Road-trip routes

Japan road-trip itineraries, stop by stop

Twelve drives we'd actually do — onsen loops, coastal roads and alpine crossings, each built around the best michi-no-eki along the way. Open any route in the planner, make it yours, then send it straight to Google Maps.

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♨ Hokkaido · 2–3 days · 8 stops Hokkaido Onsen Loop: Lakes, Volcanoes & Hot-Spring Towns A 2–3 day Hokkaido road trip from New Chitose Airport: Lake Shikotsu, Niseko, Lake Toya and Noboribetsu onsen, linked by 8 michi-no-eki roadside stations. View the route →
🗻 Yamanashi / Shizuoka · 1–2 days · 7 stops Mt Fuji Loop: Fuji Five Lakes & Asagiri Highlands Circle Mt Fuji by car in 1–2 days: Fuji Five Lakes, Asagiri highlands and 7 michi-no-eki with the mountain in view almost the whole way. View the route →
🌊 Shizuoka · 2 days · 8 stops Izu Peninsula Coastal Loop: Onsen, Cliffs & Seafood A 2-day Izu Peninsula drive from Tokyo: east coast onsen at Ito, Shimoda’s beaches, the wild west coast at Matsuzaki and Toi — with 8 michi-no-eki stops. View the route →
🏖 Chiba · 1–2 days · 9 stops Boso Peninsula Loop: Tokyo’s Easiest Coastal Road Trip The easiest coastal road trip from Tokyo: across the Aqua-Line to the Boso Peninsula’s beaches, flower fields and 9 michi-no-eki — doable in a weekend. View the route →
🌾 Ishikawa · 2 days · 9 stops Noto Peninsula Loop: Rice Terraces & the Sea of Japan A 2-day drive from Kanazawa around the Noto Peninsula: the Chirihama beach driveway, Shiroyone Senmaida rice terraces, Wajima and the wild outer coast — 9 michi-no-eki stops. View the route →
🏔 Nagano / Gifu / Toyama · 2–3 days · 8 stops Matsumoto to Kanazawa: Takayama & Shirakawa-go Drive The Japan Alps crossing by car: Matsumoto to Kanazawa via Takayama, Hida Furukawa and the UNESCO villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, with 8 michi-no-eki along the way. View the route →
⛩ Wakayama · 2–3 days · 8 stops Kii Peninsula Coast: Kumano Kodo by Car Drive the Kumano coast: Shirahama’s beaches, Hashigui-iwa rock spires, Nachi Falls and the grand shrines of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage — 8 michi-no-eki stops on Japan’s spiritual south coast. View the route →
🌋 Kumamoto / Oita · 2 days · 6 stops Kumamoto to Beppu: The Aso Volcano & Onsen Road Kyushu’s greatest drive: across the Aso caldera and the Yamanami Highway to Yufuin and Beppu, with 6 michi-no-eki including Nagayu’s carbonated onsen. View the route →
🏜 Tottori / Shimane · 2 days · 8 stops San’in Coast: Tottori Sand Dunes to Izumo Taisha Japan’s uncrowded northern coast: Tottori Sand Dunes, Hawai onsen, Mt Daisen views, Matsue castle town and Izumo Taisha — 8 michi-no-eki along the San’in coast. View the route →
🌅 Iwate (Aomori–Miyagi) · 2–3 days · 9 stops Sanriku Coast: Tohoku’s Cliff Road from Hachinohe to Rikuzentakata Drive Tohoku’s Sanriku coast: Kitayamazaki cliffs, Jodogahama beach, amber and sea-urchin at Kuji, and the 2011 memorial parks — 9 michi-no-eki along Japan’s recovery road. View the route →
🌺 Okinawa · 2 days · 7 stops Okinawa Main Island: Naha to Cape Hedo Coastal Drive Okinawa by rental car: from Itoman in the south along the west-coast beaches to Yanbaru jungle and Cape Hedo — 7 michi-no-eki with island food and ocean views. View the route →
🐋 Tokushima / Kochi · 2–3 days · 9 stops Shikoku’s Pacific Coast: Tokushima to the Shimanto River Shikoku’s wild south coast by car: surf beaches, Cape Muroto’s geopark, Katsurahama at Kochi and the clear Shimanto River — 9 michi-no-eki on the pilgrimage coast. View the route →

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