Japan Alps in 4 Days: Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Takayama

The Japan Alps route links four of the country's most rewarding towns in four days: Kanazawa for its garden and old districts, the thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, the merchant streets of Takayama, and Matsumoto with its original black castle. Highway buses connect them in a line, so the route fits neatly between Tokyo and Kyoto on a longer trip.

Day 1: Kanazawa

Spend the day at Kenroku-en, one of Japan's most celebrated gardens, and the castle park beside it. In the afternoon, walk the Higashi Chaya district, with its wooden teahouses, and the old samurai streets of Nagamachi. The Omicho Market is the place for seafood. Kanazawa is a little under three hours from Tokyo by the Hokuriku shinkansen.

Day 2: Shirakawa-go and on to Takayama

Take the highway bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go, around 75 minutes. The village's steep-roofed gassho-zukuri farmhouses are a UNESCO World Heritage Site; climb to the viewpoint above the village and visit one of the houses open to the public. Continue by bus to Takayama, under an hour away, for the night. Book bus seats ahead in busy seasons.

Day 3: Takayama

Start at the riverside morning market, then walk the preserved merchant streets of the Sanmachi district, with their sake breweries and wooden shopfronts. Visit Takayama Jinya, the old government house, and try Hida beef. Takayama is a good place for a ryokan night.

Day 4: To Matsumoto

Travel by bus to Matsumoto, around two and a half hours, or detour through the mountains via Shin-Hotaka, where a ropeway climbs into the Northern Alps. In Matsumoto, visit the castle, one of Japan's original keeps, and the old Nawate and Nakamachi streets. From Matsumoto, express trains return to Tokyo or continue towards Nagano.

When to go

Each season changes the route. Winter brings snow to Shirakawa-go, with occasional evening illuminations; spring and autumn are mild and colourful; summer is green and good for hiking, including Kamikochi, which is open from spring to autumn. Our guides to Shirakawa-go and the Japan Alps, Kanazawa and Takayama go into more detail.