Tokyo → Bandai → Aizu → Lake Towada → Oirase → Hachimantai → Morioka → Tokyo

Tokyo → Mount Bandai & Lake Inawashiro (Fukushima) Head north from Tokyo along the Tōhoku Expressway to Fukushima, then branch inland towards the Urabandai Highlands. This area is filled with clear volcanic lakes and walking paths. Visit Goshiki-numa (Five-Coloured Ponds), each with distinct shades of blue and green, and enjoy the open drive around Lake Inawashiro. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Bandai – 15 min north of Lake Inawashiro. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, farm shop, EV chargers, coin showers, free Wi-Fi. Nearby onsen: Urabandai Onsen (10 km). ⸻ Mount Bandai → Aizu-Wakamatsu A short and pleasant drive west takes you to Aizu-Wakamatsu, a small samurai-era castle town surrounded by mountains. Visit Tsuruga Castle, Sazae-dō Pagoda, and the Aizu Bukeyashiki samurai residence. Local sake breweries line Nanukamachi Street, and nearby Ouchijuku — an Edo-period post town — is perfect for a walk through thatched-roof houses. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Aizu-Yanaizu – riverside location 25 min from the city. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, shop, EV chargers, no showers. Nearby onsen: Ashinomaki Onsen (13 km). ⸻ Aizu-Wakamatsu → Lake Towada (Aomori) A longer drive north, passing through the mountains of Yamagata and Iwate Prefectures before reaching Lake Towada, one of Japan’s deepest and most scenic volcanic lakes. The route offers wide, open roads and few crowds. Take the lakeside walking trail or rent a rowing boat, then drive the Oirase Gorge, where waterfalls tumble through mossy forest. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Towada – 15 min from Lake Towada’s southern shore. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, local market, coin showers, parking area for RVs. Nearby onsen: Towadako Onsenkyo (8 km). ⸻ Lake Towada → Hachimantai Plateau Follow mountain roads through the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, a landscape of steaming vents, alpine ponds and open moorland. In autumn the colours are spectacular. Stop at Hachimantai Onsen Village, and if open, drive the Aspite Line, one of Japan’s highest and most beautiful mountain routes. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Hachimantai – at the foot of the plateau. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, shop, tourist info, coin showers, EV chargers. Nearby onsen: Hachimantai Onsenkyo (7 km). ⸻ Hachimantai → Morioka (Iwate capital) Descend south to Morioka, a relaxed regional city with riverside walks, soba noodle shops and mountain views. Visit Iwate Park (Morioka Castle ruins) and the Handmade Village, where local craftsmen make ironware and lacquerware. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Nishine – 25 km north of Morioka. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, convenience store, no showers. Nearby onsen: Tsunagi Onsen (15 km). ⸻ Morioka → Tokyo (return) Follow the Tohoku Expressway south, or if you prefer a slower scenic return, detour via Lake Tazawa and Nyuto Onsen, one of Japan’s most atmospheric hot-spring clusters with traditional wooden baths hidden in the forest. Continue via Sendai and back to Tokyo Campers. Optional stop: Michi-no-Eki Tazawako – beside the lake. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, souvenir shop, showers (08:00–21:00). Nearby onsen: Nyuto Onsen Village (6 km).

Route 5 – Northern Discovery: Tohoku Lakes & Mountain Drives Tokyo → Bandai → Aizu → Lake Towada → Oirase → Hachimantai → Morioka → Tokyo Google Map - Route 5 Overview The Northern Discovery loop takes you into the great mountain ranges, lakes and national parks of Tōhoku — Japan’s rural north. It’s a quieter, slower journey through volcanic plateaus, cedar forests, and onsen towns where few overseas visitors go. Expect excellent driving roads, natural hot springs, and some of Japan’s most striking autumn colours. Total distance: around 1,400 km, ideally 12–14 days, with 2–4 hour drives between scenic bases. Tokyo → Mount Bandai & Lake Inawashiro (Fukushima) Distance: 290 km Driving time: ~4 h 30 min Head north from Tokyo along the Tōhoku Expressway to Fukushima, then branch inland towards the Urabandai Highlands. This area is filled with clear volcanic lakes and walking paths. Visit Goshiki-numa (Five-Coloured Ponds), each with distinct shades of blue and green, and enjoy the open drive around Lake Inawashiro. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Bandai – 15 min north of Lake Inawashiro. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, farm shop, EV chargers, coin showers, free Wi-Fi. Nearby onsen: Urabandai Onsen (10 km). Bandai → Aizu-Wakamatsu Distance: 40 km Driving time: ~1 h 15 min A short and pleasant drive west takes you to Aizu-Wakamatsu, a small samurai-era castle town surrounded by mountains. Visit Tsuruga Castle, Sazae-dō Pagoda, and the Aizu Bukeyashiki samurai residence. Local sake breweries line Nanukamachi Street, and nearby Ouchijuku — an Edo-period post town — is perfect for a walk through thatched-roof houses. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Aizu-Yanaizu – riverside location 25 min from the city. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, shop, EV chargers, no showers. Nearby onsen: Ashinomaki Onsen (13 km). Aizu → Lake Towada (Aomori) Distance: 370 km Driving time: ~6 h A longer drive north, passing through the mountains of Yamagata and Iwate Prefectures before reaching Lake Towada, one of Japan’s deepest and most scenic volcanic lakes. The route offers wide, open roads and few crowds. Take the lakeside walking trail or rent a rowing boat, then drive the Oirase Gorge, where waterfalls tumble through mossy forest. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Towada – 15 min from Lake Towada’s southern shore. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, local market, coin showers, parking area for RVs. Nearby onsen: Towadako Onsenkyo (8 km). Lake Towada → Hachimantai Plateau Distance: 120 km Driving time: ~2 h 30 min Follow mountain roads through the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, a landscape of steaming vents, alpine ponds and open moorland. In autumn the colours are spectacular. Stop at Hachimantai Onsen Village, and if open, drive the Aspite Line, one of Japan’s highest and most beautiful mountain routes. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Hachimantai – at the foot of the plateau. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, shop, tourist info, coin showers, EV chargers. Nearby onsen: Hachimantai Onsenkyo (7 km). Hachimantai → Morioka (Iwate capital) Distance: 70 km Driving time: ~1 h 45 min Descend south to Morioka, a relaxed regional city with riverside walks, soba noodle shops and mountain views. Visit Iwate Park (Morioka Castle ruins) and the Handmade Village, where local craftsmen make ironware and lacquerware. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Nishine – 25 km north of Morioka. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, restaurant, convenience store, no showers. Nearby onsen: Tsunagi Onsen (15 km). Morioka → Tokyo (return) Distance: 480 km Driving time: ~6 h 30 min Follow the Tohoku Expressway south, or if you prefer a slower scenic return, detour via Lake Tazawa and Nyuto Onsen, one of Japan’s most atmospheric hot-spring clusters with traditional wooden baths hidden in the forest. Continue via Sendai and back to Tokyo Campers. Optional stop: Michi-no-Eki Tazawako – beside the lake. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, souvenir shop, showers (08:00–21:00). Nearby onsen: Nyuto Onsen Village (6 km).