4days

Travel Plan

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

Travel Summary

Rent a car and take a tour of central Japan. Visit three historical castles, associated with warlords, hot spring resorts, and places known for their spectacular scenery.

  • Day 1

    • Gifu Castle
    • Cutler Sansyu Seki Hamono Museum
    • Mino Washi

  • Day 2

    • Gujo Hachiman
    • Gujo Castle
    • Gero

  • Day 3

    • Asuke
    • Korankei Gorge
    • Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum
    • Hikone Castle
    • Omihachiman

  • Day 4

    • Nagoya

Day 1

  • Start
    First stop, Gifu City!
    Drive about 60 minutes from Nagoya City to Gifu City in Gifu Prefecture
  • Gifu

    • Gifu Castle

      Gifu Castle, was the staging post for Oda Nobunaga's unification of Japan and is a symbol of Gifu Prefecture. Experience the world as Nobunaga envisioned it.

    • Hamonoya Sanshu Seki Hamono Museum

      Seki swords were a favorite of warlords during the Warring States period. The museum offers visitors a chance to learn about the history of swords, as well as a demonstration of Iai Kiri, the art of drawing and cutting bamboo with a sword in a single cut.

    • Mino Washi

      Mino Washi is one of the most famous varieties of Japanese paper. From interior design to crafts, you are sure to find a piece to your liking!

Day 2

  • Drive about 60 minutes from Gifu City to Gujo City
  • Gujo (Gifu)

    • Gujo Hachiman

      Gujo Hachiman is known as the castle town of famous water springs. Wander down beautiful streets along the Nagara River.

    • Gujo Castle

      Gujo Castle overlooks the town of Gujo from its lofty location. It is recommended to take a hike while enjoying the beautiful seasonal scenery.
  • Drive about 60 minutes from Gujo City to Gero City
  • Gero (Gifu)

    • Gero

      Soothe your travel fatigue in the famous hot spring known as Bijin-no-yu (Beauty water). And spend the day strolling the streets of the hot spring resort.

Day 3

  • Drive about 120 minutes from Gero City to Toyota City
  • Toyota

    • Asuke

      The town of Asuke retains the atmosphere of an old inn town. Experience the quaintness of Japan in the Edo period.

    • Korankei Gorge

      One of Japan's most popular autumn foliage viewing spots.The autumn foliage of more than 4,000 trees is breathtaking!
  • Drive about 90 minutes from Toyota City to Sekigahara City
  • Sekigahara

    • Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum

      The memorial hall is right on the site of the Battle of Sekigahara, the largest battle of the Warring States Period. Visitors have a chance to learn about history while having fun with exciting visuals on a giant screen and picture spots where visitors can become warlords themselves.
  • Drive about 30 minutes from Sekigahara to Hikone City in Shiga
  • Shiga

    • Hikone Castle

      Come and see Hikone Castle's popular mascot Hikonyan. Then take a cruise on a sightseeing boat around the moat of the castle.

    • Omihachiman

      Walk through elegant streets that are used frequently for filming historical dramas. When you tire of walking, recharge with Omi beef, a brand that ranks up there with Kobe beef and Matsuzaka beef!

Day 4

  • Drive about 120 minutes from Omihachiman City in Shiga to Nagoya
  • 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 Chubu Centrair International Airport, where you can taste the local specialties of the Central Japan Region.