This blog shares our itinerary, hotels, where we stayed, what we ate, and the cities we visited. If you are interested to do a road trip in Central Japan, just copy this route.
Day 1 SG to Chubu Centrair International Airport with SIA
Car Rental
Arrived in the morning and picked up our rental car to kick off the road trip. We booked through Trip.com with a company called RDZ. They picked us up directly from the airport and drove us to their office, which was about a 10-minute drive away. We originally arranged to meet at 10am, but since we arrived earlier, we asked them to pick us up at 9am instead. There was an additional charge of 650 yen for the earlier pickup, which was understandable.
After signing a few papers, we were ready to start our journey.
The rental cost us SGD326 for 9 days, and we got a Toyota Prius hybrid. It turned out to be very fuel-efficient — throughout the entire 9-day trip, we only spent around SGD80 on fuel.
- 9 days SGD326
- Toll is about SGD200+ paid by cash everytime
- Didn’t opt for insurance
One downside was that all the ETC cards had run out due to Japan’s Golden Week period, so unfortunately we couldn’t get one. This made things slightly inconvenient because we had to pay cash every time we exited a toll. Having an ETC card would have made the journey smoother, and it also comes with around 20–30% toll discounts. Normally, you don’t need to pay toll fees on the spot with ETC — the charges are calculated after you return the car, and the rental company will let you know the total amount based on your usage.
IDP International Driving Permit
Before that, make sure to get your International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country.
In Singapore, you can apply through the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS). You can either apply online or visit their office in person at:
- AAS Office (HQ) – 535 Kallang Bahru, Singapore (pay SGD20 and get it on the spot)
You’ll need to bring both your IDP and your original driving licence when driving in Japan. Both documents are required when collecting your rental car, so it’s important to prepare them before your trip.
Day 1
- Gero
- Enakyo Service Area for lunch
- Maze village for the night
The first city we drove to was Gero — and there’s a reason for that.
Instead of heading straight into a busy city like Nagoya, we chose to drive out towards the countryside first. Gero is a much quieter onsen town, which makes it a great place to ease into driving in Japan. The roads are calmer, traffic is lighter, and it feels more relaxed compared to city driving.
It’s also a good way to get used to the car, the road system, and driving on the left side again without the pressure of heavy traffic. After a long night flight, your energy and focus aren’t always at 100%, so it’s not ideal to immediately dive into a busy city centre.
Starting in a small town like Gero gives you time to adjust, recover, and build confidence before tackling bigger cities later in the trip.
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Enakyo Service Area for lunch
Enakyo Service Area is a good stop for lunch on the expressway — easy parking, clean toilets, and decent food options. There are also plenty of small snacks, making it a convenient place to rest and recharge during your drive.
We had kitsune udon for 800 yen and a karaage rice ramen set for 1,350 yen. Went to Family mart and bought an ice-cream 194yen and Georgia latte 193yen
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Gero town
In Gero, we parked at the Gero City Hall Parking Area — a convenient and free parking spot right in town.
From there, it’s easy to explore on foot. Bring a small towel with you, or buy one in town, because you’ll want it for the public foot onsen scattered around the area. It’s a nice way to relax and experience the onsen culture.
Food-wise, Gero is known for its Hida beef, and the local pudding desserts are also a must-try. Simple, local, and very satisfying after a day of driving.
We bought a Jimi Tamago soft serve for 620 yen — the egg taste was surprisingly fresh with no strong smell at all. We also picked up a Gero towel for 550 yen featuring the Hida mascot (Sarubobo) , said to bring good luck.
To end it off, we got a beer for 770 yen and a cute frog soft toy for 600 yen. “Gero” also sounds similar to a frog’s croak in Japanese, which is why frogs are such a big mascot theme around the town.
Where to stay? Miki no Sato Hotel SGD188 Dinner & Breakfast
Address:
1695 Maze Nishimura, Gero City, Gifu 509-2615, Japan
We stayed at Miki no Sato in Maze Nishimura (馬瀬西村), a quiet countryside village about 30–40 minutes from Gero Onsen town. The stay cost around SGD188 including dinner, which made it great value for a traditional ryokan-style experience.
