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Itinerary
Colors of Central Japan: An Autumn Journey
14 days · 26 stops · ¥180,000–¥240,000 · 8 views
Explore the heart of Japan through its enchanting autumn landscapes, hidden villages, and cultural heritage.
Days
Soramimi / CC BY-SA 4.0
Kenroku-en Garden
Ishikawa
Schedule
Day 01 of 14🛬
Arrive 10:00 · first activity from 12:30
2.5h customs + airport transit buffer
Land at KMQ · from JFK · 1 traveler
Renting a car? Check the license rules
Some licenses (FR/DE/CH/BE/TW) need a JAF translation, not an IDP — 5-min guide.
Stay
Kanazawa · 1 night
Dates flexible · 1 guest
12:30
EXPLORE
兼六園
Stay ~1h 30m
Stroll through one of Japan's most beautiful gardens, a serene start to your journey. Arrive early for a peaceful experience before the crowds.
~7 min on foot
14:07
EXPLORE
長町武家屋敷跡
Stay ~1h
Nomachi Station
Explore the historic samurai residences that whisper tales of the past. Enjoy the quiet lanes in the soft afternoon light.
Getting around, region by region
Your route mixes city and countryside — here's the best mode for each leg.
Kanazawa & Noto → Tokyo · Days 1–2
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Takayama & Shirakawa-go · Days 3–4
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Nagano & Matsumoto → Yamanashi · Days 5–14
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Rental car: pick up in Takayama & Shirakawa-go (Day 3), drop off at the end of Day 4. Skip it for the city legs.
Browse rental cars on Klook →Getting around
🚄
JR Pass
Your route spans 7 prefectures — a 7-day JR Pass (from ¥50,000) covers shinkansen and most express trains between these stops, paying for itself with 2–3 long-distance journeys.
Compare JR Pass options →🚗
Rental car recommended
Several stops on this route are in rural areas with limited rail access. A rental car from the nearest city hub gives you the freedom to reach places no bus serves.
Browse rental cars on Klook →01 / 14
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥23,000–¥37,500 / person / day
¥320,000–¥525,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥5,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 25 travel legs and 13 hotel nights. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Everything you need, sorted.
Passes worth buying for this route
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Get Around
✓ Matched to your route
JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass
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Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
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Travel Light
Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
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Travel Safe
Insurance that actually covers adventurous travel — hiking, onsen, ski slopes.
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