Itinerary: 8-day road trip in Japan (Spring 2024)

Here’s the itinerary I’ve put together for our upcoming road trip in Japan. If it helps, you can access the itinerary via this link. Note: this road trip is by car, not by train.

• Day 1:
  • Car rental at Sixt (€413 for 9 days)
  • Mount Fuji view from Chureito Pagoda (optional)
  • Ropeway: Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway : 1000yen/person round trip
  • Drive around the lake
  • Lunch at New Akaike (2000yen/person)
  • Mount Fuji view from the Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival (open only in April – May): 1000yen/person
  • Night in Matsumoto (€52/night for two + 1000yen for parking, Booking link)
• Day 2:
  • Visit the exterior of the Matsumoto Castle
  • Visit and lunch at Daio Wasabi Farm (free entry, restaurant: 1760yen/person)
  • Narai-juku : Old houses, shops & souvenirs
  • Night at the ryokan Kazeya (dinner must be reserved in advance, hija beef extra 3500yen, cash payment, €122/room for two, 2 private onsens, Booking link)
• Day 3:
  • Visit Kamikōchi (bridge, river) on foot
  • Visit Takayama and its old town:
    • Sanmachi Suji
    • Funasaka Sake Brewery
    • The houses (and market if open)
  • Night in Takayama
• Day 4:
  • Visit the thatched-roof villages:
    • Shirakawa-go
    • Gokayama (+ Washi Paper Workshop)
  • Visit Kanazawa and its garden Kenroku-en
  • Kaga-Yuzen Kimono Center
  • Night in Kanazawa (with onsen)
• Day 5:
  • Samurai district: Nagamachi House
  • Midday: Tea ceremony (private, must be booked at least 3 days in advance, cash payment)
  • Omicho Market
  • Gold leaf making museum
  • Geisha district: Higashi Chaya District
  • 5:00 PM: Geisha performance (must be booked in advance)
  • Night in Kanazawa (with onsen)
• Day 6: Long drive, early departure
  • Stop at Togakushi Shrine Okusha, a temple in the forest (3.5-hour drive)
  • Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) (on the way)?
  • Arrival at Kusatsu, one of Japan’s most famous onsen towns
  • Night in Kusatsu (with private onsen available)
• Day 7: Kusatsu
  • Onsen
  • Night in Kusatsu (with private onsen available)
• Day 8:
  • Imai Daruma Workshop
  • Ashikaga Flower Park
  • Return to Tokyo (2 hours)