Route 9 -Grand Japan Route

Route Summary

Tokyo → Nikkō → Kusatsu → Shiga Kōgen → Snow Monkeys (Yudanaka) → Matsumoto → Kiso Valley (Magome/Tsumago) → Takayama → Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa → Sea Coast (Kumihama/Maizuru) → Kyoto (with Nara & Uji day trips) → Osaka → Hamamatsu (coastal breather) → Fuji/Hakone → Tokyo

Overview

This 22-day route traces a complete circuit through central and western Honshū — Japan’s main island — linking its most striking regions in one seamless drive. It begins in Tokyo, where you can either spend a few nights in the city or collect your camper-van straight away from Tokyo Campers. From there the journey rises into the cedar forests and temple precincts of Nikkō, continues across volcanic uplands to Kusatsu and the alpine roads of Shiga Kōgen, and reaches Yudanaka to see the snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs. The middle stretch runs through the heart of the Japanese Alps. You’ll visit Matsumoto Castle, follow the old Nakasendō highway between the post-towns of Magome and Tsumago in the Kiso Valley, and cross to Takayama and Shirakawa-go — places that still feel connected to Japan’s rural past. Kanazawa brings a touch of refinement with its gardens and old samurai quarter before the route curves along the Sea of Japan coast for a quieter day by the water. From there the journey turns south to Kyoto for several unhurried days exploring temples, markets and teahouse districts, with easy day trips to Nara and Uji. A short hop leads on to Osaka, then east again along the Pacific, breaking the drive with a coastal night near Hamamatsu before reaching the lakes and open roads below Mount Fuji. The final section circles through Hakone’s volcanic valleys and finishes back in Tokyo. Every overnight stop is a legal Michi-no-Eki or RV park with 24-hour toilets, and most have showers or a hot spring nearby. Driving days are kept short — rarely more than three hours — so there’s time to explore, walk, or simply pause along the way. The result is a complete Japan loop: big landscapes, cultural depth, and practical comfort for travellers who want independence without rush. Start/Finish: Tokyo | Best seasons: Apr–Jun / Sep–Nov | Average drive: ~2–3½ h (only one 4 h day)

