Tokyo → Fuji Five Lakes → Mount Minobu → Lake Suwa → Yatsugatake Highlands → Karuizawa → Tokyo

Tokyo → Fuji Five Lakes Distance: 130 km Driving time: ~2.5 h Leave Tokyo on the Chūō Expressway and climb gradually towards Mount Fuji, Japan’s most recognisable peak. The Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchi, Saiko, Yamanaka, Shoji, Motosu) sit at its northern foot and offer open-air baths, forest trails and reflection views of the mountain. Visit Arakurayama Sengen Park for the iconic pagoda-and-Fuji photograph, or take a short cruise on Lake Kawaguchi. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Katsuyama – beside Lake Kawaguchi. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, local market, no showers (onsen nearby). Nearby onsen: Fuji-Yama Onsen (6 km). Fuji → Mount Minobu (Yamanashi’s hidden temple town) Distance: 75 km Driving time: ~1.5 h Drive south-west through forested valleys to Minobu, a peaceful temple town at the base of Mount Minobu (Minobu-san). Climb the 287 temple steps to Kuon-ji Temple, a Nichiren Buddhist site surrounded by towering cedars. This area is little-known but spiritually important — often compared to a smaller, quieter Kōyasan. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Minobu – 10 min from Kuon-ji. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, small restaurant, farm shop, no showers. Nearby onsen: Shimobe Onsen (7 km). Mount Minobu → Lake Suwa Distance: 130 km Driving time: ~3 h Follow the Minobu River valley north to Lake Suwa, an inland lake surrounded by onsen towns and sake breweries. Stop at the Suwa Taisha Shrine complex (one of Japan’s oldest) and visit the Takashima Castle ruins for panoramic views. Suwa is also known for fireworks in summer and hot springs along the lakeshore. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Shiojiri-Kita – 20 min from Lake Suwa. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, local diner, convenience store, coin showers, parking for RVs. Nearby onsen: Katakurakan Onsen (9 km). Lake Suwa → Yatsugatake Highlands Distance: 80 km Driving time: ~2 h Drive along mountain roads to the Yatsugatake Highlands, where clean air, farm cafés and craft markets attract Tokyo weekenders. The Kobuchizawa area is known for its art museums, horse riding and panoramic views of Mount Fuji from higher ridges. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Kobuchisawa – right in Yatsugatake resort area. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, bakery, restaurant, farmers’ market, coin showers, Wi-Fi. Nearby onsen: Hakushu Onsen (11 km). Yatsugatake → Karuizawa Distance: 100 km Driving time: ~2.5 h Head north-east along the high plateau roads to Karuizawa, a European-style summer resort with art galleries, cafés and tree-lined cycle paths. Visit the Stone Church, Karuizawa Lake Garden, and Old Ginza Street for boutique shopping and lunch. The volcanic landscape of nearby Mount Asama provides dramatic views, especially from Onioshidashi Park. Overnight stop: Michi-no-Eki Karuizawa Oiwake – 10 min from town centre. Facilities: 24-hour toilets, café, local goods, no on-site showers (public bathhouse nearby). Nearby onsen: Karuizawa Sengataki Onsen (6 km). Karuizawa → Tokyo (return) Distance: 150 km Driving time: ~3 h Descend via the Usui Pass viewpoint (with panoramic Fuji and Kanto Plain views) and rejoin the Chūō Expressway to return to Tokyo Campers. If time allows, pause at Mount Takao for a short cable-car hike before finishing.

Tokyo → Fuji Five Lakes Approx. 130 km · ~2½ hours Fuji Five Lakes → Mount Minobu Approx. 75 km · ~1½ hours Mount Minobu → Lake Suwa Approx. 130 km · ~3 hours Lake Suwa → Yatsugatake Highlands Approx. 80 km · ~2 hours Yatsugatake Highlands → Karuizawa Approx. 100 km · ~2½ hours Karuizawa → Tokyo Approx. 150 km · ~3 hours