Central Japan 3 Days Itinerary-B

Summary

  • Start
    Nagoya
  • Finish
    Kanazawa
  • Mileage
    Total 600km
    150km per day
  • Travel Pace
    Normal
  • Onsen Stay
    Max.2 nights
  • Recommended Seasons
    All year round

It is a one-way itinerary from Nagoya to Kanazawa. Due to standard mileage, you can travel at a normal pace.

 

Nagoya – Gero

Start: Nagoya (名古屋)
Finish: Gero (下呂)
Mileage:140㎞
Travel Pace: Normal

On this day you are heading from Nagoya to Gero.

Recommended  Itinerary(Sample)

1

Inn in Nagoya

Parking MAPCODE:

What is MAPCODE?

9:00

Today’s mileage is about 140km.




10 min

2

Nagoya Castle

Parking MAPCODE:

4 348 423What is MAPCODE?

Nagoya Castle, symbolized by the golden orca

9:10

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.

Inside the gorgeous Honmaru Goten of Nagoya Castle




40 min

3

Inuyama Castle

Parking MAPCODE:

70 157 834What is MAPCODE?

Inuyama Castle, the oldest castle tower in Japan

10:50

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.




50 min

4

Miyachika

Parking MAPCODE:

289 413 044*37What is MAPCODE?

12:45

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 in a river called Yanaba. Also recommended for children.

Image for sweetfish picking at Yana

Sweetfish picking experience in Miyachika



25 min

5

Gujo Hachiman

Parking MAPCODE:

289 895 728*50What is MAPCODE?

Old streets and waterways of Gujo Hachiman

14:10

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.

Yanaka Mizu no Komichi in Gujo Hachiman




60 min

6

Inn in Gero

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

Gero Onsen, one of the three best springs in Japan

16:40
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.

Hida Takayama’s Local Cuisine – Hoba Miso




There is one of the world’s largest rose gardens, [Gifu World Rose Garden], on the way to the spot on this day. You can enjoy flowers such as roses, sunflowers, and cosmos all year round. The rose season (mid-May-early June, late October-early November) is especially recommended.

One of the world’s largest rose gardens Hana Festa Memorial Park
Driving Map For the Day(Sample)

The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

[Drive Map]Nagoya-Gero – Google マイマップ
Nagoya-Gero

Where to stay in Gero

On this day, you will stay in Gero town(下呂) which is the nationally famous Onsen town. The inns are spread over a wide area around Gero Station.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for Onsen and most of the inns have one.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area and be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.

 

Gero – Takayama🔒

Start: Gero (下呂)
Finish: Takayama (高山)
Mileage:90km
Travel Pace: Relax

On this day you will head from Gero to Takayama.

Recommended  Itinerary

1

Inn in Gero

Parking MAPCODE:

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10:00

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.




80 min

2

Hida Furukawa

Parking MAPCODE:

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Hida Furukawa’s dazzling white-walled storehouse district

11:20

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.”




15 min

3

Utsue 48 Waterfalls

Parking MAPCODE:

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Utsue 48 Falls, which changes its appearance in various ways

12:30

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).




30 min

4

Inn in Takayama

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

Hida Takayama’s Local Cuisine – Hoba Miso

14:00

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.

Hida beef steak




5

Takayama Old Town

Parking MAPCODE:

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If your inn is located far from old town, please use above MAPCODE.

The old town of Takayama.

15:00

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.

Try Takayama Menchikatsu Croquette using Hida Beef
The are many gift shops, restaurants and Sake Brewary in Takayama
Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan, a permanent exhibit of actual Takayama Matsuri floats

Please drop in at [Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan]. The stalls used at the nationally famous Takayama Festival are always on display.




5 min

Driving Map For the Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 sightseeing spots and local restaurants for the day!
You can travel freely, choosing only the spots you like!
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Takayama

On this day, you will stay in Takayama(高山) city which is famous for its old townscape.
Many inns are concentrated between Takayama station and Miyagawa river.

  • Inn Type
    There are a variety of inns like 3-star western-style hotels and 5-star Japanese Ryokans. Please book at your preferred type of inn.
  • Parking
    Luxury Ryokans provides free parking. But middle-range hotels may ask you to park in a nearby public paid parking lot.
  • Onsen
    Many of the inns provide Onsen. However, some western-style hotels don’t have it.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are many restaurants in and around the hotel for dinner, so please make reservations according to your preference.