Route Detail

Days 1–3 — Tokyo (settle & see the city Gentle, jet-lag-friendly start. Meiji Shrine and Omotesandō one day; Sensō-ji and teamLab Planets another. Keep nights easy. Overnight (option A): hotel in central Tokyo. Overnight (option B): Wakasu Park Campground / Tokyo Bay Camper Park — 24 h toilets & showers; laundry; convenience stores close by. Day 4 — Tokyo → Nikkō (150 km / ~3 h) Shrines and cedars: Toshōgū, Lake Chūzenji and Kegon Falls. Easy mountain driving. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Nikkō Kaidō Nikkō — 24 h toilets; daytime café/restaurant; vending; small shop; onsen nearby. Day 5 — Nikkō → Kusatsu Onsen (125 km / ~3 h) Over Konsei Pass to Japan’s classic spa town. Stroll the steaming Yubatake boardwalks. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu Undō Kōen — 24 h toilets; vending; café; onsen ~1 km; legal overnight. Day 6 — Kusatsu → Shiga Kōgen → Yudanaka (85 km / ~2½ h) Route 292 (Japan’s highest highway, open roughly Apr–Nov) to the alpine plateau, then descend to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park; short forest path to the pools. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Yamanouchi (Yudanaka) — 24 h toilets; vending; public baths nearby. Day 7 — Yudanaka → Matsumoto (140 km / ~3 h) Down the Chikuma valley via Obuse (Hokusai), then across to Matsumoto Castle and kura streets. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Alps Azumino (Hotaka) — 24 h toilets; daytime café/bakery; farm-market; onsen ~2 km; level bays. Day 8 — Matsumoto → Kiso Valley (Magome & Tsumago) (110 km / ~2½ h) Glide into cedar forests. Walk a section of the Nakasendō between the two best-preserved Edo post-towns. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Kiso-Fukushima — 24 h toilets; small shop; daytime restaurant; onsen ~1 km. Day 9 — Kiso → Takayama (130 km / ~3 h Through the Abo tunnel into Gifu. Explore Takayama’s old town and riverside markets. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Hida-Asahimura — 24 h toilets; daytime café/shop; public bath ~1.5 km; legal bays. Day 10 — Takayama (slow day / Okuhida onsen option) Ease off: Hida Folk Village, or a soak at Hirayu-no-Mori in the mountains. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Hida-Asahimura — as above. Day 11 — Takayama → Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa (170 km / ~3½ h) Gasshō-zukuri farmhouses at Shirakawa-go, then on to Kanazawa. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Kanazawa Mori-no-Sato — 24 h toilets; daytime restaurant/shop; supermarket nearby; onsen ~15 min. Day 12 — Kanazawa (full day) Kenroku-en garden, castle park, samurai quarter; lantern lanes of Higashi Chaya after dark. Overnight: Mori-no-Sato — as above. Day 13 — Kanazawa → Sea-coast breather (Kumihama/Maizuru) (200 km / ~3½ h) Unhurried coastal arc through Fukui into northern Kyoto Prefecture — beaches, fishing ports, wide skies. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Kumihama SANKAIKAN (Kyōtango) — 24 h toilets; market/café; public baths nearby. Day 14 — Coast → Kyoto (120 km / ~2 h) Roll inland through wooded passes; easy arrival and evening wander by the Kamo River or Gion. Overnight: RV Park Kyoto South — 24 h showers/toilets; laundry; convenience store close by. Days 15–17 — Kyoto base (with Nara & Uji day trips) Kinkaku-ji and Ryōan-ji; Arashiyama’s bamboo and river; Kiyomizu-dera to Gion on foot. Day trips to Nara (Great Buddha, deer) and Uji (Byōdō-in, riverside tea town). Overnights: RV Park Kyoto South — as above. Day 18 — Kyoto → Osaka (60 km / ~1 h) Short hop. Osaka Castle by day; Dōtonbori’s canals and neon after dark. Overnight: RV Park Osaka Sakai — 24 h showers/toilets; coin laundry; supermarket/café nearby; secure bays. Day 19 — Osaka → Hamamatsu (coastal breather) (270 km / ~4 h) Break up the run east with a restful sea-or-lake stop around Lake Hamana. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Hamakita (Hamamatsu) — 24 h toilets; shops; onsen in short reach. Day 20 — Hamamatsu → Fuji / Hakone (120 km / ~2 h) Arrive Kawaguchiko/Hakone by lunch; museum, ropeway or lakeside stroll; evening onsen with Fuji views. Overnight: Michi-no-Eki Narusawa (or RV Park Kawaguchiko Fujisan) — 24 h toilets; daytime café/shop; onsen ≤3 km; level, well-lit parking. Day 21 — Hakone / Fuji Lakes (slow day) Lake Ashi boat, Ōwakudani valley, or a quiet SUP/walk on Saiko/Motosu; final souvenir stop. Overnight: Narusawa / RV Kawaguchiko — as above. Day 22 — Return to Tokyo(140 km / ~3 h) Easy run to the depot; return the van.
Tokyo → Nikkō Approx. 150 km · ~3 hours Nikkō → Kusatsu Onsen Approx. 125 km · ~3 hours Kusatsu → Shiga Kōgen → Yudanaka Approx. 85 km · ~2½ hours Yudanaka → Matsumoto Approx. 140 km · ~3 hours Matsumoto → Kiso Valley (Magome / Tsumago) Approx. 110 km · ~2½ hours Kiso Valley → Takayama Approx. 130 km · ~3 hours Takayama → Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa Approx. 170 km · ~3½ hours Kanazawa → Sea Coast (Kumihama / Maizuru) Approx. 200 km · ~3½ hours Sea Coast → Kyoto Approx. 120 km · ~2 hours Kyoto → Osaka Approx. 60 km · ~1 hour Osaka → Hamamatsu Approx. 270 km · ~4 hours Hamamatsu → Fuji / Hakone Approx. 120 km · ~2 hours Fuji / Hakone → Tokyo Approx. 140 km · ~3 hours

Distance Summary notes

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