Japan 10 Days - Alpine Road Trip: Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Takayama & Ghibli Park - April 2026

Lake Kawaguchi

Scenic lake with Mt. Fuji views. Great pit stop on the Tokyo to Matsumoto drive.

Lake Suwa

Halfway stop with a free lakeside onsen foot bath and local miso soft serve.

Matsumoto Castle

One of Japan's original castles. Beautiful at sunset. Walk around the town in the evening.

Shibu Onsen

Atmospheric onsen town near the monkey park. Great for an afternoon stroll after visiting the monkeys.

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Snow monkeys bathing in hot springs. April is childbearing season so they may still be around, but it's hit or miss.

Gofukuji Temple

Kenroku-en

One of Japan's top 3 gardens. Gorgeous in any season. Night illumination sometimes available in spring.

Kanazawa Castle Park

Beautifully restored castle grounds. Check if the night illumination is running during your visit.

Nagamachi Samurai District

Well-preserved samurai quarter with earthen walls and quiet canals. Morning walk recommended.

D.T. Suzuki Museum

Peaceful space designed by Yoshio Taniguchi (MoMA architect). Almost no tourists. Commenter recommendation.

Chirihama Beach Driveway

Drive right on the beach! The only place in Japan where you can drive on sand along the coast. On the way to Noto.

Wakura Onsen

Historic hot spring town on the Noto Peninsula coast.

Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village

Smaller, quieter alternative to Shirakawa-go. Fewer tourists, equally atmospheric.

Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road

Scenic mountain toll road with waterfalls and gorges. Check if open for the season (usually opens late April).

Shirakawa-go

UNESCO World Heritage village with iconic thatched-roof gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Stay overnight for the full experience.

Hida Folk Village

Open-air museum with relocated thatched-roof farmhouses from the Hida region.

Sanmachi Suji

Takayama's atmospheric old town. Sake breweries, Hida beef skewers, and traditional merchant houses.

Hie Shrine

Takayama's main shrine and center of the Spring Takayama Festival (April 14-15). Your Name connection.

Gero Onsen

One of Japan's top 3 onsen towns. Great base for the Takayama Festival, but consider the dark mountain drive back at night.

Ghibli Park

Timed entry at 11 AM. Studio Ghibli theme park in Aichi. Book tickets well in advance.

Magome-juku

Charming post town on the Nakasendo trail. Starting point for the walk to Tsumago.

Narai-juku

The longest of the Nakasendo post towns. Mentioned as a potential stop on the return leg to Tokyo.

Tsumago-juku

Beautifully preserved Nakasendo post town. The walk from Magome takes about 2-3 hours through forest and countryside.

Seto Canal at Hida Furukawa

瀬戸川と白壁土蔵街 The sight of over 1,000 koi swimming through the town is a famous scene in Hida-Furukawa, Gifu Prefecture. This view can only be seen from mid-April to mid-November. More info: https://hida.travel/blogs/japanese-carp-in-hida-furukawa/49 IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-nLC7gPp9q/

Nakamachi Street

中町通り This is the castle town of Matsumoto, where traditional craft shops and various dining establishments line the streets. More info: https://nakamachi.org/en/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmtWzUoyUkY/?img_index=6

Chubee

忠兵衛 It's a restaurant where you can enjoy Hida beef, a specialty of Gifu, as well as authentic natural food prepared using ancestral methods. More info: http://chubee.info/eindex.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClQ081Nyi4O/ #food

Ryokan Kaminaka

旅館かみなか This is a historic architectural-style ryokan in Hida Takayama. It is known as the best-preserved example of a Yukaku building in Japan and is registered as a tangible cultural property. More info: https://www.kaminaka.info/index.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct_iTJ8yc1w/?img_index=3 #ryokan

Coffee Marumo

珈琲 まるも This is a retro café located on Nakamachi Street. Established in 1868, it boasts a long history. More info: https://visitmatsumoto.com/en/spot/marumo/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmtWzUoyUkY/ #cafe

Higashi Chaya District

ひがし茶屋街 This district has flourished since the Edo period and is one of the most beautiful historic streets in japan. With many cafes and shops, visitors can enjoy shopping and dining. More info: https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_10212.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct1Q9KHy_9B/ #architecture

Omicho Market

近江町市場 Ishikawa Prefecture is also famous for its seafood, so if you're looking to enjoy delicious seafood, be sure to visit! More info: https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/restaurants/detail_10030.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct1Q9KHy_9B/?img_index=6 #food

Tateba Tea House

一石栃立場茶屋 A teahouse (rest stop) along the Nakasendo Trail, which has been in use since the Edo period. More info: http://www.kisoji-isan.com/s/en/heritage/34.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtRMcefSTZp/?img_index=3

Oyama Shrine

尾山神社 The gate, which uniquely incorporates Japanese, Chinese, and Western architectural styles, is one of the main tourist attractions in Kanazawa City. More info: https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_50021.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgwa2_Urbc_/?img_index=10 #shrin #architecture

Ogimachijoato Observation Deck(Shirakawago Observation Deck)

荻町城跡 展望台（白川郷展望台） It’s a viewpoint you can reach by walking uphill from the village, offering a panoramic view of Shirakawa-go. More info: https://www.vill.shirakawa.lg.jp/en/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckf4PIeSaLt/ #architecture #nature

Chureito Pagoda

Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces

白米千枚田 More info: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/229/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct1Q9KHy_9B/

Nawashiro

苗代桜 2017: April 17 2023: March 30 http://www.city.gero.lg.jp/kankou/node_7779/node_29741/node_29908/node_30078

Hanamomo no Sato

花桃の里 After the cherry blossoms finish blooming, Hanamomo start to bloom. The best viewing season is from late April to early May for about two weeks, when about 5,000 Hanamomo are full of blooming. More info: https://hirugamionsen.jp/hanamomo/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdDlz2hrJo4/ #flower

21st Century Museum

#architecture

Takayama Jinya

高山陣屋 Places used as government offices during the Edo period are called "jinya," and it seems that Takayama is the only place in Japan where they still exist. More info: https://jinya.gifu.jp/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3U7ahwSOsy/?img_index=6 #architecture