 

Takayama – Kanazawa🔒

Start: Takayama (高山)
Finish: Kanazawa (金沢)
Mileage:140km
Travel Pace: Normal

You are heading from Takayama to Kanazawa on this day. It is a day to fully enjoy the world heritage Shirakawago and Gokayama, which is the best highlights of Central Japan.

Recommended  Itinerary

1

Inn in Takayama

Parking MAPCODE:

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9:00

The mileage on this day is 140km, which is standard, but if you want to see plenty of Shirakawago Village and Kanazawa City, we recommend that you leave around 9 o’clock.

Miyagawa morning market is open from 7:00.

Speaking of Takayama in the morning, please go to the morning market. Before checking out, please enjoy a walk in [Miyakawa Morning Market] or [Jinyamae Morning Market].




45 min

2

Shirakawago Village

Parking MAPCODE:

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Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage Site where you can enjoy the original landscape of Japan

10:20

The highlights of the day are [Shirakawago Village] and [Gokayama], which are World Heritage Sites. First, head to Shirakawago Village. There is not much to see along the road to Shirakawa-go, so move quickly for about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

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.

Ogimachi Castle Ruins in Shirakawa-go View from the observatory

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!




40 min

It is recommended to drive NOT expressway(E41) but normal route156 from Shirakawago village to Ainokura. The travel time is almost the same and you can drive scenic mountain roads.

There is nice soba restaurant using Gassho style old house and nice for lunch.

Sansai(Mountain begetable) Soba at Shokuro is nice!

3

Ainokura Gassho style Village

Parking MAPCODE:

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Ainokura Gassho style Village

13:30

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.

Aikura Gassho-Zukuri Village, representing the World Heritage Site of Gokayama




60 min

There are not many spots to see from Ainokura to Kanazawa. It is recommended to drive the expressway(E41&E8).

4

Kenrokuen Garden

Parking MAPCODE:

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Kanazawa Kenrokuen Garden, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan

15:30
At the beginning of Kanazawa, let’s visit [Kenrokuen Garden], which is widely known as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. It is a wonderful garden where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons and has been awarded three stars by Michelin Green Guide Japan.

The cherry blossoms (Bgn April) and autumn leaves (Bgn November-End November) in Kenrokuen are especially recommended.

Kanazawa Kenrokuen Garden in autumn (early November-late November)

Next to Kenrokuen, you can walk to [Kanazawa Castle], which was the residence of the feudal lord of this area during the Edo period (1603-1868). It is currently maintained as a park, and the turrets and stone walls make you feel the history.

Beautiful Kanazawa Castle turret




10 min

5

Higashi Chaya District

Parking MAPCODE:

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Savor the atmosphere of the teahouse district at Higashi Chaya-Gai

16:30

If you have time, stop by [Higashi Chaya District]. This is also one of the popular tourist spots in Kanazawa, and you can see the teahouse-style buildings that have been selected as an important traditional buildings preservation district of the country.

Must visit preserved Old Tea House “Shima” in Higashi Chaya District
You can enjoy green tea and Japanese sweets at “Shima” in Higashi Chaya District




10 min

6

Inn in Kanazawa

Parking MAPCODE:

Please head to the hotel you reserved.What is MAPCODE?

18:30

You are staying in Kanazawa on this day. In Kanazawa, there are many restaurants around Kanazawa station. Please try local gourmet food such as high-class fish “Nodoguro”, crab, and Kanazawa oden.

Nodoguro fish
Snow Fish(Kobako gani香箱ガニ) is signature food of Kanazawa




It is not impossible to visit “Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route” on this day. However, in that case, it takes whole day. Please depart Takayama at least 7:00. And in that case, it is difficult to visit Shirakawago Village.

Snow wall in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (mid-April to mid-June)

Driving Map For the Day🔒

The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.

Where to stay in Kanazawa

On this day, you will stay in Kanazawa city(金沢).
The inns are concentrated on the east side of Kanazawa Station.

  • Inn Type
    There are a variety of inns like 3-star western-style hotels and 5-star Japanese Ryokans. Please book at your preferred type of inn.
  • Parking
    Most inns have official parking but in addition to the accommodation fee, the parking lot fee will be charged separately.
  • Onsen
    There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    As many restaurants are open till midnight, it is recommended to book your inns with breakfast only or without meals.

