6 day trip plan fr 5/12 to 11/12/08

I plan to go Nagoya, Matsumoto,Kamikochi, Takayama, shirakawago and Kanazawa with my wife.First 2 days we will travel Nagoya and put up in a budjet hostel in Nagoya. After this how to move without missing the beautiful scenery and interesting culture? My flight departure is morning 11/12. Can somebody just share. Thanks.

Kamikochi is closed in December. And four days is not enough to see Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Takayama and Matsumoto. Seeing even only three of the above four places will result in a packed itinerary.

Here is a suggested itinerary, dropping Matsumoto:

05/12: Nagoya
06/12: Nagoya
07/12: Nagoya to Kanazawa by train (2.5 hours)
08/12: Kanazawa to Shirakawago by bus (1 hour)
09/12: Shirakawago to Takayama by bus (1 hour)
10/12: Takayama to Nagoya (2.5 hours)
11/12: leave Japan

Hi Uji,thank you vy much.I depart Osaka airport on 11/12.Uji pls suggest alternatives so that I don hv to go back Nagaya. Also, pls suggest budget hostels in Kanazawa, Shirakawago & Takayama & the bus company so that I can do earlier booking. Uji pls tell us all the must go places,must try food or anything interesting, I really appreciated all yr info. Thanks again.

05/12: Nagoya
06/12: Nagoya
07/12: Nagoya to Takayama
08/12: Takayama to Shirakawago
09/12: Shirakawago to Kanazawa
10/12: Kanazawa to Osaka
11/12: leave Japan

Also, pls suggest budget hostels in Kanazawa, Shirakawago & Takayama

See here:
http://www.hostelworld.com/index.php?affiliate=japan-guide.c...

the bus company so that I can do earlier booking.

The bus company is Nohi Bus:
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/

Uji pls tell us all the must go places

Nagoya:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2155.html

Takayama:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5900.html

Shirakawago:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5950.html

Kanazawa:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2167.html

But remember that with the above packed schedule you will only be able to see a small number of attractions.

Dear Uji,

I need help from you as I'll be in Tokyo in 2 days but don't know where to see red maple leaves. I got wrong hints from travel agents that Kyoto will have no more red leaves when I get there so I changed my destination to Tokyo. I read your advice to Yeoh. Please also advice me what must I see and do in Tokyo for 3 days (top priority to red leaves!). Please help! Thanks a lot.

Kyoto is still in autumn colors right now! Tokyo too is now good for autumn colors. In about 24 hours, an illustrated Tokyo autumn color report will be available on this website.