Tokyo → Kanazawa → Kyoto → Osaka → Nara → Nagoya → Tokyo

Route 4 – Cherry Blossom Capitals Tokyo → Kanazawa → Kyoto → Osaka → Nara → Nagoya → Tokyo Google Map - Route 4 Overview This route follows the spring blossom line across central Japan, linking the classic cherry-viewing spots of Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. It balances city exploration with peaceful drives, staying at convenient Michi-no-Eki sites close to each major area. Covering around 1,100 km, it’s ideal for a 12–14 day itinerary, or slightly longer if you prefer to linger in Kyoto and Osaka. The best season is late March to mid-April, though the route is equally rewarding in autumn for red maples and cooler weather. Tokyo → Kanazawa Distance: 470 km Driving time: ~6 h Take the Kan-Etsu and Hokuriku Expressways through the Japan Alps, passing Nagano’s apple orchards and Toyama’s river valleys. Kanazawa is a compact city rich in Edo-period architecture, gardens, and art. Visit Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya tea district, and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kanazawa Kurikara – easy access from the expressway, 20 min to the city. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, EV chargers, souvenir shop, no showers. Nearby onsen: Yuwaku Onsen (12 km). Kanazawa → Kyoto Distance: 260 km Driving time: ~4 h Head south across Lake Biwa and into Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart. In spring, cherry trees line the Philosopher’s Path and bloom around Kiyomizu-dera, Heian Shrine, and Maruyama Park. Evenings in Gion reveal lantern-lit tea houses and quiet riverside walks along Ponto-chō. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu (Shiga) – on the eastern side of Lake Biwa, 30 min to central Kyoto by train or car. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, shop, no showers (sentō nearby). Nearby onsen: Ogoto Onsen (13 km). Kyoto → Osaka Distance: 55 km Driving time: ~1 h 15 min Drive along the Keiji Bypass to Osaka, Japan’s lively second city. Spring brings blossoms to Osaka Castle Park and the riversides of Kema Sakuranomiya Park, while evenings are perfect for exploring Dōtonbori’s street food and neon lights. Overnight stop: RV Park Osaka Maishima – near Universal Studios and the bay area. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, power supply. Nearby onsen: Maishima Yurari Onsen (on site). Osaka → Nara Distance: 40 km Driving time: ~1 h Head east through Yamato’s rolling countryside to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital. Nara Park and Mount Wakakusa are lined with cherry trees that bloom in early April, and deer roam freely around Tōdai-ji Temple and Kasuga Shrine. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Hari Terrace – on Route 25, 20 min north of Nara Park. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, EV chargers, coin showers, local produce market. Nearby onsen: Nara Kenko Land (10 km). Nara → Nagoya Distance: 130 km Driving time: ~2 h 15 min Take the Meihan Expressway to Nagoya, known for Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine, and its distinctive food – miso katsu, hitsumabushi (eel rice), and kishimen noodles. The Yamazaki River Park is one of Japan’s top cherry blossom spots, with over 600 trees arching over the riverside walkways. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Owari Ichinomiya – 25 min from Nagoya Castle. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, bakery, no showers. Nearby onsen: Nagoya Moriyama Onsen (14 km). Nagoya → Tokyo Distance: 350 km Driving time: ~5 h 30 min Return to Tokyo via the Chūō Expressway, with optional stops at Lake Suwa, Mount Fuji’s northern lakes, or Mount Takao for a final short hike before re-entering the capital. Optional stop: Michi-no-Eki Narusawa – between Fuji and Tokyo. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, local food hall, coin showers, Fuji views. Nearby onsen: Yurari Onsen (2 km).

Route 4 – Cherry Blossom Capitals Tokyo → Kanazawa → Kyoto → Osaka → Nara → Nagoya → Tokyo Google Map - Route 4 Overview This route follows the spring blossom line across central Japan, linking the classic cherry-viewing spots of Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. It balances city exploration with peaceful drives, staying at convenient Michi-no-Eki sites close to each major area. Covering around 1,100 km, it’s ideal for a 12–14 day itinerary, or slightly longer if you prefer to linger in Kyoto and Osaka. The best season is late March to mid-April, though the route is equally rewarding in autumn for red maples and cooler weather. Tokyo → Kanazawa Distance: 470 km Driving time: ~6 h Take the Kan-Etsu and Hokuriku Expressways through the Japan Alps, passing Nagano’s apple orchards and Toyama’s river valleys. Kanazawa is a compact city rich in Edo-period architecture, gardens, and art. Visit Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya tea district, and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kanazawa Kurikara – easy access from the expressway, 20 min to the city. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, EV chargers, souvenir shop, no showers. Nearby onsen: Yuwaku Onsen (12 km). Kanazawa → Kyoto Distance: 260 km Driving time: ~4 h Head south across Lake Biwa and into Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart. In spring, cherry trees line the Philosopher’s Path and bloom around Kiyomizu-dera, Heian Shrine, and Maruyama Park. Evenings in Gion reveal lantern-lit tea houses and quiet riverside walks along Ponto-chō. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu (Shiga) – on the eastern side of Lake Biwa, 30 min to central Kyoto by train or car. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, shop, no showers (sentō nearby). Nearby onsen: Ogoto Onsen (13 km). Kyoto → Osaka Distance: 55 km Driving time: ~1 h 15 min Drive along the Keiji Bypass to Osaka, Japan’s lively second city. Spring brings blossoms to Osaka Castle Park and the riversides of Kema Sakuranomiya Park, while evenings are perfect for exploring Dōtonbori’s street food and neon lights. Overnight stop: RV Park Osaka Maishima – near Universal Studios and the bay area. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, power supply. Nearby onsen: Maishima Yurari Onsen (on site). Osaka → Nara Distance: 40 km Driving time: ~1 h Head east through Yamato’s rolling countryside to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital. Nara Park and Mount Wakakusa are lined with cherry trees that bloom in early April, and deer roam freely around Tōdai-ji Temple and Kasuga Shrine. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Hari Terrace – on Route 25, 20 min north of Nara Park. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, EV chargers, coin showers, local produce market. Nearby onsen: Nara Kenko Land (10 km). Nara → Nagoya Distance: 130 km Driving time: ~2 h 15 min Take the Meihan Expressway to Nagoya, known for Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine, and its distinctive food – miso katsu, hitsumabushi (eel rice), and kishimen noodles. The Yamazaki River Park is one of Japan’s top cherry blossom spots, with over 600 trees arching over the riverside walkways. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Owari Ichinomiya – 25 min from Nagoya Castle. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, bakery, no showers. Nearby onsen: Nagoya Moriyama Onsen (14 km). Nagoya → Tokyo Distance: 350 km Driving time: ~5 h 30 min Return to Tokyo via the Chūō Expressway, with optional stops at Lake Suwa, Mount Fuji’s northern lakes, or Mount Takao for a final short hike before re-entering the capital. Optional stop: Michi-no-Eki Narusawa – between Fuji and Tokyo. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, local food hall, coin showers, Fuji views. Nearby onsen: Yurari Onsen (2 km).