We arrived at around 4pm and were welcomed by a peaceful rural setting with free parking right on site. There is also a signboard stating that Maze is considered one of Japan’s most beautiful villages, which immediately sets the tone for how scenic and quiet the area is.
Onsen Experience
The onsen here is one of the highlights. We visited from 4.30pm to 5.30pm, and there are around 15 different types of baths to try.
- Women’s bath is located on the 2nd floor
- Men’s bath is in the basement
Facilities include indoor and outdoor baths with mountain views, a deep pool, lavender/beauty bath, massage jets, shoulder and head water streams, and even a sauna area. There’s also a unique shower room designed for full-body water massage.
The outdoor bath is especially memorable — open-air with mountain views, birds chirping, and a very calm countryside atmosphere.
Basic amenities are well provided, including shampoo, body soap, hair dryer, and cold water dispensers after bathing. Items like toothbrushes and hair ties can be collected at the front desk.
The onsen is also open to non-staying guests for 700 yen (adult) / 500 yen (child).
Dinner Experience
Dinner is served at the restaurant. You’ll need to bring your room key tag as identification when entering.
Dinner is arranged in time slots (5.30pm / 6pm / 6.30pm / 7pm). The meal includes:
- Chicken hotpot (tori nabe)
- Sashimi (salmon and maguro, 4 slices total)
- Rice, miso soup, and pickles
- Fresh fruits (orange and pineapple)
- Tea and iced water
While we were at dinner, staff prepared the futon in our room — so it’s best to bring your valuables with you.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served the next morning in two time slots: 7.30am or 8am.
Other Facilities
There is a small omiyage (souvenir) shop at the lobby where you can find local snacks and gifts.
Other fees upon check out
- Hotel tax 200 yen per pax
- Onsen bath tax 150 yen per pax
Day 2
- Takayama old town
- Shirakawa go
- Kanazawa
At Takayama, lunch at
- 📍 Takumiya Yasukawa (匠家 安川)
- Address 24 Okuharamachi, Takayama, Gifu, Japan
- 2 sets of beef rice bowl total 5500 yen
- Parking is 600 yen
- Had a strawberry mochi manju 590 yen
- Hida beef hot bun 500 yen
- Tango 120 yen
Shirakawa Go
- Parking 2000 yen inside the village
Where we stay?
ANA holiday inn Kanazawa SGD 147 + breakfast
We arrived and checked into ANA Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky at around 5pm. One thing to note is that the hotel lobby is located on the 16th floor, not the ground floor. Right beside the lobby, there’s a small complimentary drink area with free soft drinks, coffee, and tea — a nice little perk after a day of driving.
The room felt slightly compact, but that’s quite expected considering the hotel is right in the city centre. The location is very convenient with lots of eateries and shopping nearby, and it’s only about a 5-minute walk to famous fish market Omicho market area.
Parking
For those driving, parking is directly connected to the hotel. We parked on Level 5, although Level 4 is reserved for women-only parking. To access the hotel entrance from the car park, head towards the shopping mall area on Level 3 — you’ll see a row of vending machines before entering. Parking costs 1,000 yen per day, and remember to pass your parking ticket to the front desk for validation.
There is also a Kanazawa city tax of 200 yen per person, so we paid 400 yen in total upon check-in.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served from 6.30am–10am on Level 16, right beside the lobby. No breakfast coupon is needed — simply provide your room number when entering. The breakfast spread was quite good with a decent variety of Japanese and Western options, although it wasn’t as elaborate or luxurious as the breakfast you’d typically get at an onsen ryokan. Still, it was a satisfying way to start the day before heading out to explore Kanazawa. Must try the iconic Kanazawa curry, is different from other region, darker and thicker.
Dinner at Yatai Zushi Restaurant
15 min walk from hotel, highly recommended.
For dinner, we headed to Yatai Zushi Restaurant and spent 3,131 yen in total. We ordered a mix of dishes including a 9-piece sushi set (1,099 yen), steamed clams with sake (549 yen), octopus in vinegar (604 yen) and a beef tofu hotpot (879 yen).
