JJapan Trips

Road trip – Tokyo-Matsumoto-Kanazawa-Takayama in April questions

  • March 22, 2026


Hi all, I'm planning a 10 days road trip with Toyota Rent-a-car from Tokyo to Kanazawa and the surrounding area in April. I have booked all the stays and rented a car and I check if there is anything I should reconsider from your experience.

It is my first time driving in Japan so I'm a little bit nervous, I have obtained an international driver license, ETC card with full coverage package from Toyota Rent-a-car. I plan to bring a car charger for the phone and car holder. Please do let me know if there is any tips or advise around driving.

The main attraction is the Takayama Festival on April 14/15 and I have some specific questions around those days!

Thank you very much!

Edit: Added link to Matsumoto Sakura locations and I want to mention that I have been to Japan a few times so I have experienced Cherry blossom in Tokyko/Kyoto/Osaka and used to the shinkansen/public transit here. I want to try driving around the country this time and experience the remote location that can only reach by car at a leisure time.

Matsumoto – Kanazawa – Takayama (April 7-16)

  • April 07 – Matsumoto – Day 1 
    • Morning: Toyota-rent-car and depart from Tokyo (9AM – 4h drive)
    • Noon: Lake Kawaguchi stop for Mount Fuji viewing
    • Evening: check-in then visit Matsumoto Castle and walk around, dinner
    • Questions: do you have any recommendations for a pit-stop from Tokyo to Matsumoto drive?
  • April 08 – Matsumoto – Day 2
    • Morning: Gofuku-Ji temple
    • Day trip: One of these options
    • Questions: I’m leaning toward a Nagano day trip since I’ll be in Magone/Tsumago Juku on the way back. However, from the research April is the childbearing time of the monkey so I’m not sure if they will be around? Should I just focus on the Cherry blossom sightseeing instead?   
  • April 09 – Kanazawa – Day 1 
    • Morning: Matsumoto to Kanazawa (4h drive)
    • Noon: Lunch somewhere along the way
    • Evening: Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden at night
    • Questions: do you have any recommendations for a pit-stop from Matsumoto to Kanazawa?
  • April 10 – Kanazawa Day 2
    • Morning: walk around samurai district and old town
    • Noon: chill day
    • Evening: nice dinner somewhere
  • April 11 – Kanazawa Day 3
    • Day trip to Noto peninsula (1.5h drive)
    • Point of interests: driving along the coastal line, Wakaru Onsen
  • April 12 – Shirakawa-Go
  • April 13 – Gero Onsen – Takayama Festival Day 1
    • Morning: drive to Takayama (1h drive)
    • Noon: check out Takayama before the festival day
    • Evening: Go to Gero Onsen (1h drive)
    • Point of interest: Hida Waygu beef on stick, Hida Folk Village, Hie shrine (Your Name)
  • April 14 – Gero Onsen – Takayama Festival Day 2
    • Morning: Gero Onsen to Takayama (1h drive/train)
    • Noon: main festival day stay until late night
    • Evening: back to Gero Onsen (1h drive/train)
    • Questions: 
      • Any recommendation to book for a lunch restaurant in Takayama during first day of festival?
      • Would it be wise to take the train from Gero Onsen to Takayama instead of driving because of the crowds? We want to see the night festival progression so we want to stay late into the night and having a card would be easier. However, I'm quite worried about the parking situation during the festival and research seems to show different opinions on this.
  • April 15 – Magome and Ghibli Park
    • Morning: Drive from Gero Onsen to Ghibli Park
    • Noon: Ghibli Park at 11AM
    • Evening: stay the night at Magome
    • Point of interest: Square ENIX PopUp CAFE
  • April 16 – Tokyo
    • Morning: Nakasendo trail from Magome Juku to Tsumago Juku
    • Noon: drive back to Tokyo (5h drive)
    • Evening: return car by 8pm
  • April 17 – Home bound
    • Morning: pack and chill
    • Noon: fly back at 3pm

by PyratBoy