Road trip in the Japanese Alps

You take the road towards Mount Fuji. At the wheel of your rental car, you reach the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, approximately one hundred kilometers west of Tokyo. This area offers beautiful views of the famous volcano, whose distinctive silhouette dominates the surrounding landscapes and represents one of Japan's iconic images.
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Several options are available to you to enjoy the landscapes around Mount Fuji, depending on your energy and preferences. You can rent a bike to cycle around the lake in search of different viewpoints, or climb the 400 steps leading to the Chureito Pagoda, known for its clear panoramic views of the region.

For a more relaxing option, a cable car also allows you to reach the heights of Mount Kachi-Kachi, from where the view embraces the lake and surrounding landscape.

Another emblematic site in the region, the Ichiku Kubota Art Kimono Museum pays tribute to this artist who devoted his life to reviving the traditional kimono dyeing technique called Tsujigahana. The museum stands out as much for the richness of its works as for its natural environment and unique architecture, which fully contribute to the atmosphere of the place.

A few kilometers away, the village of Oshino offers an atmosphere from another time. Its traditional houses display ancient agricultural tools and elements related to the samurai world, while the silhouette of Mt Fuji dominates the landscape in the background.

You end the day in a Ryokan, traditional Japanese inns, a traditional Japanese inn. You dine there before spending the night in the local manner, on futons laid out on tatamis.

Today, you're heading to Matsumoto, in the heart of the Japanese Alps. The city captivates with its mountain setting, peaceful atmosphere and pleasant streets to explore.
Its symbol is the castle nicknamed the "Black Crow", recognizable by its dark silhouette. Built at the end of the 16th century, it houses one of the oldest wooden keeps preserved in Japon and is classified as a national treasure.

The lively Nakamachi district, located nearby, brings together cafés, shops and galleries housed in 19th-century warehouses.

Several other visits are available to you depending on your interests. Culture enthusiasts can discover the Ukiyo-e Museum, dedicated to prints from the Edo period. On the nature side, Koboyama Park is particularly appealing at cherry blossom time, while visiting a vast wasabi farm allows you to experience an emblematic crop of the region.

You head back on the road towards Takayama or Hida. After approximately two hours through mountainous terrain, you arrive in this charming wooden-house village, renowned for its craft heritage. You stroll through it at a leisurely pace, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and the mountainous setting that surrounds the town.

You discover this former feudal and historic town by immersing yourself in local life. The Jinyamae morning market, set up opposite the former administrative residence, and the Miyagawa market, along the river, offer a vibrant glimpse of craftsmanship and regional products.

The tour continues into the historic center, where numerous buildings from the Edo period remain. You can observe former administrative residences, merchant houses as well as the exhibition hall of the local festival floats.

To expand your discovery, you head to the small neighboring town of Hida-Furukawa by train, in about fifteen minutes. There, bike rentals allow you to leisurely explore a rural landscape and the peaceful streets of the locality.

This morning, we're heading to the idyllic villages of Shirakawa and Ogimachi. The charm of these bucolic localities is enhanced by their traditional houses. Unique in their kind, these gasshô-zukuri buildings with thatched roofs were designed to withstand a significant amount of snow. Nestled in the heart of the Japanese Alps, these bicentennial constructions are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Once, the local economy was based notably on silk worm farming as well as on the production of Enshō, a component used in the manufacturing of gunpowder. The visit of the Wada family residence allows us to illustrate this past prosperity, this family having built its wealth through the trade of this resource.

Nearby, in the Gokayama region, you discover other traditional villages, smaller and generally less frequented. The hamlet of Suganuma, nestled in a river meander, retains a marked rural atmosphere. More isolated in the mountains, the village of Ainokura stands out for its preserved natural environment, pleasant to explore in any season.

You dine and spend the night in Ainokura, in a traditional thatched-roof house.

You head towards the coast in the direction of Kanazawa, a city facing the Sea of Japan. This ancient city stands out for the richness of its craft heritage. It is renowned for several traditional crafts, among which Kaga-nui embroidery, Yuzen silk dyeing, gold leaf work, Wagasa umbrella manufacturing or various local objects and toys.

On site, you discover several emblematic sites: Nagamachi, known for its samurai district, its narrow alleys and ochre-colored earth walls, as well as the Nomura family house and the famous Kenrokuen garden.

You also pass through Omicho and its fish market, then through Higashi Chaya, renowned for its geisha district and its ancient tea houses.

As night falls, you can discover local flavors around a seafood dish, notably crab, a specialty renowned in the region.

Today, you head south towards Kyoto by car. The drive allows you to stop in the Fukui region, often outside the main itineraries as it is not served by the shinkansen.
Yet, the coastline there offers beautiful beaches, and the region is also home to the Eihei Temple, founded in the 13th century. Surrounded by a dense cedar forest, this site is one of the major centers of Zen Buddhism in Japon and preserves a particularly serene atmosphere.

Upon your arrival in Kyoto, the former imperial capital, you begin to discover the places that have marked the city's history. You notably visit Kiyomizu Temple, the pure water temple perched on a hillside, then the Higashiyama district and its shops, before walking through the traditional streets of Gion district.
You continue towards the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of red torii gates forming a path that crosses the mountain.

In the evening, you make your way to Pontocho Street in Kyoto to dine in a traditional restaurant. Along the way, a stroll along the Kamo River provides a pleasant setting. With a bit of luck, you may spot maikos, apprentice geishas, heading to their engagements.

Today, you devote the day to Nara. Located approximately 40 minutes from Kyoto, this city was one of the first capitals of Japon in the 8th century and is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
You visit in particular the imposing Tōdai Temple, located in the heart of a vast park where numerous deer roam freely.

You can then take a break in the Japanese garden of Isuien or head to the Kasuga Taisha Nara temple, historically linked to the powerful Fujiwara family.

Return by train to Kyoto.

As night falls, you can discover teppanyaki. This type of meal takes place in front of a heated plate where the chef prepares meat, vegetables and other ingredients, sometimes Kobe beef, before your eyes. The experience is as much visual as it is gustatory.

Depending on your departure time, you can take advantage of the morning for some last souvenir shopping.

You then head to the international airport ofOsaka by train (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes of travel), before boarding your return flight, with images of your trip to Japon in mind. ✈️🇯🇵