Process

  1. Book hotels or rental cars from the links below.
  2. Submit the “Map Request Form” at the bottom after bookings.
  3. We will send you day-by-day Driving Maps with MAPCODE of the itinerary you choose!
    Enjoy your trip without the hassle of finding parking!

 

Rental Car Booking

Please rent a car with below “Rentalcars.com” link.

  • The abundant number of rental cars
  • Price comparisons with several major car rental companies
  • Free cancellation
*Please change the location and date by yourself
Pick-up & Drop-off Location Guide
  • Pick-up
    • Chubu Centrair International Airport
      The main international airport in Central Japan. Recommended for Pick-up.
      If you arrive after 13:00, consider staying overnight around the airport or in Nagoya and departing the next morning.
      It takes 30-60 min to Nagoya station by train and 45 min by car.
    • Nagoya City
      The capital of Aichi Prefecture and the 3rd biggest city in Japan. Most car rental shops are located around Nagoya Station.
      Nagoya Station, a Shinkansen stop, and downtown Sakae Station are only 5 min by train.
  • Drop-off
    • Kanazawa city
      Recommended for travelers who will take Shinkansen. Most car rental shops are located westside of Kanazawa Station.
    • Komatsu airport
      30km away from Kanazawa city. 70 minutes from Kanazawa by train, 40 minutes by car.
Important reminder for renting a car
  • GPS(Car Navigation System)
    MAPCODE from Drive Japan navigates you precisely to the parking lot. GPS from major car rental companies(Nippon, ORIX, Nissan, Times) are always MAPCODE compatible. However, if you are renting a car from another company, we recommend that you check with the rental company after making a reservation, just to be sure.
  • One-way Rental
    Please note that one-way charge from Nagoya to Kanazawa is about JPY25,000 per car.
  • Child Seat
    In Japan, the use of a child safety seat or baby seat is mandatory for children under 5 years old.
    Be sure to request one from “Extras”.
  • Snow Tire
    If you travel from the end of November to the end of March, you must book a car with snow tires.

Hotel Booking

You can book any hotels for this itinerary from the links below, however we will suggest a recommended mid range
hotel or inn that has:
・Parking
・A convenient location
・A rate of about JPY8,000-15,000/person/night

Start Date

/ stay in Gero
Recommended Inn

Kawakamiya Kasuitei

On this day, you will stay in Gero town(下呂) which is the nationally famous Onsen town. The inns are spread over a wide area around Gero Station.

  • Inn Type
    Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with Onsen facilities.
  • Parking
    Most inns will offer free parking.
  • Onsen
    This town is famous for Onsen and most of the inns have one.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are few restaurants in this area and be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.
/ stay in Takayama
Recommended Inn

Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan Annex

On this day, you will stay in Takayama(高山) city which is famous for its old townscape.
Many inns are concentrated between Takayama station and Miyagawa river.

  • Inn Type
    There are a variety of inns like 3-star western-style hotels and 5-star Japanese Ryokans. Please book at your preferred type of inn.
  • Parking
    Luxury Ryokans provides free parking. But middle-range hotels may ask you to park in a nearby public paid parking lot.
  • Onsen
    Many of the inns provide Onsen. However, some western-style hotels don’t have it.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    There are many restaurants in and around the hotel for dinner, so please make reservations according to your preference.
/ stay in Kanazawa
Recommended Inn

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa

On this day, you will stay in Kanazawa city(金沢).
The inns are concentrated on the east side of Kanazawa Station.

  • Inn Type
    There are a variety of inns like 3-star western-style hotels and 5-star Japanese Ryokans. Please book at your preferred type of inn.
  • Parking
    Most inns have official parking but in addition to the accommodation fee, the parking lot fee will be charged separately.
  • Onsen
    There is no Onsen in this town and no inns have Onsens.
  • Meal Plan Reservations
    As many restaurants are open till midnight, it is recommended to book your inns with breakfast only or without meals.

Map Request Form

Please send us the form once you book hotels or a rental car, and we will send you day-by-day Driving Maps.







Thank you very much! We will send you driving maps with MAPCODE within 4 working days.
Drive Japan team hopes you will experience a fantastic road trip and make unforgettable memory!

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