Quick Answer
A 7-day road trip from Tokyo can loop through Hakone, the Fuji Five Lakes, Matsumoto and the Japan Alps, the snow monkeys near Nagano and Karuizawa, with 1–2.5 hours of driving on most days and about 800 km in total. Budget roughly ¥29,000–49,000 for tolls, fuel and parking in a compact car, plus rental and accommodation. Pick up the car on the edge of Tokyo and book ryokan in Hakone and Kawaguchiko early. From December to March, Nagano needs winter tyres; the coastal Hakone–Izu–Fuji version is the easier winter choice.
A week is the perfect length for a first road trip in Japan: long enough to leave the city far behind, short enough that you never feel rushed. This itinerary is a loop from Tokyo through the places that are hardest to reach without a car: the hot springs of Hakone, the lakes below Mt. Fuji, the castle town of Matsumoto, the Japan Alps and the snow monkeys of Nagano.
The 7-day route at a glance
| Day | Route | Drive time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo → Hakone | 1.5–2 h | Hakone |
| 2 | Hakone → Fuji Five Lakes | 1–1.5 h | Lake Kawaguchi |
| 3 | Fuji Five Lakes → Matsumoto | 2–2.5 h | Matsumoto |
| 4 | Kamikochi or Azumino day trip | 1–1.5 h | Matsumoto |
| 5 | Matsumoto → Nagano city → Shibu Onsen | 2 h | Shibu or Yudanaka |
| 6 | Snow monkeys → Obuse → Karuizawa | 1.5–2 h | Karuizawa |
| 7 | Karuizawa → Tokyo | 2–2.5 h | — |
Total: about 800 km. Best from April to November; see the winter notes below.
Day 1: Tokyo to Hakone
Pick up your car early on the west side of Tokyo and take the Tomei Expressway and the Hakone Turnpike up to the Daikanzan viewpoint. Spend the afternoon on Lake Ashi (cruise, Hakone Shrine) and at Owakudani, then check in to a ryokan with an outdoor bath. Full details in our Tokyo to Hakone guide.
Day 2: Hakone to the Fuji Five Lakes
Drive over Otome Pass to Gotemba with Mt. Fuji ahead, then north on Route 138 to Lake Yamanaka. Stop at Oshino Hakkai’s spring ponds, then explore the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi. In the late afternoon, climb to the Chureito Pagoda for the classic view. Stay at a Fuji-view inn on Lake Kawaguchi. See Tokyo to Mt. Fuji by car.
Day 3: Fuji to Matsumoto
Get up for sunrise at Lake Motosu or Lake Kawaguchi, when Fuji is most likely to be clear. Then take the Chuo Expressway north-west past Kofu and Lake Suwa to Matsumoto (about 2–2.5 hours). Stop at Suwa Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrines, on the way. In Matsumoto, visit the black-walled castle, one of Japan’s few original keeps, and walk the Nawate and Nakamachi streets.
Day 4: Kamikochi or Azumino
From late April to mid-November, drive to Sawando (about an hour), leave the car and take the shuttle bus into Kamikochi, a high Alpine valley with easy riverside walks beneath 3,000-metre peaks. Private cars are not allowed into Kamikochi.
Out of season, or for an easier day, visit Azumino: the Daio wasabi farm, clear rivers, art museums and Alpine views. Return to Matsumoto for dinner.
Day 5: Matsumoto to Nagano city and Shibu Onsen
Take the Nagano Expressway north to Nagano city (about 1.5 hours) for Zenko-ji, one of Japan’s most important temples. Walk through the dark tunnel under the main hall. In the afternoon, continue 40 minutes to the old onsen towns of Shibu or Yudanaka. In Shibu, overnight guests can visit the nine public bathhouses along the stone-paved street.
Day 6: Snow monkeys, Obuse and Karuizawa
Morning walk to the Jigokudani Monkey Park (about 30 minutes each way from the car park). Then stop in Obuse for chestnut sweets, sake and the Hokusai Museum, before driving the Joshin-etsu Expressway to Karuizawa. See Tokyo to Nagano by car.
