itinerary help takayama Matsumoto

We want to visit Takayama, Kamikochi, Matsumoto, possibly Kanazawa. We know the options are to land in Nagoya or Tokyo. We can land in one city and depart from another. Can someone suggest a route for us? Scenic and low price is the priority. thanks

If I were you, I would fly into and out of Nagoya and make the following scenic round course:

Nagoya - Kanazawa - Takayama - Kamikochi - Matsumoto - Nagoya

You will be able to also see Shirakawago on your way from Kanazawa to Takayama and the Kiso Valley between Matsumoto and Nagoya.

Flying in and out of Nagoya would be most efficient, however, from Matsumoto you could also go to Tokyo and fly out of Narita Airport (it's only a little bit more distant than Nagoya). Alternatively, Osaka's Kansai Airport is only slight more distant from Kanazawa than Nagoya's airport. If you skip Kanazawa, however, Nagoya should be your choice of arrival since it is clearly is closest airport to Takayama.

The places are well connected by public transportation, but a rental car could also be an interesting option:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2024.html

Arigato Uji for your quick and helpful response.

Can you provide me with specific trains/buses to take? If we chose to use a rental car is it difficult to find the correct roads? How can I find detailed driving information for the route?

Thank you very much!

Nagoya - Kanazawa

By direct limited express train (2.5 hours, 8000 Yen)
Or by direct highway bus (4 hours, 4000 Yen):
http://www.hokutetsu.co.jp/unko/highway/k_nagoya14420.htm

Kanazawa - Takayama

By Nohi bus via Shirakawago:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5908.html?aFROM=2167_5900

Takayama - Kamikochi

By direct bus (75 minutes, 2000 Yen, operating from mid April through October):
http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/kamikochi_takayama/index_e.html

Kamikochi - Matsumoto

By bus and train (2 hours, 4400 Yen):
http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/route_k/honsen/index_e.html

Matsumoto - Nagoya

By direct limited express train (2 hours, 8000 Yen)
or by local trains (3.5 hours, 3300 Yen, transfer at Nakatsugawa)
or by direct highway bus (3 hours, 3460 Yen)

You should drive. The hire car will have a navi programable in English if you request. Then you just type in the where you want to go and follow the directions. Otherwise navigating in Japan is not that difficult. Rural Japan - the places you describe - is best seen by car.

Also like to doubly recommend shirakawa-go (the best place in Japan IMHO). And if you drive the Kiso Valley as susggested visit the old post towns of Narai-Juku and Tsumango for beautiful old architecture and the atmosphere of the Edo period. (http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/kisoji.htm)

Hi Kieran,

What do you think the costs of renting a car would run per day, including fuel costs, etc.?

Thanks for your suggestions, I welcome the advice.

Tocoo Travel has the best rates:
http://www.japan-guide.com/ad/coocom2.html

I would not expect that English language car navigation systems are available.

I am planning to take JR from Shinagawa tokyo to Kofu, rent car, drive to Matsumoto for overnight stay.
Next morning to drive thru 138 to reach Takayama.
Will snow tires be enough for this trip? I do not like snow chains.
How many hours will it take in Dec winter?
For ToCOO car rental, if I rent from Kofu, return at Fuji area, is it classified as same prefecture?

Will snow tires be enough for this trip?

Yes, it should be enough. I believe that the road is usually kept free of snow.

How many hours will it take in Dec winter?

About 2.5 hours from Matsumoto to Takayama.

For ToCOO car rental, if I rent from Kofu, return at Fuji area, is it classified as same prefecture?

Kofu and the Fuji Five Lake area are both located in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Looking for help
I would like to go to Kanazawa and Kamakochi in just one day by JR from Kyoto
This wil happen next year in May.
Can anybody pls tell me if this is possible and how to get there and back to Kyoto. Or should I rent a car and is driving faster?

Kanazawa alone can be done in a one day trip from Kyoto. Kamikochi needs at least two days from Kyoto.