Self-Drive Around Nagano for Breathtaking Views of Magnificent Mountains

Nagano boasts unparalleled mountain scenery, perfect for touring by car.

Nagano boasts unparalleled mountain scenery, perfect for touring by car.

Trip Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1: Scenic Venus Line, Stately Matsumoto Castle, and a Soothing Onsen Soak

Ascend to Nagano’s premier highland drive, the Venus Line, then descend to Matsumoto Castle.

8:00 Depart Nagoya on the JR Limited Express “Shinano” bound for Nagano
1 hour 54 minutes
9:58 Transfer to JR Chuo Line bound for Takao to Chino at Shiojiri Station
30 minutes
10:30 Pick up rental car at Chino and drive the Venus Line
60 minutes
11:30 Venus Line
 

The 76-kilometer-long Venus Line winds across the Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara Highlands above the tree line at an elevation of 1400 to 2000 meters, offering 360-degree panoramic vistas.

15:00 Matsumoto Castle
 

Matsumoto Castle is one of five castles in Japan registered as a “National Treasure” with its original keep dating back to 1593. The Northern Japanese Alps provide a stunning backdrop to castle’s sleek, black façade.

Drive to Asama Onsen
15 minutes
16:30 Asama Onsen
 

Relax at a traditional inn at Matsumoto’s Asama Onsen. Your ryokan’s hot spring mineral water baths are certain to rejuvenate you.

Traditional ryokan in Asama Onsen

Day 2: Azumino Art Line, Daio Wasabi Farm and the Hakuba Valley

Tour museums and a wasabi farm along the Azumino Art Line on the way to Hakuba Valley and a gondola ride high into the Northern Japanese Alps.

9:30 Depart your ryokan and drive to Azumino
25 minutes
10:00 Azumino Art Line and Daio Wasabi Farm
 

The Azumino Art Line is a collection of 18 art museums located at the base of the Northern Japanese Alps. In Azumino is the Daio Wasabi Farm, the largest wasabi farm in the world. The wasabi is grown in pristine river water fed by snow melt from the Northern Alps.

11:40 Depart the wasabi farm and drive the Northern Alps Panoramic Road to Hakuba.
2 hours
14:00 Hakuba Mountain Harbor
 

Take the Noah Gondola to the top of 1,289-meter tall Iwatake. From the upper station it is a short walk to Mountain Harbor, a coffee shop and bakery with a stunning view of the 3 main peaks of the Hakuba Range.

Hakuba (wide selection of hotels, ryokans, lodges, etc.)
 

Day 3: Snow Monkeys and Volcanoes

Cross the prefecture stopping to see the Snow Monkeys before continuing over Shiga Kogen to a pair of toll roads passing a duo of dynamic volcanoes.

9:00 Depart Hakuba and drive through Nagano City to Kanbayashi Onsen in Yamanouchi Town (the trailhead to the Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park)
 1 hour 45 minutes
10:45 Walk to the Monkey Park
30 minutes
11:15 Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park
 

Jigokudani is the only place in the world that macaque monkeys soak in an onsen bath in their natural habitat. Photographers come from around the globe hoping to capture their blissful expressions as the monkeys enjoy their hot spring.

13:00 Shiga Kogen – Mt. Shirane Route
 

Drive up the windy ascent to Shiga Kogen and on to Mt. Shirane, an active volcano just across the prefectural border in Gunma. From there take a pair of scenic toll roads to another active volcano, Mt. Asama, and the lava fields on its northern flank.

14:30 Onioshidashi Lava Fields
 

Created by the eruption of Mt. Asama in 1783, the massive lava field creates an awe-inspiring view. Onioshidashi literally means "the place where demons come out," and it is named after the eerie landscape of massive lava formations that resemble the hideout of mythical creatures.

Stay: Karuizawa (accommodation varies from cozy “pensions” to luxury resorts)
 

Day 4: Romantic Waterfalls and Japan’s Largest Arched Brick Bridge

Activities: Two more short drives await – the lovely toll road to picturesque Shiraito Falls and the windy road over Usui Pass to Meganebashi Bridge. Return to Karuizawa for shopping.

9:00 Depart Karuizawa accommodation and drive the Shiraito Highland Way
20 minutes
9:30 Shiraito Falls
 

Take a leisurely drive up the scenic Shiraito Highland Way toll road to Shiraito Falls, a horseshoe-shaped waterfall whose white strands of water give the waterfall its name. The graceful falls are fed by groundwater and an impressive 70 meters wide.

10:00 Continue on to Route 146 back through central Karuizawa then old Route 18 over Usui Pass
45 minutes
11:00 Meganebashi Bridge
 

Crossing over Usui Pass, the old Route 18 turns into a crazy conniption of curves legendary among street racing circles. The road leads to Meganebashi (“Spectacles Bridge”), an arched railroad bridge made out of red bricks in classic aqueduct style. An Important Cultural Heritage Site, it was constructed in the early 20th century.

11:30 Return to central Karuizawa to turn in the rental car and stop at the outlet mall for shopping
30 minutes
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
 

After all that driving, wind down with some window shopping at the outlet mall and its over 200 stores selling a wide variety of goods including luxury fashion items. Then it is an easy 70-minute Shinkansen bullet train from Karuizawa Station to Tokyo.

Map

Update:2023/03/14

Recommended articles

Share this experience

LINE
Twitter
Facebook