Tokyo → Matsumoto → Kamikōchi → Takayama → Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa → Hakone → Tokyo

Tokyo → Nagano (Snow Monkey Country) Distance: 230 km Driving time: ~3 h 30 min Head north-west from Tokyo towards Nagano Prefecture, following the Chūō Expressway and then Route 18 through rolling farmland. Nagano is surrounded by temples, forests and hot springs. Visit Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest pilgrimage sites, or detour to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where wild snow monkeys bathe in natural hot pools (best from November to April). Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Shinshu-Shinmachi – 25 min west of central Nagano. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, souvenir shop, parking for large vehicles, no showers on site (public baths nearby). Nearby onsen: Matsushiro Onsen (10 km). Nagano → Kamikōchi (via Matsumoto and Azusa Valley) Distance: 80 km Driving time: ~2 h Drive south towards Matsumoto, then follow the Azusa River Valley to the foot of the Japan Alps. Private cars aren’t allowed inside Kamikōchi itself, but campervans can stay near the access points at Hirayu Onsen or Sawando. This alpine valley is one of Japan’s most beautiful walking areas, with trails leading to clear rivers, suspension bridges and views of Mount Hotaka. Overnight stop: Hirayu Onsen Michi-no-Eki (Okuhida Onsen-go) – legal camper overnight area, 5 km from Kamikōchi bus gate. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, food stalls, souvenir shop, coin showers (07:00–21:00), hot-spring baths next door. Nearby onsen: Hirayu-no-Mori (adjacent) – outdoor forest baths. Kamikōchi → Takayama (Hida region) Distance: 50 km Driving time: ~1 h 15 min Cross the tunnel through the Alps to Takayama, a preserved Edo-period town with wooden streets and morning food markets. Visit Takayama Jinya, Sanmachi Historic District, and one of the many small sake breweries for tastings. The local Hida beef is among Japan’s best — grilled or served as sushi. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Hida-Takayama – just outside the city. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, farmers’ market, coin showers, EV chargers. Nearby onsen: Hida Takayama Onsen Hida no Yu (4 km). Takayama → Shirakawa-go Distance: 50 km Driving time: ~1 h 15 min Take the Hida Tunnel north into the mountain valleys of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO-listed village of steep thatched farmhouses surrounded by rice fields. Visit the Gasshō-zukuri open-air museum, or walk up to the viewpoint above Ogimachi village. Evenings are particularly atmospheric when the lights come on and smoke rises from the old chimneys. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Shirakawa-go – 5 minutes from the historic village. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, souvenir shop, coin showers, free Wi-Fi. Nearby onsen: Shirakawa-go no Yu (1 km) – riverside hot spring open to day visitors. Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa Distance: 75 km Driving time: ~1 h 45 min Follow the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway through the mountains and down to the Japan Sea coast. Kanazawa offers a blend of samurai history and modern design, centred around Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s also one of Japan’s best food cities — fresh seafood from the coast, small izakaya bars, and excellent markets. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kanazawa Kurikara – on the eastern edge of the city, easy access by local bus or taxi. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, souvenir shop, no showers. Nearby onsen: Yuwaku Onsen (12 km) – quiet mountain spa district. Kanazawa → Suwa (Nagano) Distance: 240 km Driving time: ~4 h 30 min The return journey passes through Toyama and Nagano’s lake district. Stop in Tateyama for a cable car into the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route (May–October only) or detour via Lake Suwa, a wide inland lake ringed by bathhouses and breweries. You can even visit the Suwa Taisha Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Shiojiri-Kita – midway between Suwa and Matsumoto. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, local restaurant, convenience store, coin showers, parking area. Nearby onsen: Katakurakan Onsen (9 km). Suwa → Tokyo Distance: 200 km Driving time: ~3 h 30 min Return to Tokyo along the Chūō Expressway. You can pause at Lake Sagami or the Mount Takao cable car for a final walk before re-entering the capital and returning your van to Tokyo Campers.

Tokyo → Matsumoto Approx. 230 km · 4–5 hours Matsumoto → Kamikōchi Approx. 70 km · 2–2½ hours Kamikōchi → Takayama Approx. 90 km · 2½–3 hours Takayama → Shirakawa-go Approx. 50 km · 1½ hours Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa Approx. 80 km · 2 hours Kanazawa → Hakone Approx. 350 km · 5½–6½ hours Hakone → Tokyo Approx. 120 km · 2½–3 hours