Later, we stopped by the supermarket inside Kanazawa Station and somehow ended up buying way more snacks than planned. We picked up local drinks, desserts and fruits including a Kanazawa craft beer, sake, pudding, black sesame dessert, zenzai, strawberries and a Nijumaru orange (にじゅう丸) — a premium Japanese citrus known for being very sweet, juicy and easy to peel. Think of it as a luxury version of a mikan 🍊
At Kanazawa Station Tsuzumi Gate, the famous gate is called Tsuzumi Gate (鼓門).
It’s the large wooden gate in front of Kanazawa Station, designed to resemble a traditional Japanese hand drum called a tsuzumi, which is used in Noh theatre. It’s one of Kanazawa’s most recognizable landmarks and a popular photo spot, especially at night when it’s lit up.
After a long day, it was the perfect way to end our first night in Kanazawa.
Day 3
Kanazawa city tour
- Omicho Market
- Kanazawa Castle
- Kenrokuen Garden ticket 320 yen per pax
- Higashi Chaya district
- Nagamachi Samurai District
Omicho Market
Omicho Market is only 5 mins walk from Ana Holiday Inn.
At Ōmichō Market, I personally felt the seafood prices were much higher compared to eating at restaurants. We had a grilled sea snail, oyster, and clam, and the total came up to around 2,300 yen. In comparison, a restaurant sushi set with 9 pieces of assorted sushi only cost around 1,000 yen, which felt like much better value.
Right in the middle of the market, there’s also a supermarket selling fresh sushi, sashimi, seafood, and cooked items. I found the prices there slightly more reasonable, but you’ll likely have to stand while eating, and it can get very crowded.
For me, Omicho Market felt more like a place to walk around, soak in the atmosphere, and see the seafood displays rather than somewhere I’d specifically come for a full meal.
Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden
From Ōmichō Market, you can easily walk over to Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en, making it a nice route to explore on foot.
And don’t forget to try Kanazawa’s famous gold leaf ice cream 🍦 A half gold leaf topping costs around 800 yen, while the full gold leaf version is around 1,000 yen. It’s definitely more about the experience and photo moment, but since Kanazawa is famous for gold leaf, it’s one of those things worth trying at least once.
Then we headed back to Omicho market to have lunch and this is what we ate:
From the grilled shop
- BBQ grilled oyster x1, sea snail x1, clam x1 =2250yen
From the supermarket in Omicho Market
- Fish teriyaki 280 yen
- Wakame salad 280yen
- Crab legs 1500 yen
- Oyster rice 780 yen
- Total is 2840yen
Bought
- a shio salt mochi dessert 180 yen
- Dried fish snacks and squid to bring home x3 (600 yen each, total 1800 yen)
- Strawberry 450 yen
- Dried persimmon 600 yen
Later in the afternoon, we headed out again with our car and these were the parking areas we used during our time exploring the city.
Higashi Chaya district Parking
- Address:
Higashiyama 1 Chome, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan - 1200 yen, paid by machine based on how long you stayed there.
Nagamachi Samurai District Parking
- Address:
1 Chome-2-1 Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0865, Japan - 350 yen
Dinner at M’za Department store, right next to ANA Holiday Inn Hotel, had okonomiyaki, very yummy and cheap.
Botejyu Kanazawa M’ZA is located inside the basement level (B1F) of Kanazawa M’za, right opposite Ōmichō Market.
- Address:
B1F, 15-1 Musashimachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0855, Japan - Okonomiyaki pancake and yakisoba cost 2240yen
Day 4
- Takaoka Zuiryuji Temple
- Aeon Mall Takaoka for lunch
- Himi
- Amaharashi Coast
- Eihokaku Onsen Ryokan
Day Trip: Kanazawa → Takaoka → Himi Coastal Drive (Food + Scenic Route)
We left Kanazawa at 9am and started our drive towards Takaoka, which took about 1 hour. The journey started with a small hiccup — we accidentally entered an ETC-only exit lane. Luckily, there was an intercom, and the staff helped open the gate and let us make a U-turn back onto the highway.
