Central Japan map with tourist cities + tips for planning your route

Kon’nichiwa!

The Central Japan map below is an interactive Google map that focuses on the logistical part of getting around some of the most popular historic towns and destinations in the region, as well as ideas for day trips and overnight stays.

This includes the cities of Takayama, Kanazawa, Matsumoto, Nagano, and Nagoya, which are the most popular cities for overnight stays in Central Japan. You’ll also see key train stations and ideas for routes to connect you by train or bus between the cities. The map also shows you popular day trips like Shirakawago and Nakasendo Trail towns, as well as classic destinations for the Japanese Alps like Kamikochi and Hakuba.

First, I want to explain what’s on the map and how you can use it to plan your route around Central Japan, and hopefully it will make planning your Central Japan itinerary easier!

 

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So, here’s what’s on the map!

If you want to go straight to the map, here you go: Central Japan map

 

Popular overnight towns

On my map below, the most common towns for overnight stays in Central Japan are marked with a pink star pin.

 

Matsumoto
Known for: Matsumoto Castle | Kamikochi Japanese Alps day trip
Matsumoto Station
Tokyo to Matsumoto: 2 hours 40 minutes by limited express train
Matsumoto to Takayama: 2.5 hours by bus
Matsumoto to Nagano: 1 hour by limited express train

Takayama
Known for: Sanmachi Suji old town | Shirakawago village day trip
Takayama Station
Tokyo to Takayama: 4.5 hours by train with 1 transfer, shinkansen bullet train and limited express train
Takayama to Kanazawa: 2 hours by train with 1 transfer, limited express train and shinkansen bullet train… or 2.5 hours by bus

Kanazawa
Known for: Kenrokuen Garden | Higashi Chaya historical district | Nagamachi samurai district | gold leaf
Kanazawa Station
Tokyo to Kanazawa: 2.5 to 3 hours by shinkansen bullet train
Kanazawa to Kyoto: 2 hours by train with 1 transfer, shinkansen bullet train and limited express train

Nagoya
Known for: Transit hub to Central Japan, Nakasendo samurai trail day trip
Nagoya Station
Tokyo to Nagoya: 1 hour 40 minutes by shinkansen bullet train
Nagoya to Takayama: 2.5 hours by limited express train or bus
Nagoya to Kyoto: 35 minutes by shinkansen bullet train

 

Here are common routes that you can do, based on your time and interests:

• Tokyo > Matsumoto > Takayama > Kanazawa > Kyoto
• Tokyo > Takayama > Kanazawa > Kyoto
• Tokyo > Nagoya > Takayama > Kanazawa > Kyoto
• Tokyo > Nagoya > Kyoto
• Tokyo > Kanazawa > Kyoto

 

Popular day trips

On my map below, popular day trips in Central Japan are marked with a pink pin.

 

Shirakawago
The UNESCO world heritage site of Shirakawago is the town with iconic gassho-style thatched roof houses. Most commonly done as a day trip from Takayama. Can also be done as a day trip tour from Kanazawa to Shirakawago and Takayama.
Day trip tours possible: Takayama to Shirakawago or Kanazawa to Shirakawago and Takayama

Nakasendo Trail (Magome)
The most popular part of the Nakasendo Trail is Magome to Tsumago. Most commonly done as a day trip from Nagoya, but also possible as an even longer day trip from Matsumoto. The train station near Magome is Nakatsugawa Station, a 30 minute bus ride away. If you time it right, by limited express train, it’s 50 minutes between Nagoya and Nakatsugawa, and 1 hour 15 minutes between Matsumoto and Nakatsugawa.
Day trip tour possible: Nagoya to Nakasendo Trail

 

More towns/things to know about

On my map below, more towns and things to know are marked with a magenta pin.

