🐒 Nagano · 2–3 days
Japan Alps & Snow Monkeys Drive: Matsumoto to the Jigokudani Valley
A 2–3 day Nagano road trip from Matsumoto up through the Japan Alps to Hakuba, then across to Zenko-ji, Obuse and the snow monkeys of Jigokudani — 7 michi-no-eki through Japan’s highland heart.
Nagano packs more of Japan’s postcard into one prefecture than almost anywhere: the black keep of Matsumoto Castle, the wasabi farms and alpine wall of Azumino, the ski valleys of Hakuba, the great temple of Zenko-ji, and — the reason most first-timers come — the wild macaques that bathe in a steaming hot spring at Jigokudani. None of it links up neatly by train, which is exactly why it makes such a good drive.
This route starts at Matsumoto, the alps gateway, and climbs north through Azumino’s wasabi country to the onsen resort of Hakuba, then swings east over the hills past Zenko-ji and the chestnut town of Obuse to Yamanouchi — the michi-no-eki at the foot of the Snow Monkey Park and the old hot-spring lanes of Shibu Onsen. The stops below sell some of Japan’s best fruit (Nagano apples, grapes and peaches) and every one has free parking and 24-hour restrooms, so the drive also suits campervans.
The stops, in driving order
- 1 Michi-no-Eki Imai Megumi No Sato 道の駅 今井 恵みの里 · Nagano
Michi-no-Eki Imai Megumi No Sato (道の駅 今井 恵みの里) is a government-designated roadside station in 松本市, Nagano, Japan, registered in 2009 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop, a park and an accessible restroom. There is free parking for about 71 cars and 19 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 8:30–17:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chubu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Kosakata Kouen, Kazaana No Sato and Arupusu Azumino Horiganeno Sato.
Nearby: 🖼Art Friend (10.8 km) · 🏛Matsumoto City Timepiece Museum (11.2 km)
- 2 Michi-no-Eki Azumino Matsukawa 道の駅 安曇野松川 · Nagano
Michi-no-Eki Azumino Matsukawa (道の駅 安曇野松川) is a government-designated roadside station in 北安曇郡松川村, Nagano, Japan, registered in 1998 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, free Wi-Fi and a park. There is free parking for about 33 cars and 7 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–18:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chubu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Ikeda, Ikusakano Sato and Arupusu Azumino Horiganeno Sato.
Nearby: 🏛Takahashi Setsuro Art Museum of Azumino (5.1 km) · 🏛田淵行男記念館 (8.5 km)
- 3 Michi-no-Eki Pokapoka Rando Miasa 道の駅 ぽかぽかランド美麻 · Nagano
Michi-no-Eki Pokapoka Rando Miasa (道の駅 ぽかぽかランド美麻) is a government-designated roadside station in 大町市, Nagano, Japan, registered in 2000 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a hot-spring (onsen) bath, a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop and lodging. There is free parking for about 84 cars and 8 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 10:00–17:30〔施設により異なる〕. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chubu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Hakuba, Ogawa and Naganoshi Oooka Tokusan Sentaa.
Nearby: 🏛Nishimaru Shinya Memorial Hall (7.7 km) · ⛰Mt. Jiigatake (13 km)
- 4 Michi-no-Eki Hakuba 道の駅 白馬 · Nagano
Michi-no-Eki Hakuba (道の駅 白馬) is a government-designated roadside station in 北安曇郡白馬村, Nagano, Japan, registered in 1996 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop, a baby room and an accessible restroom. There is free parking for about 33 cars and 6 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–18:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chubu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Pokapoka Rando Miasa, Ogawa and Chuujou.
Nearby: ⛰Mt. Goryu (8.5 km) · ⛰Mt. Karamatsu (9.1 km)
- 5 Michi-no-Eki Ogawa 道の駅 おがわ · Nagano
Michi-no-Eki Ogawa (道の駅 おがわ) is a government-designated roadside station in 上水内郡小川村, Nagano, Japan, registered in 2007 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop and an accessible restroom. There is free parking for about 60 cars and 2 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:30–19:30. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chubu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Chuujou, Shinshuushin Machi and Pokapoka Rando Miasa.
Nearby: 🌄大望峠展望台 (12.7 km) · 🌄湯ノ峰夕陽天望苑 (15.3 km)
- 6 Michi-no-Eki Oashisu Obuse 道の駅 オアシスおぶせ · Nagano
Michi-no-Eki Oashisu Obuse (道の駅 オアシスおぶせ) is a government-designated roadside station in 上高井郡小布施町, Nagano, Japan, registered in 2002 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, a campground and a park. There is free parking for about 181 cars and 5 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 6/1–6/30 全館休業（修繕工事中）. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chubu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Hokushin Shuu Yamanouchi, Furusato Toyoda and Shinano.
Nearby: 🏛Iizuna Apple Museum (9 km) · 📸Nagano Airport (10 km)
- 7 Michi-no-Eki Hokushin Shuu Yamanouchi 道の駅 北信州やまのうち · Nagano
Michi-no-Eki Hokushin Shuu Yamanouchi (道の駅 北信州やまのうち) is a government-designated roadside station in 下高井郡山ノ内町, Nagano, Japan, registered in 1998 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop, a tourist-information desk and an accessible restroom. There is free parking for about 76 cars and 5 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 8:30–18:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chubu road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Furusato Toyoda, Oashisu Obuse and Farmus Kijima Taira.
Nearby: ⛰Kosha San (6.4 km) · ⛰Mt. Asahi (6.8 km)
Make this route yours — load all 7 stops into the planner, reorder or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
Customize this route →Route tips
- The Snow Monkey Park is a 30–40 minute uphill walk from the car park at Yamanouchi — wear real shoes, and in winter add crampons (rented at the trailhead).
- Matsumoto Castle and the Daio Wasabi Farm in Azumino make an easy first morning before you head up into the mountains.
- Hakuba is a green-season hiking base as well as a ski town; the Pokapoka Land Miasa onsen near Omachi is a good soak on the way through.
- Nagano winters need studless snow tires and some snow-driving confidence — book a car with them, or run this as a green-season route from May to October.
Before you drive
- Can you drive in Japan? License rules by country
- Renting a car in Japan: the complete guide
- Can you sleep overnight at a michi-no-eki?
FAQ — Nagano Alps & snow monkeys
How many days do you need for the Nagano Alps & snow monkeys route?
2–3 days is a comfortable pace: roughly 140 km of driving with 7 michi-no-eki stops along the way. You can compress it, but the stops are the point.
Where does the route start and end?
It starts at Matsumoto and ends at Yamanouchi (Snow Monkey Park). Load all 7 stops into the free MichiStops route planner to reorder, add or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
When is the best season to drive this route?
Year-round; snow monkeys are most photogenic December–March, the alps greenest June–October.
Do I need to rent a car?
Yes — michi-no-eki are roadside stations, realistically reachable only by rental car or campervan. Most visitors can drive in Japan with a 1949-convention International Driving Permit; check the license rules for your country before booking. License rules by country →
Can I sleep overnight at the michi-no-eki on this route?
Resting overnight in your vehicle is tolerated at most michi-no-eki (camping outside the vehicle is not), and 1 stop on this route has a proper campground next door. Read the overnight-stay guide for the etiquette. Overnight-stay guide →