Zuiryuji Temple, Takaoka
Our first stop was Zuiryu-ji Temple, a beautiful historic temple.
- Entrance fee: 500 yen per person
- Parking: Free (Zuiryuji Tourist Parking)
A calm and impressive temple complex, perfect for a short cultural stop before continuing the drive.
AEON Mall Takaoka
Next, we stopped at AEON Mall Takaoka.
- Parking: Free
- Shopped for skincare: 5,049 yen total
- Face cream x2: 3,564 yen
- Eye cream: 1,485 yen
Lunch at AEON Food Court
- Gindaco Takoyaki: 835 yen
- Seasonal version with lots of scallions
- Taste was slightly sweet and very satisfying
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Kanazawa Miso Ramen
We also had ramen at Kanazawa Miso Ramen
- Total: 2,530 yen (1,155 + 1,375 yen)
- Portion is very big — easily shareable for 2 people
Rich miso broth and hearty noodles, perfect for a road trip meal.
Himi Fish Market
We then drove to Himi and parked at Himi Banya-gai Parking.
We explored the fish market area and bought these from the market
- Strawberry (ichigo): 600 yen
- Mandarin (mikan): 600 yen (slightly sour)
- Green Manju sweet: 340 yen
A casual stop to enjoy fresh local snacks by the sea. Also enjoyed the foot bath onsen next to Banya gai.
Amaharashi Coast
Next stop was Amaharashi Coast.
- Parking: Free (multiple areas near the coast)
We bought snacks for 1,188 yen at the Michi no Eki and spent time at the viewing area and beach. This spot is famous for its sea view with mountains in the background. Wait for the orange train to pass by and you can the iconic video or pictures.
Bought dinner at Lawson to have it in our Ryokan hotel
Dinner from Lawson
We ended the day by buying dinner from Lawson for a total of 3,368 yen, including snacks like:
- Sushi & temaki
- Muscat beer
- Yakitori & karaage
- Zenzai, kintsuba, potato salad
- Pasta & side dishes
- Facials makeup remover (638 yen included in total)
A simple but satisfying convenience store dinner after a long driving day.
Where we stay Eihokaku Onsen Hotel
We checked into Eihokaku at 5pm.
- Price: SGD153.71 (with breakfast)
- Free parking available
- Seaview onsen hotel
- Room fits up to 5 pax (2 beds + futon)
- Very spacious, great for relaxing or even dining in-room
- Breakfast was buffet-style with a wide variety of options, very Japanese in style and super yummy. Everything was served in small portions on individual plates, making it easy to pick and go. There was even a traditional charcoal grill where you could reheat fish or sausages, which made the experience feel even more authentic.
- Onsen bath is overlooking the sea and Tateyama mountain range, super relaxing.
- Bath tax 150yen per pax
- At the omiyage shop in hotel, bought snacks 2560yen
We didn’t include dinner here as it was quite expensive, so we opted for Lawson instead.
Day 5
- Arisoumi Rest Area
- Kurobe Gorge Railway
- Unatsuki Onsen Hotel
Arisoumi Rest Area
To visit Kurobe Gorge Railway, we stopped by Arisoumi Rest Area along the way. We picked up some snacks there, including Toyama pudding cookies and a few other local treats — a nice little break before continuing the drive to the station.
We bought some omiyage snacks for a total of 1,814 yen, including prawn crackers and salt cookies. Next to the souvenir shop, there was also a Lawson convenience store where we picked up more snacks — including Toyama pudding cookies 860yen, orange peel cookies 322yen, and dried sweet potatoes 181yen. The total came up to 3,211 yen, paid using YouTrip.
Kurobe Gorge Railway & Onsen Stay (Unazuki Onsen Trip)
We started the day with a visit to the Kurobe Gorge Railway, one of the most scenic train rides in Japan. The drive up was smooth and we parked right outside the station.
Parking was very straightforward — there’s a machine where you key in your car plate, select your vehicle, and the camera system matches your entry. Payment is capped at 1,000 yen, which made it very convenient. Alternatively, you can also park at nearby hotels and walk over.