 

Tsumago (Nakasendo Trail)
This is the other end of the most popular part of the Nakasendo Trail, which is from Magome to Tsumago. It’s commonly done as a day trip from Nagoya, but also possible as a day trip from Matsumoto. Train station near Tsumago is Nagiso Station, 10 minute bus ride away. If you time it right, by limited express train, it’s 1 hour Nagoya and Nagiso, as well as 1 hour between Matsumoto and Nagiso.

Narai (Nakasendo Trail)
One of the more common Nakasendo Trail towns to visit as a day trip from Matsumoto. Matsumoto to Narai Station: 50 minutes by limited express train.
Day trip tour possible: Nagano or Matsumoto to Narai

Kamikochi
Classic Japanese Alps mountain views! Mid-April through mid-November. Possible to do as day trip from Matsumoto. Matsumoto to Kamikochi: 1 hour 40 minutes by bus.
Day trip tour possible: Nagano or Matsumoto to Kamikochi

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Known for the iconic massive snow wall along the road in the spring. Mid-April to end November. Possible to do as day trip from Toyama. Toyama to Tateyama: 1 hour 10 minutes.
Day trip tour possible: Nagano to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

 

Winter things (Nagano)

On my map below, winter things are marked with a blue star or snowflake pin.

 

Nagano (Nagano Station)
Host to the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano has good access to some of Japan’s best ski resorts like Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, and Shiga Kogen.
Tokyo to Nagano: 1.5 hours by shinkansen bullet train, or 4 hours by bus
Matsumoto Station to Nagano: 1 hour by limited express train

Hakuba (Hakuba Station)
Hakuba is one of the most famous ski resort areas in Japan. You can make it an overnight stay, or a day trip from Nagano. Even if you are not a skiier or snowboarder, you can go for the views of the Japanese Alps by riding one of the gondolas like the Hakuba Iwatake gondola.
Day trip tour possible: You can book a one-day ski or snowboard rental package with transportation included from Nagano Station to a ski resort of your choosing.
Nagano Station to Hakuba: 1 hour 10 minutes by bus
Matsumoto Station to Hakuba: 1 hour by limited express train

Jigokudani snow monkey park
You have a chance to see snow monkeys relaxing in hot springs! 1 hour by bus to bus stop near snow monkey park, then 40 minute walk.
Day trip tour possible: Nagano to snow monkey park

 

Here is a Central Japan route that you can do to include Nagano:

• Tokyo > Matsumoto > Nagano > Kanazawa > Kyoto

 

Hotels: Where to stay in Central Japan towns

On my map below, the hotels are marked with a pink bed pin.

 

Matsumoto: The Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae is a simple and comfortable hotel with an optional breakfast add-on. Being a 5 minute walk from Matsumoto Station and a 10-15 minute walk from Mastumoto Castle, it’s convenient for a short stay.
Read the Matsumoto hotel reviews on booking.com or expedia.

Takayama: The Chisun Grand Takayama is a simple hotel that makes for a convenient base. It’s a few minutes walk from Takayama Station and a 10 minute walk from the Sanmachi Suji historical district. You can add-on the breakfast buffet, and there’s also free bicycle rental included.
Read the Takayama hotel reviews on booking.com or expedia.

Kanazawa: The Kanazawa Hakuchoro Hotel Sanraku is a hotel with public onsen hot springs bath that has comfortable rooms. It’s a 5 minute walk from the famous Kenrokuen garden and a 10 minute walk from the Higashi Chaya historical district. There’s an option add-on breakfast buffet that has western and Japanese food, and there’s also an on-site upscale restaurant where you can have a fine dining seafood experience for lunch or dinner.
Read the Kanazawa hotel reviews on expedia or booking.com.

 

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Central Japan map

👇 Explore the interactive map below to plan your Central Japan itinerary! Zoom in to get started and click on the icons for more details!

If you are having problems viewing or using the map, you can view it directly on google maps.

 

JAPAN TRAVEL > CENTRAL JAPAN ITINERARY | TOKYO MAP | KYOTO MAP
>> NEW GOLDEN ROUTE ITINERARY