Background info: We are traveling to Japan for the first time from 11/5-11/12. Two couples in mid-20s, well traveled and have driven in other countries. None of us speak Japanese. We want to have a mix of nature and city especially as it will be autumn. The car is mainly for freedom to get to those harder-to-reach places.
Here's the plan:
Tue 11/5 – 3 PM Land in NRT, Private car transport to hotel in Hakone (already booked this at a really good rate to split amongst 4). Have dinner near the hotel. Night in Hakone.
Wed 11/6 – Pick up rental car from Toyota Rental Car in the morning (also buying the Central Nippon expressway pass) & explore Fuji area including taking small hike to Chureito Pagoda and visiting Oshino Hakkai. Night in the same Hakone hotel.
Thu 11/7 – Drive to Takayama with stops in Matsumoto to visit the castle and wander around for lunch and then another stop at Kamikochi to see the Kappabashi and walk a bit. Hoping to get to Takayama in the early evening to explore the old town and find some good Hida beef restaurant and sake. Night in Takayama.
Fri 11/8 – Head to Kanazawa with a stop in Shirakawa-go on the way. We'll leave car at Toyota Rental Car in Kanazawa, and explore Omicho Market, samurai district, and maybe see a Geisha show. Night in Kanazawa.
Sat 11/9 – Morning Shinkansen to Tokyo. Hotel for the rest of the trip is in Ueno so we'll spend the first day in the Ueno/Asakusa area.
Sun 11/10 – On this day we're going to check out Shibuya & Shimo-kitazawa for some leisurely shopping. At night we'll go to Shinjuku & Omoide Yokocho.
Mon 11/11 – Morning at Tsujiki outdoor market, imperial palace, roppongi, and leaving the evening to go back to any of our favorite spots for our last night.
Tue 11/12 – This morning we'll probably stay in the Ueno area for some last minute shopping and then head over to the airport via Keisei skyliner for a 5pm flight out of NRT.
My main question is whether the first half of the trip looks reasonable, or if there are any other routes you would suggest for a first timer. It is a little more expensive to leave the car at a different point than we pick it up, however, I feel that it gives us a lot more flexibility. Alternate routes I've already thought of would be to get to Takayama a longer way through the Kiso Valley instead of toward Matsumoto or to stay both nights in Matsumoto and do day trips from there to Takayama and maybe Nagano (Snow Monkey Park).
Thank you in advance!
by ExaminationNo444