For the train ride, we paid a total of 5,640 yen for 2 pax. We also added an extra 1,200 yen (600 yen for 1 pax) for the indoor relaxed seating, which made the journey more comfortable.
- Relax seat and normal seat. Relax has to pay extra 600 yen
Lunch at the Station
Before boarding, we had lunch at the station, spending about 2,000 yen in total:
- Udon: 900 yen
- Ramen: 1,100 yen
We walked around the onsen town but couldn’t really find many places to eat, so the best option for lunch was still at the station.
Where we stay? Kurobe Unazuki Onsen
After the ride, we checked into Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Yanaginoha Hotel at around 2.30pm.
- Price: SGD249 (including buffet dinner + breakfast)
- Free parking
- We stayed on Level 5
Afternoon Walk & Relaxation
After check-in, we rested for about an hour before heading out again at 3.30pm. We walked to a nearby red bridge and tunnel area to explore the surroundings.
By 4.30pm, we returned to the hotel and went for a short rest before heading to the onsen.
Onsen Experience
We enjoyed the onsen at 5pm, which includes both indoor and outdoor baths.
One interesting detail is that the onsen layout changes for men and women the next day, so each gender gets a different view. For us, the evening bath had a beautiful view facing the red bridge — especially relaxing at night.
Facilities are located on Level 1, which also includes a game room.
Buffet Dinner (6pm Reservation)
After check-in, we scanned a QR code to book our dinner slot. The buffet operates on a 90-minute seating system, and we chose 6pm.
Dinner was very impressive with a wide spread:
- Sushi & sashimi (chef making sushi live in front of guests)
- BBQ pork
- Tempura
- Local ramen and noodles
- Desserts
Fresh, abundant, and well-prepared — definitely one of the highlights of the stay.
Hotel Layout
- Level 1: Onsen + game room
- Level 2: Restaurant (dinner & breakfast buffet)
- Level 3: Front desk
- Level 5: Our room
It’s better to book the dinner in advance, because there are very limited or no restaurants open nearby in the evening, especially in onsen towns like Unazuki. Most guests just eat at the hotel buffet or convenience store food if they didn’t pre-book.
Check out
We checked out at 9am from the hotel. Before leaving, we paid an onsen fee of 300 yen for 2 pax, which was done easily at the machine by keying in our room number. After payment, we simply dropped the room key at the key drop box.
We also bought some souvenirs at the souvenirs shop before leaving — 2 packs of white prawn senbei for 1,490 yen (745 yen each).
Day 6
- Rest Area stop in Expressway -Nadachi–Tanihama
- Lunch at Sogen Ramen Restaurant
- Nagano monkey park
- Drug store shopping
- Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa -check in
- Dinner at Yakiniku King – highly recommended
Rest Stop at Nadachi–Tanihama
At around 10:15am, we stopped at Nadachi–Tanihama Rest Area for a break before departing to Nagano monkey park.
- Matcha tea from vending machine: 200 yen (cash)
- Niigata facial skincare set: 1,980 yen (5 packs × 7 pieces = 35 pcs total)
We also filled up petrol for 5,858 yen (full tank, paid by credit card). Along the drive, we passed through many tunnels and paid tolls totaling 3,430 yen.
Lunch Stop
We stopped for lunch at Sogen Ramen restaurant and spent 2,500 yen (cash):
- Ramen: 1,050 yen
- Gyoza: 450 yen
- Yakitori: 900 yen
It’s more of an independent local ramen spot with parking available, especially convenient for road trips since it’s located near the Shinshu Nakano expressway exit.
Jigokudani Monkey Park
At around 1pm, we arrived at Jigokudani Monkey Park.
- Parking: 500 yen
- Entrance: 1,600 yen (800 yen per pax)
Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to see any monkeys during our visit, but the walk and natural surroundings were still worth the experience.
Drugstore Stop
We also stopped at a local drugstore and spent 5,170 yen on snacks and skincare items:
- Momo biscuits: 278 yen
- Biscuits: 213 yen
- Crackers: 429 yen
- Mixed grape candy: 224 yen
- Biore UV cream: 876 yen
- Toner: 990 yen
- Toner : 988 yen
- Moisturiser: 1,331 yen
A typical Japan drugstore haul — with no queues and barely any tourists since it’s located in a local neighbourhood.
