Hi everybody,
We are a Dutch couple (29F 30M) and are planning our 30 day trip to Japan and want to explore the Mount Fuji region and the Japanese Alps for about 7 days.
We are hesitant to rent a car for these days because many buses outside the major cities are not covered in the JR rail pass, which means that costs quickly add up, including many transfers, which makes traveling in this area seem to take a lot of time.
What is a convenient travel route both in terms of travel time and cost?
Places we would like to visit: Mount Fuji region, Takayama, Kamikochi, Nagano, Snow monkey park, onsen in the region and Shirakawago.
Of course we are flexible in the places we like to visit, but we are very curious about your experiences and if you have any tips!
5 comments
The default route would be:
* Tokyo to Fuji Five Lakes via train/bus
* Fuji Five Lakes to Matsumoto (via train), stopping to see the Matsumoto-jo
* Matsumoto to Kamikochi (via bus)
* Kamikochi to Takayama (via bus)
* Takayama to Shirakawa-go (via bus)
* Shirakawa-go to Nagano via Toyama (via bus and train)
* Jigokudani Monkey Park day trip (via bus)
* Nagano to Tokyo (via train)
The problem is that this a week’s worth of hectic itinerary and both Shoryudo and Alpico bus passes are not really that viable for that itinerary.
Also note that Kamikochi and Jigokudani Monkey Park (if you want to actually see the monkeys) are somewhat mutually exclusive – monkeys are typically not there, when Kamikochi is open and Kamikochi is closed for winter.
You’re hesitant to rent a car? Car is the best option for this area. Also like the other poster mentioned. It’s either “snow” monkeys or kamikochi.
Nagano city is kinda boring to be honest, wouldn’t go there.
Just rent a car from tokyo, drive a loop and drop it off in Tokyo again.
Kisokomagadake, Kaikomagatake, or Kitadake would be my recommendation given the time constraints. All of them are accessible by public transportation. You can stay in a mountain hut or visit as a day trip.
You will need like 18 days to check off all of the places on your list, so cutting the list is a must. Costs will also add up quickly if you’re traveling every day from one prefecture to another.
If you want to really experience the Alps you may consider a multi-day hike from Kamikochi.
When are you going?
When are you going? [Kamikochi is closed from Nov 15 to April 15 for winter.](https://www.kamikochi.org) Even in late April/May there may still be some snow and it could be quite cold; especially at night. Summer and fall are the best times for Kamikochi so it kinda depends on your planned dates. Also, the snow monkeys in Nagano are wild animals and may not always be there; especially in warmer weather.
I agree with others that you’d be better off reducing your spots a bit as that’s a lot if ground to cover in 7 days. Part of the beauty of this area is also spending a full day/night enjoying some hiking, the views, and the night stars. If your moving from place to place each day you really won’t get to enjoy it all. If I were you with just 7 days I might just focus on the Alps and skip Mt. Fuji region as it’s kinda out of the way. Ideally, you’d have 7 days for the Alps plus 1 day/night additionally for Fuji.
If summer/fall:
– Day 1: [Take limited express train to Matsumoto.](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6053.html) See one of 12 remaining original construction castles in Japan. For other ideas see the [Visit Matsumoto website.](https://visitmatsumoto.com/en/)
– Spend night in Matsumoto and enjoy dinner/music at Storyhouse Cafe. I haven’t stayed here, but there’s also lodging in Matsumoto that [allows you to try out Japanese archery next door too.](https://www.booking.com/Share-oFPeR4)
– Day 2: [Take morning bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi.](https://www.kamikochi.org/plan/access) Drop luggage off at your lodging and enjoy day hiking around the ponds. Plan to stay 1 night at lodging inside the park. It’s a dark sky park so you’ll see awesome stars ay night if it’s clear. Lots of [accommodation options](https://www.kamikochi.org/plan/accommodation) but we stayed at the [Nishi Itoya Mountain Lodge.](https://www.booking.com/Share-PmjE78)
– Day 3: If you want to do a serious hike of one of the mountains in Kamikochi wake up early and do it today. Or, continue to relax/enjoy the river/day hike paths in the park. In afternoon, take bus to [Okuhida](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5942.html) and plan to spend the night relaxing in [one of the traditional ryokan there.](https://selected-ryokan.com/ryokan/location/okuhida-hot-spring). Enjoy relaxing your muscles in the onsen after your hiking.
– Day 4: After checking out of your ryokan, head to [Shinhotaka Ropeway](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5943.html) if a clear day. When done, take bus to Takayama and checkin to a hotel here for 2 nights. Enjoy dinner at one if the many restaurants in Takayama.
– Day 5: [Enjoy a full day exploring Takayama.](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/mg8ir9/autumn_weekend_in_takayama_gifu_prefecture/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) Spend night in Takayama.
– Day 6: Checkout of Takayama lodging and [take bus to Shirakawago.](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5953.html?aFROM=5900_5950) Explore the village and then [take bus to Kanazawa.](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4208.html?aFROM=2167_5950) Spend night 6 in Kanazawa.
– Day 7: Sightsee in Kanazawa and onwards to your next stop or spend a second night in Kanazawa before moving onwards.
To me, this is what’s doable in a 7 day Alps trip that gives you time to really enjoy Kamikochi and all that this region has to offer. Fuji is that iconic view/photo yes, but if you want jaw dropping mountain scenery the Alps is where you want to focus your time.
If winter/early spring when Kamikochi is still closed, then Fuji makes more sense for an overnight there in Kawaguchiko or Hakone combined with a few night trips to Hakuba or [Nozawa Onsen](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/comments/t33lt8/snow_weekend_in_nozawa_onsen_nagano/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) plus a stop off to see the snow monkeys. If Snow Monkeys, you could spend the night in [Yudanaka/Shibu Onsen](https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/smr/yudanakaonsen/) or there are day trip options from Hakuba that would take you there via van.