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The Japanese Alps run through the middle of Honshu, with thatched villages, old merchant towns and post towns that have barely changed in two centuries. Trains and buses link them slowly; by car you drive a loop from Nagoya in six days, over mountain passes and along the old Nakasendo road.
At a glance
- Start and finish
- Nagoya
- Distance
- About 550 km
- Days
- 6
- Driving per day
- Mostly 1.5 to 2 hours
- Highlights
- Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Matsumoto Castle, Tsumago and Magome
- Best time
- April to May and October to November
The route day by day
The loop runs clockwise: north to Shirakawa-go and Takayama first, then over the mountains to Matsumoto and back south through the Kiso Valley. Distances are by road; the times are driving time without stops. The map shows the route and the numbered stops.
Day 1: Nagoya to Gujo Hachiman via Inuyama
About 85 km and 1.5 hours. Stop at Inuyama Castle (1), one of Japan's twelve original castle keeps, on a hill above the Kiso River. Then drive into the mountains to Gujo Hachiman (2), a town of clear streams running along the streets and under the houses. Make your own plastic food sample in one of the workshops, and stay the night.
Day 2: Gujo Hachiman to Takayama via Shirakawa-go
About 140 km and 2 hours. The expressway climbs north to Shirakawa-go (3), where the steep thatched gassho houses of Ogimachi are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Park at the large car park across the river and walk over the suspension bridge; the viewpoint above the village gives the classic view. In the afternoon, drive on to Takayama (4).
Day 3: Takayama
A day in town, with the car parked. Start at the morning markets by the river, then walk the merchant streets of Sanmachi with their dark wooden houses and sake breweries. Hida no Sato, an open-air museum of old farmhouses, is a short drive away. Try Hida beef for dinner.
Day 4: Takayama to Matsumoto via Shin-Hotaka
About 120 km and 2 hours over the mountains. Drive east into Okuhida, the hot spring area at the foot of the Northern Alps, and take the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway (5), a double-decker cable car that climbs to a viewpoint above 2,000 metres. Continue through the Abo tunnel to Matsumoto. Kamikochi, the famous mountain valley on the way, is closed to private cars: park at Sawando and take the bus in. The valley is open from mid-April to mid-November.
Day 5: Matsumoto to Magome via the Kiso Valley
About 110 km and 2 hours, plus time on foot. In the morning, visit Matsumoto Castle (6), a black original keep with the Alps behind it. Drive south into the Kiso Valley to Narai (7), a long post town on the Nakasendo, the old road between Kyoto and Edo. Continue to Tsumago (8) and Magome (9). The old trail between them is about 8 kilometres and takes 2 to 3 hours through forest and past waterfalls; a local bus takes you back to the car. Stay the night in a traditional inn.
Day 6: Magome to Nagoya
About 85 km and 1.5 hours. The expressway takes you back to Nagoya in time for an afternoon train or flight.
Adding Kanazawa
With an extra day, add Kanazawa. From Shirakawa-go it is about an hour north to the gardens and samurai streets of Kanazawa; see car hire in Kanazawa for the day trips there.
Car hire for this road trip
Pick up the car in Nagoya and return it there at the end of the loop. Flying in? Chubu Centrair Airport is about 40 minutes south of the city. Car hire in Nagoya has the other pick-up points and more about driving there.
Car hire prices in Nagoya
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya city | €548 | €679 | €822 |
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 12 November 2026. About this price
Included in the price
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence held for at least 1 year, plus an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation instead.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name. The desk holds the deposit on it.
- Deposit
- Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), depending on the car.
- Driver age
- 18 or older. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Included with every car.
Driving in the Japanese Alps
The rules for all of Japan are under Driving in Japan. On this route, these are the things to know.
Mountain roads
The roads between Takayama and Matsumoto climb steeply, with long tunnels and hairpin bends. Use a low gear on the descents and drive in daylight. Fill up in the towns; between them, petrol stations can be far apart.
Winter
From about December to March, snow is common in the mountains. Ask for winter tyres at the desk and check the roads before you set out. Shirakawa-go and Takayama are beautiful under snow, but allow extra time for every drive.
Parking in the old towns
Takayama, Matsumoto and the post towns are best explored on foot. Use the paid car parks on the edge of the old streets; many inns have their own parking.
Best time for the Japanese Alps
April and May, with spring blossom in the valleys, and October and November, with the autumn colours, are the best seasons. Summer is cool in the mountains compared with the cities. In winter the villages lie under deep snow and the roads need care.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire cost for the Japanese Alps road trip?
Car hire in Nagoya starts at €548 a week for a small car, €679 for a mid-size car and €822 for a large car or SUV, fully insured with everything included. You pick up and return the car in Nagoya. Updated 12 November 2026.
Do I need a credit card?
Yes, a credit card in the main driver’s name. The desk holds a deposit on it: up to about €284 (50,000 yen), depending on the car.
How long is the Japanese Alps road trip?
About 550 km from Nagoya and back. Plan 6 days, or 7 with a day in Kanazawa.
Can I drive to Kamikochi?
No. Kamikochi is closed to private cars. Park at Sawando on the Matsumoto side and take the shuttle bus in; the valley is open from mid-April to mid-November.
Can I walk from Magome to Tsumago with a car?
Yes. Park in one of the two towns, walk the 8 km trail to the other and take the local bus back to the car.