Dinner – Yakiniku King
Dinner was at Yakiniku King buffet, costing 7,326 yen for 2 pax (~SGD59).
📍 Address: 〒381-0038 Nagano, Higashiwada, 字諏訪宮南沖８００−１
A very satisfying BBQ buffet with great variety and value. There were more than 100 items to order from the iPad menu, and the food was delivered directly through a conveyor belt system.
The buffet comes with a 90-minute dining limit, so we focused mainly on ordering the premium beef selections and skipped the chicken and pork altogether. The quality of the meat was surprisingly good, and the desserts were also really enjoyable.
I actually wanted to try the Korean cold noodles too, but by the end we were already too full to fit in anything else.
Where we stay in Nagano :Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa
The hotel has a public bath (onsen) which was great for relaxing after a long day of driving. Yukata are also provided for guests, giving the stay a more traditional Japanese hotel experience.
One nice perk was the complimentary lounge access from 4pm to 6pm, where guests could enjoy free drinks including coffee, soft drinks, wine, and beer, along with small snacks.
The room came with Western-style beds and was quite spacious compared to many city hotels in Japan. Our room also had a nice mountain view.
Breakfast timing needs to be reserved in advance, either through the machine at the hotel or with the check-in staff. Each breakfast slot is limited to 1 hour, so it’s better to book your preferred timing early.
Parking at Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa is free. There’s also a supermarket and drugstore located nearby, both within about a 5-minute walking distance, which makes it very convenient for picking up snacks, drinks, or daily necessities.
We stayed at Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa for 3 nights, although personally I think 2 nights would have been enough for this area.
Breakfast was buffet-style with a wide selection of choices, both Japanese and Western, although the overall taste was fairly average.
Day 7 Snow wall whole day
- Snow wall
- Supermarket next to hotel
- Shoryuen Yakiniku
There are two main entry points to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
1️⃣ Toyama Side (Tateyama Station)
This is the more common starting point if you are coming from Toyama. From here, you’ll take a series of transport including cable cars, buses, and ropeways through the mountains.
2️⃣ Nagano Side (Ogizawa Station)
This entrance is more convenient if you are staying in Nagano. You can drive to Ogizawa and start the Alpine Route from there.
Most travellers do a one-way journey from one side to the other instead of returning the same way. If you are doing a road trip, it’s important to plan properly because private cars are not allowed through the Alpine Route itself.
I booked our ticket online (12300yen each) for 11am, and we arrived at Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route via Ogizawa Station at around 10am. The drive from our hotel took about 1 hour through winding mountain roads, so we made sure to leave early and arrived with some buffer time before boarding.
Tip: Bring some snacks like bread or sushi with you, because at the top station in Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Murodo), food options can be very crowded and limited during peak hours. Having your own snacks makes the journey much more comfortable.
- 1️⃣ Trolley Bus – Ogizawa → Kurobe Dam Station
(Short tunnel ride through the mountain) - 2️⃣ Walk across Kurobe Dam
(Scenic walk over the dam area) - 3️⃣ Kurobe Cable Car – Kurobe Dam → Kurobeko Station
- 4️⃣ Kurobe Ropeway – Kurobeko → Daikanbo
(Panoramic views of the valley) - 5️⃣ Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus – Daikanbo → Murodo
We bought a pork bun for 600 yen each after seeing the snow wall.
We left Ogizawa at around 3pm, aiming to avoid the peak crowd. To make it in time, we started heading down from the top around 2pm.
Be prepared for queues along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — especially during peak hours, as waiting times for each transfer can be quite long.
- 430pm arrived in hotel and have the complimentary drinks
- 5pm onsen bath
- Visit supermarket next to hotel and bought 4213yen snacks in total
- strawberry 499 yen
- muscat oadifuku sweet 599 yen
- Ume Jelly 239 yen
- snack crackers 529 yen
- Mandarin orange 399
- Kawashi mochi 4pcs 299yen
Shoryuen Yakiniku
Address:
3934-4 Matsushiromachi Higashiterao, Nagano 381-1225, Japan
We walked to a nearby restaurant, Shoryuen Yakiniku, which came highly recommended.
