national treasure. On the way from the parking lot to the castle, there is also Haritsuna Shrine and Sanko Inari Shrine with red torii gates, so you can enjoy a walk.

１２：４５

After visiting the Inuyama Castle, why not stop by a restaurant called [Miyachika], which boasts natural Gujo sweetfish, for lunch? The front glass is wide and open, and the feeling of liberation is outstanding. From the beginning of August to the end of October, you can also experience picking sweetfish on a bamboo gimmick called Yanaba in Nagaragawa river. Also recommended for children.

１４：１０

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.

１６：４０
On this day you are staying at Gero Onsen. Here, enjoy Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture, which is called one of “the best three springs in Japan” along with Arima in Hyogo Prefecture and Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture. Local gourmet foods such as Hida beef, Hoba miso, and soba are also attractive.

１０：００

The mileage is as short as 90km, so it is a day when you can travel comfortably.

In the east of Gero Onsen Town, the [Ideyu Morning Market] is held every morning from mid-March to early December, so nice to stop by.

１１：２０

The first destination is [Hida Furukawa] town after passing Takayama. This is the Town of White-Walled Storehouses. There isn’t much to see along the road to Hida Furukawa, so let’s move around for about 1 hour and 20 minutes without stopping.

You can enjoy a leisurely stroll while gazing at the traditional white-walled storehouses that stand along the river. Hida Furukawa Station is also famous as the setting for the anime “Your Name.”

１２：３０

Next, we recommend going to [Utsue Forty-eight Waterfall]. The various waterfalls are wonderful, and in the fall you can enjoy the collaboration between the waterfall and the autumn leaves (mid-October-early November).

１４：００

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, let’s 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.

７：００

The mileage is as long as 200km, and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route requires about 5-9 hours. We recommend that you leave as early in the morning as possible and leave by about 8 o’clock at the latest.

８：３０

On the way to Tateyama, there is [Jinzukyo Gorge] where you can enjoy the beauty of the gorge created by the flow of the Jinzu River. The fresh green of spring and the autumn leaves (late October-late November) are especially beautiful and recommended stopover spots.

９：３０

You will reach the biggest highlight of the day, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Please park at the Tateyama station and set off on a trip along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. You can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the mountains of the Northern Alps, Mikurigaike pond, and alpine plants. Speaking of the alpine route, “Yuki-no-Otani” (snow wall) is very famous, which approaches about 20m in height and is very powerful.

The Alpine Route is a road that connects Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture to Ogisawa in Nagano Prefecture with six types of vehicles such as cable cars, but it takes too long to complete the itinerary for this day when going to the Nagano side. It is recommended that you park at Tateyama Station, the first station of the cable car, transfer vehicles, go to Murodo or Daikanbo and return to Tateyama Station.

１６：３０

After enjoying the nature of Tateyama, head to Zuiryuji Temple, which has a majestic and beautiful appearance where the financial strength of the former feudal lord can be seen.

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.

９：００

The mileage is 170km, which is a little long, but the Expressway section is fast, so you can enjoy it without rushing.

１０：２０

The first destination is [Shirakawago Village]. There is not much to see along the road to Shirakawa-go, so take the Expressway (E41) and move quickly for about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

In Shirakawago Village, general vehicles are not allowed to enter the center of the village. Please park your car in the Village-run 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 typical houses, so be sure to visit them.

The Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory on the hill is a great spot with a panoramic view of Shirakawago Village. You can go on foot or by car, so be sure to visit.

１２：３０

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

１４：３０

After enjoying the World Heritage Sites, head to Kanazawa, a small Kyoto in the Hokuriku region. It’s about 45km, 1 hour drive. At the beginning of Kanazawa, please go to [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, there is [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 important traditional buildings preservation district of the country.

１７：３０

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

９：００

The recommendation for this day is a drive from Kanazawa to Fukui. In that case, the mileage is relatively long at 180km, so it is recommended to leave by about 9 o’clock at the latest. Also, use the expressway(E8) as much as possible to shorten your travel time.

１０：００

After leaving Kanazawa, head to Natadera Temple, which has a strange rock formation like a landscape painting and many important cultural properties. It is a historic temple surrounded by beautiful rocky mountains and flowers of the four seasons. It is especially known as a spot for autumn leaves, and in the fall, the autumn leaves and rocky mountains collaborate to create a stunning landscape.

１１：３０

Next to Natadera Temple, please go to [Kaga Fruits Land] where you can mow fruits all year round even though it is in the frigid Hokuriku region in winter. You can enjoy various fruit picking depending on the season, such as strawberries, cherries, and blueberries.

１４：００

The final destination of the day is [Tojinbo], which is known for its representative scenery of Fukui. You will be overwhelmed by the wonder that the columnar cliffs protruding into the Sea of Japan continue for more than 1km. There is also a promenade, and you can see Tojinbo from a sightseeing boat.

１７：００
This is the end of the road trip.
①Returning a car at Kanazawa Station
Please refuel and return the car to the car rental company branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map for the nearest gas stations near Kanazawa Station. For those who take Shinkansen, please return your car at least 1 hour before your train.

②Returning a car at Komatsu Airport
For those who use Komatsu Airport, the airport is about 35km from Kanazawa Station and about 40 minutes by expressway.
Please use the MAPCODE of the nearest car rental company branch and gas station on the driving map. The staff will bring you from the branch to the airport by free shuttle bus. Make sure you arrive at the car rental company branch 2 hours before your flight.