Day 7: Karuizawa to Tokyo
Walk in the forests around Kyu-Karuizawa or visit the Shiraito Falls, then drive back to Tokyo on the Joshin-etsu and Kan-etsu Expressways. On Sundays, leave by early afternoon or after 7 p.m. to avoid the worst of the return traffic. Return the car before heading into central Tokyo.
A coastal alternative: Hakone, Izu and Fuji
If you prefer the sea, swap days 3–6 for the Izu Peninsula: Atami and the Jogasaki Coast, Shimoda and its beaches, the west coast’s sea caves at Dogashima and Mt. Fuji views across Suruga Bay, then back via Shuzenji and the Fuji Five Lakes. This version is shorter on driving and works well all year, including winter.
Doing this trip in winter
From December to March, Nagano is snow country. You need winter tyres and chains, Kamikochi is closed, and some passes are closed. Either take the coastal alternative or shorten the route to Hakone, Fuji, Matsumoto and Nagano with a 4WD car. See our winter road trip guide.
Budget for 7 days
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Car rental (compact, 7 days) | Varies by company and season |
| Expressway tolls | ¥15,000–25,000 |
| Fuel (about 800 km) | ¥10,000–14,000 |
| Parking and toll roads | ¥5,000–10,000 |
| Accommodation | From about ¥15,000 per person per night with meals at ryokan; less at business hotels |
See the Japan road trip cost guide for details on rental, fuel and tolls.
Tips for this itinerary
- Book ryokan early in Hakone and Kawaguchiko, especially for weekends and autumn.
- Avoid starting on a Saturday if you can: weekday departures from Tokyo are much easier.
- Slow down on narrow roads. Since September 1, 2026, roads with no centre line default to 30 km/h unless a sign shows another limit. Watch for this in small towns and on lanes to ryokan.
- Get an ETC card with your rental car.
- Keep the mornings for views. Mt. Fuji and the Alps are clearest early; drive in the middle of the day.
- Want longer? Extend to our 14-day road trip, which continues to Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa.
Where to stay each night
| Night | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gora or Sengokuhara, Hakone | Central, quiet, onsen ryokan with parking |
| 2 | South shore of Lake Kawaguchi | Fuji-view rooms, sunrise views from your window |
| 3–4 | Matsumoto | Walkable old town, good-value hotels, easy access to Kamikochi |
| 5 | Shibu or Yudanaka Onsen | Historic inns 15 minutes from the snow monkeys |
| 6 | Karuizawa | Forest hotels and holiday rentals |
What to eat along the way
- Hakone: tofu dishes and soba in Yumoto; the black eggs at Owakudani.
- Fuji Five Lakes: hoto, a thick noodle stew with pumpkin and miso, and Yoshida udon, famously chewy.
- Matsumoto and Azumino: Shinshu soba, sanzoku-yaki (garlicky fried chicken) and wasabi everything.
- Nagano: oyaki dumplings near Zenko-ji, chestnut sweets in Obuse and local apples in autumn.
- Karuizawa: bakeries, jam shops and farm cafés.
Expressway service areas are worth stopping at for lunch, too: Dangozaka SA on the Chuo Expressway and Yokokawa SA on the Joshin-etsu (famous for its kamameshi rice pots) are favourites.
Frequently asked questions
Is seven days enough for a Japan road trip?
Yes, for one region. This loop covers Hakone, Fuji, the Alps and Nagano without long driving days. To add Kyoto or the Japan Sea coast, you need about two weeks.
Can I do this itinerary with children?
Yes. Drives are short, and a car makes luggage and naps easy. Swap Kamikochi for Azumino if little ones cannot walk far.
Where should I pick up and return the car?
On the edge of Tokyo, for example on the west side near the Chuo or Tomei Expressways, to avoid driving in the city centre.
Related: Driving in Japan Guide
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