We spent a total of 3,850 yen, ordering:
- Cold noodles: 900 yen
- Stone pot rice: 1,100 yen
- Special beef BBQ: 1,500 yen
- tax 350yen
It’s a local yakiniku restaurant in a residential area, popular for its Shinshu beef and very much a hidden gem rather than a chain.
Day 8
- Zenkoji Temple
- Aeon Mall Suzaka
- Obuse Town
- Dinner at Komugi Tei
Zenkoji Temple -free entrance
We visited Zenko-ji Temple and parked right nearby for 600 yen, which was very convenient for exploring the area on foot.
After the visit, we tried a local green tea 297yen sweet near the temple, which came with a chestnut filling — a simple but nice treat to enjoy while walking around the temple streets.
Aeon Mall Suzaka
口福堂 (Koufukudou) is a popular Japanese wagashi (traditional sweets) shop chain. Highly recommended.
- Warabi mochi 345 yen
- Black sesame dango 140 yen
- Banana daifuku 248 yen
- Total 733 yen
It is known for:
- Freshly made mochi (rice cakes)
- Daifuku (sweet filled rice cakes)
- Warabi mochi (soft jelly-like dessert)
- Seasonal Japanese sweets like chestnut, matcha, and strawberry desserts
Aeon food forest food court – very affordable
- Seafood spaghetti with clams, cabbage for 870 yen,
- prawn & squid for 790 yen
- Gindako takoyaki 825 yen
We stopped by an AEON supermarket to grab some snacks and picked up strawberries for 537 yen — fresh, sweet, and perfect for a quick treat. After that, we had ice cream for 580 yen at Kuri-an Fuumido, a nice little dessert stop to cool down while walking around the area.
Obuse town
Obuse (小布施) is a small, super charming town in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, and it’s often done as a half-day or relaxed day trip from Nagano City.
It’s known for three main things: chestnuts, art (Hokusai), and walkable streets. The whole town is compact, so you can explore everything on foot in a few hours.
🌰 What Obuse is famous for
Obuse is especially famous for its chestnut sweets (kuri) — you’ll see Mont Blanc cakes, wagashi, ice cream, and chestnut desserts everywhere.
It’s basically a dessert town if you like chestnuts.
🎨 Hokusai connection
The famous artist Katsushika Hokusai spent his later years here and created works while staying in Obuse.
You’ll still see his influence all over town, especially at temples and museums.
🚶 Things to do in Obuse
- Hokusai Museum – main highlight, lots of original artworks
- Gansho-in Temple – ceiling painting by Hokusai (phoenix artwork)
- Chestnut Street / old town walk – cute lanes, shops, cafés
- Sake breweries & local shops – tasting and souvenirs
- Museums & gardens – small but very aesthetic and peaceful
🕒 How long to stay
- ⏱️ 3–5 hours is enough for a quick visit
Obuse was already peaceful… then a rainbow appeared out of nowhere
Dinner at Komugi Tei
- Karage chicken udon set 1580yen
- Kyoza udon set 1500 yen
- Total 3080 yen
- There’s a small parking area right outside the restaurant, but it only fits about 1–2 cars. If it’s full, there’s a larger car park nearby within walking distance
Day 9
- Mastumoto Castle
- Komagatake Service Area
- Magome post town
- Enakyo Service Area
- return car
- Comfort Hotel near airport
Mastumoto Castle
- Parking near castle 1000 yen
Komagatake Service Area – lunch
Komagatake Service Area is a popular expressway rest stop along the Chūō Expressway, and it’s one of those service areas where people actually stop on purpose, not just for a quick break.
It’s well known for its beautiful mountain views of the Japanese Alps, especially on clear days. On a good day, you can literally see snow-capped peaks while eating your snack or coffee outside.
