Central Japan 7 Days Itinerary-B

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Today’s mileage is about 140km.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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).

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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.

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

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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!

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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.

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

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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”.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The mileage is as short as 100km, but it’s better to leave early to enjoy Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route fully.

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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.

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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.

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It takes about 15km to Matsumoto. Please go back to the same inn. Please spend a relaxing time.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.