Tokyo to Kyoto via Japan Alps

Bypass the Tokaido and take the mountain route from Tokyo to Kyoto via Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Takayama, and Kanazawa.

This is a mountain route alternative to the Golden Route, fully accessible by train and bus. Stay overnight in Kamikochi to enjoy the morning and evening views, soak in the hot springs of Okuhida before heading up Shinhotaka, and then connect to Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa, wrapping up the journey in Kyoto. It is perfect for second-time visitors to Japan or those who want to avoid big cities. Since you will change accommodations every one or two days, luggage forwarding is recommended.

Kamikochi is open from around mid-April to November 15, and is inaccessible during the rest of the year.

Day by day

Day 1 · Limited Express to Matsumoto Castle Town

Matsumoto（Matsumoto Castle、Nakamachi & Nawate Streets）

Take the Limited Express Azusa from Shinjuku to Matsumoto (approx. 2 hours 40 minutes). Explore the castle and old streets on foot.

Stay: Matsumoto Station·Castle Town

Day 2 · Half-Day Round Trip to Narai-juku

Matsumoto（Narai-juku、Former Kaichi School、Matsumoto City Museum of Art）

Take the JR Chuo Main Line from Matsumoto to Narai (approx. 1 hour round trip), and return to the city in the afternoon.

Stay: Matsumoto Station·Castle Town

Day 3 · Enter Kamikochi & Riverside Hike

Matsumoto（Taisho Pond、Tashiro Pond、Kappa Bridge (Kamikochi)）

Take the Matsumoto Dentetsu to Shin-Shimashima, transfer to a bus to enter the mountains (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes total), and explore the park on foot.

Private cars are banned in Kamikochi. Mountain lodges have limited rooms and must be booked several months in advance.

Stay: Kamikochi

Day 4 · Myojin Pond to Okuhida

Matsumoto（Myojin Pond & Hotaka Shrine Okumiya） → Hida-Takayama（Hirayu Great Falls）

Walk to and from Myojin Pond in the early morning. Take a bus via Hirayu to Okuhida in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour).

Stay: Okuhida Onsen Village

Day 5 · Shinhotaka Ropeway for Northern Alps Views

Hida-Takayama（Shinhotaka Ropeway、Higashiyama Walking Course）

Take the ropeway to the observation deck, then take a bus to Takayama (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes).

If the weather is poor and the peaks are not visible from the summit, this can be swapped with Day 4.

Stay: Around Sanmachi Old Town

Day 6 · Takayama Historic Streets & Folk Village

Hida-Takayama（Miyagawa Morning Market、Sanmachi Suji Old Town、Takayama Jinya、Kusakabe Folk Museum、Hida Folk Village）

Explore the historic streets on foot. Take the Loop Bus to Hida no Sato (approx. 10 minutes).

Stay: Around Sanmachi Old Town

Day 7 · Transfer to Kanazawa via Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go（Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observation Deck、Shirakawa-go Gassho Village、Myozenji Temple）

Take a bus from Takayama to Shirakawa-go (approx. 50 minutes), explore, and then continue to Kanazawa (approx. 1 hour 25 minutes).

Buses require reservations. Taking an early bus helps avoid the morning tour groups.

Stay: Korinbo·Katamachi

Day 8 · Kanazawa Gardens & Museums

Kanazawa（Kenroku-en、21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa、Nagamachi Samurai District、Oyama Shrine）

Explore on foot and use the Loop Bus. Travel time between attractions is about 10–15 minutes.

Stay: Korinbo·Katamachi

Day 9 · Chaya District, then Train to Kyoto

Kanazawa（Omicho Market、Higashi Chaya District） → Kyoto（Gion & Hanamikoji Street）

Take the Shinkansen to Tsuruga and transfer to the Limited Express Thunderbird to Kyoto (approx. 2 hours).

Stay: Gion & Higashiyama

Day 10 · Kyoto Higashiyama & Fushimi Inari

Kyoto（Kiyomizu-dera、Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka、Fushimi Inari Taisha）

Explore Higashiyama on foot, take the JR to Inari Station, and then head to Kyoto Station to depart (approx. 40 minutes).