Chubu winter itinerary

Hello everyone,

We're living in Osaka and are currently planning a longer trip to the Chubu area in early January.

Our itinerary: Osaka - Matsumoto - Nagano - Kusatsu - Shirahone - Takayama - Shirakawago - Fukui - Osaka

Did the math, and going by car would be a lot cheaper and more convenient. I am however concerned about the road conditions. I do have quite a bit of winter driving experience from my home country, but none in Japan.

Would I be struggling with a 2WD with snow tires, or should it be alright?

Snow in Japan could be characterized by its high volume and wetness in the southern area. Your route is touching such an area. At least Shiga-Kusatsu route will be closed from 15 Nov to 20 Apr. I would go with a 4WD in the mountainous area in winter.
http://www.pref.gunma.jp/07/m04310042.html
http://www.nagano-tabi.net/modules/node/content0002.html

If you could share the winter driving techniques described here, you may be OK. Otherwise, snow in Japan would be different from that in your country.
http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/fuyumichi/drive.html

Both road and snow conditions are a function of time. There are some useful resources on the net. Shogatsu in early January is a busy period.
http://www.jartic.or.jp/
http://www.hrr.mlit.go.jp/hokugi/yukinavi/michi.html
https://weathernews.jp/s/topics/map/sekisetsuanl.html