Tokyo → Fuji Five Lakes → Yatsugatake → Lake Suwa → Karuizawa → Tokyo

Tokyo → Fuji Five Lakes Distance: ≈ 130 km Driving time: 2½ h Leave Tokyo via the Chūō Expressway and climb gradually toward Mount Fuji, visible long before you reach it. The Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji and Motosu) offer boating, forest trails and mountain reflections. Visit the Arakurayama Sengen Park pagoda for the classic view of Fuji over red roofs, or explore Oishi Park for sunset photos across the lake. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Katsuyama – on Lake Kawaguchi’s shore. Facilities: 24-h toilets, local café and shop, no showers. Nearby onsen: Fuji-Yama Onsen (6 km). Fuji → Yatsugatake Highlands Distance: ≈ 110 km Driving time: 2½ – 3 h Head north on winding roads through Kōfu Basin vineyards to the Yatsugatake Mountains, a plateau of farms and art museums under clear skies. Stop at Kiyosato Terrace for coffee above the clouds or browse the open-air Moeginomura Village for local cheese, bread and beer. Even in summer the evenings are cool and star-filled. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kobuchisawa – right beside the main resort road. Facilities: 24-h toilets, restaurant, market, coin showers, Wi-Fi. Nearby onsen: Hakushu Onsen (11 km). Yatsugatake → Lake Suwa Distance: ≈ 60 km Driving time: 1½ h Descend gently to Lake Suwa, a calm inland lake surrounded by old inns and sake breweries. Visit the four shrines of Suwa Taisha, watch locals fish from the jetties, and taste Suwa’s crisp mountain-water sake. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Shiojiri-Kita – 20 min north of the lake. Facilities: 24-h toilets, local diner, convenience shop, coin showers, parking for RVs. Nearby onsen: Katakurakan Onsen (9 km). Lake Suwa → Karuizawa Distance: ≈ 110 km Driving time: 2½ h Cross wooded passes to Karuizawa, a leafy resort with cafés, cycle paths and cool summer air. See the Stone Church, the Karuizawa Lake Garden, or the designer outlets near the station. In autumn, maple colours line the Usui Pass road. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Karuizawa Oiwake – 10 min from the town centre. Facilities: 24-h toilets, café, shop, no on-site showers. Nearby onsen: Karuizawa Sengataki Onsen (6 km). Karuizawa → Tokyo (return via Usui Pass) Distance: ≈ 150 km Driving time: 3 h Descend past Mount Asama’s lava fields and join the expressway east. If time allows, stop at Mount Takao for a final forest walk before returning your camper.

Driving Summary Leg Distance Time Notes Tokyo → Fuji 130 km 2½ h Mountain view drive Fuji → Yatsugatake 110 km 3 h Vineyards & plateau Yatsugatake → Suwa 60 km 1½ h Short valley run Suwa → Karuizawa 110 km 2½ h Highland roads Karuizawa → Tokyo 150 km 3 h Expressway return Total ≈ 750 km