Self-drive road trip · Japan
An 8-night self-drive journey from Nagoya through Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Lake Biwa and Kyoto
Per person, estimatedUS$439
Discover Japan beyond the bullet train on a carefully paced self-drive through the cultural heart of central Honshu. Begin in Nagoya before following mountain roads to historic Takayama, the thatched-roof village of Shirakawa-go and elegant Kanazawa. Continue along Lake Biwa to Kyoto, where temples, gardens and traditional neighbourhoods provide an unforgettable finale, before returning to Nagoya. The suggested routing combines comfortable daily drives with enough time to explore, and every overnight stay can be adjusted to suit your preferred pace.
Every stop has a hotel already chosen for you. Open a stop to swap the hotel, add activities or stay longer. The price updates as you go.
Want more time somewhere? Open any stop and tap Add a night. Every day after it moves back, and your dates and price update automatically.
Stay longer or shorter in Nagoya
Your stay in NagoyaDays 1–2
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Pick up your car at TOKONAME SHI (NGO), from 10:00. It's yours for all 9 days.
Day 1: Arrive at Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport, collect your rental car and drive into Nagoya. Settle into your hotel and discover the city’s highlights, such as Nagoya Castle, the Osu shopping district or the excellent Toyota Commemorative Museum. Overnight in Nagoya.
Overnight: the b nagoya
“Ideally located within walking distance of Sakae subway station and nearby shopping areas, Hotel #308743 offers convenient access to Nagoya's attractions. Guests praised the helpful and friendly staff, all-day complimentary coffee, and excellent value for money, with many appreciating the proximity to the metro and local conveniences.”
Included in your trip1 night, 4-15-23 Sakae, Naka-ku
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Nagoya surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Takayama and Shirakawa-go
Your stay in Takayama and Shirakawa-goDays 2–4
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Days 2–3: Leave Nagoya for the Japanese Alps and the beautifully preserved town of Takayama. Explore its wooden merchant houses, morning markets and sake breweries. On the following day, make an excursion to UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go, famous for its steep-roofed gassho-zukuri farmhouses, before returning to Takayama. Two nights in Takayama.
Overnight: Oyado Hachibei, night 1 of 2
Included in your trip2 Nights, Kamiokamotocyou 1 388, Takayama
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Takayama and Shirakawa-go surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Kanazawa
Your stay in KanazawaDays 4–6
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Days 4–5: Drive through mountain scenery to Kanazawa. Allow time for Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s celebrated landscape gardens, Kanazawa Castle, the Nagamachi samurai district and the traditional teahouses of Higashi Chaya. The second day is free for museums, markets or a coastal excursion. Two nights in Kanazawa.
Overnight: Kanazawa New Grand Hotel Premier, night 1 of 2
“Experience comfortable, spacious rooms and warm hospitality at this charming hotel in an excellent walkable location near shopping, restaurants, and Kanazawa's top sights. Guests rave about the friendly staff, quality breakfast, peaceful atmosphere, and great value for money.”
Included in your trip2 Nights, Minami-cho, No. 4, No. 1
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Kanazawa surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Hikone and Lake Biwa
Your stay in Hikone and Lake BiwaDays 6–7
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Day 6: Continue south toward Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. Visit Hikone Castle, one of the country’s few surviving original feudal castles, and enjoy the quieter lakeside landscapes and historic streets. Overnight in Hikone or another convenient Lake Biwa location.
Overnight: Hotel Route Inn Hikone
“Experience exceptional value at this welcoming Route Inn hotel, where guests consistently praise the spacious, immaculate rooms, delicious included breakfast, and genuinely hospitable staff. The on-site onsen, convenient parking, and budget-friendly rates make it an ideal choice for both business travelers and tourists exploring Japan.”
Included in your trip1 night, 111-3 Higashinonami-cho
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Hikone and Lake Biwa surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Kyoto
Your stay in KyotoDays 7–9
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Days 7–8: Follow the lake toward Kyoto and spend two nights discovering Japan’s former imperial capital. Choose among Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, Kiyomizu-dera, the Philosopher’s Path, Arashiyama and the atmospheric lanes of Gion. Leave the car parked whenever practical and explore central Kyoto by public transport.
Overnight: Vessel Hotel Campana Kyoto Gojo, night 1 of 2
“Discover the perfect Kyoto home base at Vessel Hotel Campana Kyoto Gojo, where guests consistently praise the excellent location steps from Gojo subway station, pristine spotless rooms with comfortable bedding, and exceptional amenities including complimentary onsen access, daily housekeeping, free beverages throughout the day, and delicious breakfast—all delivered with warm, attentive service from a genuinely caring staff.”
Included in your trip2 Nights, 498 Shimomanjuji Cho Gojo Sagaru Higashinotoin Dori Shimogyo Ku, Kyoto
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Kyoto surprise you.
Return your car at TOKONAME SHI by 10:00, then check in for your flight home.
Day 9: Depart Kyoto after breakfast and drive approximately two hours to Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport. Allow additional time for traffic, refuelling and the rental-car return before your onward flight.
Departure day · No overnight stay
A rental car is included for all 9 days. Want more room or comfort? Upgrade below.
Pick up, day 1TOKONAME SHI (NGO), from 10:00
Return, day 8TOKONAME SHI, by 10:00
Good to knowRates assume a driver aged 30 or over.
Operated by Avia Travel & Tours.
Download this tour's PDF brochure and plan offline: every day, your hotels, the car and our phone numbers.
Our travel experts know these roads. Call and we'll tailor the trip with you.
Estimated total, 2 travelersUS$878
How this road trip stacks up against similar self-drive tours, side by side.
| Tour | |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price, per person | ||||
| From | US$439 | US$307 | US$573 | US$423 |
| Per night | US$55 / night | US$38 / nightBest | US$82 / night | US$53 / night |
| The trip | ||||
| Duration | 9 days, 8 nights | 9 days, 8 nights | 8 days, 7 nights | 9 days, 8 nights |
| Stops | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Places | Nagoya, Takayama, Kanazawa, Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel, Kyoto | Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Saen, Phayao Gateway Hotel, The Space Lampang Hotel | Singapore, Melaka, Cameron Highlands, George Town | Tirana, Gjirokaster, Himarë, Berat |
| Start and finish | Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport | Chiang Mai International Airport | Singapore (Changi Airport) | Tirana |
| On the road | ||||
| Total driving | About 470 km | About 570 km | About 785 km | About 300 km |
| Longest drive day | About 215 km | About 205 km | About 340 km | About 175 kmBest |
| Car included | Mini | Compact | Compact | Compact |
| Stays and extras | ||||
| Hotels included | 3 to 4-star hotels | 3 to 4-star hotels | 3 to 5-star hotels | 2 to 3-star hotels |
| Hotel choice | About 9 hotels per stop | About 9 hotels per stop | About 10 hotels per stopBest | About 10 hotels per stop |
| Airport transfer | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| You're viewing this tour | View tour | View tour | View tour |
"From" prices are per person for 2 travelers sharing, at the cheapest hotels. Driving is estimated from the stop locations.
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