5days

Travel Plan

6 Best Travel Plans to Get Around the Holy Land of Samurai and Ninja

Travel Summary

Utilizing the Shoryudo 5-Day Pass, this course tours the greater Central Japan area, visiting three castles, places related to the Ninja, and the popular Takayama and Kanazawa areas.

[ Recommended Tickets: Shoryudo Bus Pass 5days ]

  • Day 1

    • Nagoya Castle
    • Tokugawa Garden
    • Arimatsu
    • Atsuta Jingu
    • Osu　
    • Matsumoto

  • Day 2

    • Matsumoto Castle
    • Ueda Castle
    • Zenkoji
    • Togakushi Ninja Museum
    • Takayama

  • Day 3

    • Shinhotaka Ropeway
    • Takayama Jinya
    • Old Town
    • Gero

  • Day 4

    • Shirakawago
    • Gokayama
    • Kanazawa

  • Day 5

    • Kenrokuen
    • Kanazawa Castle
    • Higashi Chaya District
    • Toyama Castle Park
    • Nagoya

Day 1

  • Start
    Take the train about 30 minutes from Central Japan International Airport Station to Meitetsu Nagoya Station
    Head off to your first destination, Nagoya Castle!
    If you want to explore the city of Nagoya, the Meguru one-day unlimited bus ticket is your best bet. You can enjoy sightseeing spots in the city and also receive discounts and special offers when you show the ticket.
  • Nagoya

    • Nagoya Castle

      Nagoya Castle is famous as the pinnacle of modern castle architecture. Visitors can also meet the popular Nagoya Omotenashi Bushoutai! Near the castle, visitors can savor local delicacies from the Chubu region at Kinshachi Yokocho.

    • Tokugawa Garden

      Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden at Tokugawa Garden no matter what time of year they visit. The garden includes a coffee shop, so you can enjoy an exquisite moment over a cup of tea.

    • Arimatsu

      Explore the atmospheric streets and the world of traditional Arimatsu Shibori.

    • Atsuta Jingu

      Atsuta Jingu is a representative shrine of Nagoya, with over 1,900 years of history. Take a stroll in the lush green precincts of the shrine.

    • Osu

      Osu is home to a variety of stores offering everything from maid cafes to international cuisine and electronics to the latest fashions. The vibrant shopping district attracts men and women of all ages.
  • Take the express bus about 210 minutes from Meitetsu Bus Center to Matsumoto Bus Terminal
  • Matsumoto Matsumoto overlooks the mountains of the Japanese Alps. Sample the hearty local delicacy Sanzokuyaki!

Day 2

  • Matsumoto

    • Matsumoto Castle

      Matsumoto Castle is the oldest castle in Japan among the remaining five-tiered, six-story donjon castles. The beautiful castle stands against the backdrop of the Japanese Alps.

    • Ueda Castle

      Ueda Castle is known as an impregnable castle. Visitors can meet the Shinshu Ueda Omotenashi Bushotai.

    • Zenkoji

      A Buddhist temple where visitors can experience sutra copying and zazen meditation, and see a hidden Buddha statue. In the Edo period (1603-1867), this temple was so revered that the phrase, "Once in a lifetime, Zenkoji" was coined.

    • Togakushi Folk Museum, Togakushi Ninja Museum, Ninja Trick Mansion

      Enjoy the Ninja Trick Mansion with many hidden tricks in the town of one of Japan's three great ninja clans, the Togakure Ninja!
  • Take the express bus about 90 minutes from Matsumoto Bus Terminal to Hirayu Onsen
  • Okuhida (Takayama)

    • Hirayu Onsen

      Hirayu Onsen was discovered by Shingen Takeda, a warlord in the Warring States period.
  • Take the local bus about 45 minutes from Hirayu Onsen to Tochio Onsen
  • Okuhida Hot Spring Village Okuhida Hot Spring Village has over 100 thermal springs. There are a variety of hot springs, from casual foot baths to private baths and open-air baths.

Day 3

  • Take the local bus about 30 minutes from Tochio Onsen to Shinhotaka Ropeway.
    *Separate ticket required
  • Shinhotaka (Takayama)

    • Shinhotaka Ropeway

      Take Japan's only double-decker ropeway to the mountain summit! A new viewing spot overlooking the Northern Alps opened in the fall of 2022.
  • Take the local bus about 100 minutes from Shinhotaka Ropeway to Takayama Bus Terminal
  • Takayama

    • Takayama Jinya

      The last residence of the Edo period. Check out the traditional Japanese pattern Aomiha painted on the alcove and the beautiful garden.

    • Old Town

      Stroll through the old townscape with its Edo period atmosphere.
  • Take the local bus about 85 minutes from Takayama Bus Terminal to Gero Eki Mae
  • Gero Soothe your travel fatigue in the famous hot spring known as Bijin-no-yu(Beauty water). Spend the day strolling the streets of the hot spring resort.

Day 4

  • Take the local or express bus about 130 minutes from Gero Eki Mae Station to Takayama Hida Bus Center. Or take the express bus from Takayama Bus Terminal to Shirakawago
  • Shirakawago (Takayama)

    • Shirakawago

      This popular spot is lined with traditional thatched roof houses characteristic of areas with heavy snowfall. The winter season is a particularly enchanting time to visit.
  • Take the local bus about 45 minutes from Shirakawago to Ainokuraguchi
  • Toyama

    • Gokayama

      If you are looking to see the original scenery of old Japan, go to Gokayama. You can also experience traditional Japanese paper making.
  • Take the local bus about 50 minutes from Ainokuraguchi or Suganuma to Shirakawago
  • Takayama
    Return to Shirakawago and depart for Kanazawa!
    Take the express bus about 75 minutes from Shirakawago to Kanazawa Station East Entrance
  • Kanazawa Kanazawa is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. Eat to your hearts content!

Day 5

  • Kanazawa

    • Kenrokuen

      About 360 years old, this is the most famous garden in Japan. Its seasonal beauty attracts visitors all year round.

    • Kanazawa Castle

      The castle was constructed using traditional Japanese architectural techniques, without the use of nails. Witness the craftsmanship of the masters.

    • Higashi Chaya District

      Stone-paved streets and traditional Edo-period architecture line the streets of this picturesque spot. Visitors can indulge in unusual delicacies such as ice cream made with gold leaf.
  • Take the express bus about 60 minutes from Kanazawa Station East Entrance to Toyama Station
  • Toyama

    • Toyama Castle Park

      Toyama Castle is in Toyama Castle Park, and visitors can try on armor and kimonos. Come and be a samurai warrior!
  • Take the express bus about 220 minutes from Toyama Station to the Meitetsu Bus Center
  • Nagoya
    Take the train about 30 minutes from Metetsu Nagoya Station to Central Japan International Station
  • Goal
    Chubu Centrair International Airport Your trip is almost over. Have you left anything undone?
    Don't worry. There are many souvenir stores and restaurants inside the Central Japan International Airport Centrair, where you can taste the local specialties of the Central Japan Region.