Hi everyone, planning for a road trip (10days) roadtrip
Would like to hear some advices(places to visit with a car unlike the usual train routes) as it's my second time in Japan (first time road tripping).
27/2 – 1/3 – Tokyo
1 Mar – Tokyo drive to Hakone
⏱ 1.5–2.5 hrs
📏 ~90 km
Hakone to Fuji (day trip)
⏱ 2–3 hrs (without long photo stops)
📏 ~70 km
Route
* Hakone → Gotemba → Fuji Five Lakes loop
Spend 2 nights at Fuji: 1- 3 Mar
ICONIC FUJI SHOTS (Arrival Day)
Chureito Pagoda
* Best before 9am or near sunset
Lake Kawaguchiko
Must-do
* North shore walk
* Still water shots if no wind
Mt Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
Other places to visit:
Famous Lawson
Streets of Fujiyoshida
Lake Saiko
Oishi Park
3 Mar – Fuji to Kyoto
BEST PIT STOP: Shimizu (Sea + Food Reset)
Driving Breakdown
* Yamanakako → Shimizu
⏱ 2–2.5 hrs
* Shimizu → Kyoto
⏱ 3–3.5 hrs
OR
ALTERNATIVE: Hamamatsu (Food-Focused Stop)
Driving Breakdown
* Yamanakako → Hamamatsu: 2.5–3 hrs
* Hamamatsu → Kyoto: 2.5–3 hrs
Why choose this
* Breaks the drive almost perfectly in half
* Famous for Unagi (eel)
* Straightforward city access from expressway
SUMMARY:
3 March – East Kyoto
* Fushimi Inari (Go before 8am or after sunset)
* Kiyomizu-dera (Panoramic Kyoto views. Wooden stage shots go viral. Timing: Late afternoon for softer light)
* Yasaka Pagoda
* Gion at night (Lantern glow, occasional geisha sightings)
4 March – West Kyoto
* Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Arrive 7–8am)
* Okochi Sanso
* Philosopher’s Path (Calm, introspective, “soft life Japan” energy. Early March has plum blossoms)
* Pontocho dinner (Narrow alley energy)
5 March – DAY TRIP:📍Uji Matcha Day
* Byodo-in (On the ¥10 coin. Reflection shots + slow zooms perform well)
* Nakamura Tokichi (Matcha parfai, Matcha sob, Thick ceremonial matcha)
* Tsuen Tea House (Oldest tea house in Japan. Rustic, authentic, less flashy)
* Back to Kyoto by evening
6 Mar – 8 Mar – Osaka
by Aromatic_Thing_838