JJapan Trips

Rural road trip suggestions

  • January 23, 2026

I've been to Japan twice, but never left the city I was staying in. I was in Toyko and Fukuoka. I'd like to go back this fall and mostly visit the countryside and maybe make some day trips into cities. I'll be flying into Tokyo and staying about 2 weeks. I don't want to waste my entire trip in the car, so I'll be staying in each location for a few days and not straying too far from Tokyo.

I had chatGPT come up with a basic intinerary. Is this decent to base the trip on or should I go a completely different direction?

Tokyo → Alps → Hokuriku → Kansai (Nara) → Alps → Fuji → Tokyo

DAY 1 — Tokyo (Arrival Only)

🛏️ 1 night

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DAYS 2–4 — Takayama (Japanese Alps) 🍁

🚗 Tokyo → Takayama (~5 hrs total)

  • Scenic drive breaks (recommended):

  • Suwa Lake (coffee + lakeside walk)

  • Narai-juku (beautiful preserved post town)

  • Hida countryside viewpoints

  • Base: Takayama (3 nights)

In town

  • Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)

  • Morning markets (quietest early)

  • Sake breweries (short tastings)

Day trips

  • Hida Folk Village (excellent in fall)

  • Shirakawa-go (early morning or late afternoon)

  • Easy forest walks outside town

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DAYS 5–6 — Kanazawa 🍂

🚗 Takayama → Kanazawa (~2 hrs)

Scenic stops en route:

  • Shirakawa-go (if not done earlier)

  • Hakusan foothills

  • Rural onsen villages

  • Base: Kanazawa (2 nights)

In town

  • Kenrokuen Garden (early morning)

  • Nagamachi Samurai District

  • Kanazawa Castle grounds

  • Omicho Market (seafood)

Optional day trip

  • Noto Peninsula (coastal drive, villages, sea views)

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DAYS 7–8 — Nara 🍁

🚗 Kanazawa → Nara (~4.5 hrs)

Scenic stop:

  • Hikone Castle (excellent alternative to Kyoto crowds)

Base: Nara (2 nights)

Must-see

  • Tōdai-ji (Great Buddha)

  • Nara Park (go early or near sunset)

  • Kasuga Taisha lantern paths

Extra

  • Naramachi historic neighborhood

  • Short forest trails behind Kasuga

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DAYS 9–10 — Matsumoto & Kamikōchi 🍁

🚗 Nara → Matsumoto (~4.5 hrs)

Scenic stop:

  • Kiso Valley (Magome or Tsumago post towns)

Base: Matsumoto (2 nights)

In town

  • Matsumoto Castle (morning light best)

  • Old merchant streets

Day trip

  • Kamikōchi Valley (one of Japan’s best walks)

  • Flat, spectacular, crystal rivers

  • Aim to go before Nov 10 (seasonal closure)

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DAYS 11–12 — Hakone (Onsen Reset) 🍂

🚗 Matsumoto → Hakone (~3.5 hrs)

Scenic drive:

  • Mountain roads through Yamanashi

  • Fuji views on clear days

Base: Hakone (2 nights)

Focus

  • Ryokan + onsen

  • Hakone Open-Air Museum

  • Lake Ashi boat

  • Ropeway (weather permitting)

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DAYS 13–14 — Kawaguchiko (Fuji Finale) 🍁

🚗 Hakone → Kawaguchiko (~1.5 hrs)

Base: Kawaguchiko (2 nights)

Highlights

  • Momiji Tunnel (classic fall scene)

  • Lakeside walking paths

  • Fuji sunrise viewpoints

  • Small museums / cafés

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DAY 15 — Return to Tokyo

🚗 Kawaguchiko → Tokyo (~2 hrs)

by PlasmaWhore