🚗 What you’ll find there
- 🍜 Local Nagano food (soba, curry, snacks)
- 🛍️ Souvenirs from the Kiso / Ina / Nagano region
- ☕ Cafés and quick bites
- 🌄 Outdoor viewing spots facing the mountains
- 🚻 Clean, spacious rest facilities (very road-trip friendly)
Vibe
It feels more like a mini travel stop with scenery, not just a highway rest area. Many people stop here specifically to take photos of the Alps.
- Shinju ramen fried rice set 1300 yen
- Shinju Soba 850 yen
- Total; 2150 yen
- Had a red bean gelato premium 630 yen
- Dried grapes 540 yen, truly value for money.
Magome
Magome-juku is a beautifully preserved post town along the old Nakasendō trail, famous for its stone-paved slope street, wooden buildings, and Edo-period atmosphere.
Parking situation (important tip)
- 🆓 Free parking is available further away from the town centre
- 💰 Paid parking is closer to the main street / entrance of the post town
- 🚶 Even if you park farther, it’s usually just a short walk uphill into Magome
Magome is quite compact — one main sloping street lined with:
- old wooden inns and houses
- souvenir shops and cafés
- soba noodle restaurants
- mountain views at the top of the town
It’s more about slow walking and soaking in the Edo-era vibe than rushing through attractions.
Simple takeaway
- Park further = free + short walk
- Park near entrance = convenient but paid
- The walk up is part of the experience
Because the exit was ETC-only, we couldn’t use it and had to detour via Nakatsugawa, which added about an extra hour to our drive.
“B-gate BBQ at Tokoname Station —
“We spent 7,600 yen and honestly it wasn’t worth it. The yakiniku beef only came with a few slices per plate and was too salty. On top of that, you must order a drink per person, and there’s also a 400 yen snack charge per pax (800 yen total) for just a small plate of peanuts. The cold noodles were just average. The seating area was also very crowded — we were sitting on old container boxes used as tables, with no proper space to put your feet, and basically no proper space to place the BBQ gas setup. Overall, not recommended and quite a disappointing experience.
Car return
Before returning the car, we made sure to fill up the petrol tank. We returned the car by 7pm, and then drove back to Comfort Hotel at Chubu Airport
Where we stay : Comfort Hotel Tokoname
Comfort Hotel Tokoname uses self check-in machines — just scan your passport and you’re done. The room is pretty small, like most airport hotels. It’s only about a 2-minute walk to the airport via a linked bridge, and you can even use the trolleys provided. Breakfast is simple. SGD126 include breakfast.
After checking into the hotel, we went to explore the airport and found that there are actually many restaurants and convenience stores there. We should have just eaten at the airport after returning our car so we wouldn’t have to rush, since our car return was only booked at 7pm. Most restaurants open till 9pm in the airport.
I went in a Japanese tibit store to get more crackers,
- Prawn cracker 540 yen x2
In order to use up all the coins, I went into Airport family mart to buy these:
- Ika cracker 118yen
- Prawn crackers 150 yen
- Peach sweet 213yen
Day 10 Flying back
Hotel breakfast starts at 6am, and it’s just a short walk to the airport — there’s already a Family Mart open. If you don’t eat at the hotel, you can just grab breakfast there.
Final thoughts:
This is a 10-day road trip covering the countryside in central Japan. Nagano is especially beautiful, with scenic mountain views and snow-capped peaks along the way. For Nagano, staying at Mercure Nagano for 2 nights is enough — 3 nights is a bit too long. You can plan another stop, maybe near Magome or Matsumoto, to break up the journey and explore more places along the way
Total spending for 2 pax:
- Airline Tickets – 1714.00
- Hotel – 1368.19
Gero, Hotel Miki (Include Dinner) – 159.10
Kanazawa, ANA Holiday Inn Kanazwa – 293.14
Nagano – Mercure Nagano Matsushiro resort – 387.39
Himi – Eihokaku – 153.71
Kurobe – UnazukiOnsen Yamanoha – 248.85
Comfort Hotel Central 126 - Car Rental – 326.02
- Travel Insurance – 70
- Credit Card – 256.87
YouTrip – 500
Cash – 600
Total – 4235.08 + 600 =SGD 4835.08 (for 2 people)