Route Options
This journey offers 2 route alternatives:
Fujikawaguchiko to Takayama - Main Expressway Route
Distance: ~150-180 km | Drive Time: 3-3.5 hours
Type: Main expressway route (fastest)
Primary Route: Chuo Expressway (E20) → Route 158 via Matsumoto Estimated Drive Time: 3-3.5 hours without stops (4.5-6 hours with recommended stops)
On-Route Stops (Stops directly on the route with no detour)
- Enakyo SA (Ena Gorge Service Area)
- Matsumoto Castle
- Matsumoto City Center
- Nawate Street
- Service Areas Along Route 158
- Suwako SA (Lake Suwa Service Area)
- Michi-no-Eki Roadside Stations
Short Detour Stops (15-30 minutes off the main route)
Major Detour Stops (30+ minutes detour, significant attractions)
- Tateishi Park
- Shin-Hotaka Ropeway
- Shosenkyo Gorge (Mitake Shosenkyo)
- Norikura Skyline
- Lake Suwa Rest Stop (Suwako Service Area)
- Venus Line (ビーナスライン)
- Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)
- Ena Gorge Overlooks
- Kamikochi Alpine Valley
- Suwa Taisha Shrines
Fujikawaguchiko to Takayama - Nakasendo-Alps Scenic Route
Distance: ~180-200 km | Drive Time: 4-5 hours (no stops), 6-8 hours with cultural stops
Type: Scenic cultural route via Kiso Valley (Nakasendo) or Alpine route
Primary Route: Route 19 through Kiso Valley (Nakasendo corridor) with optional Route 158 alpine extension Alternative Scenic Routes: Alpine corridor via Route 158 through Kamikochi region Estimated Drive Time: 4-8 hours depending on stops and route choices
On-Route Stops (Stops directly on the route with no detour)
- Michi-no-Eki Fuketsu no Sato (Road Station Wind Cave Village)
- Route 19 Service Areas & Rest Stops
- Kiso Valley Scenic Corridor (Route 19)
- Magome-juku
- Hirayu Onsen Village
- Alps Kaido Hirayu
- Kiso Fukushima
- Narai-juku
- Tsumago-juku
Short Detour Stops (15-30 minutes off the main route)
Major Detour Stops (30+ minutes detour, significant attractions)
- Kaida Kogen Highland
- Post Town Dining Experiences - Kiso Valley Traditional Traveler Cuisine
- Northern Alps Bridge (Kita-Alps Ohashi)
- Fukuji Onsen
- Korobokkuru Hutte (Mountain Lodge Café)
- Hirayu Pass
- Hirayu Folk Museum
- Shinhotaka Ropeway
- Lake Shirakaba (白樺湖, Shirakabako)
- Narai-juku Detailed Exploration
- Craft Experience Centers (Sarubobo & Ichii Ittou)
- Shosenkyo Gorge (Mitake Shosenkyo)
- Azusa River Valley (Kamikochi)
- Hida Folk Craft Experiences
- Magome-Tsumago Walking Trail
- Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)
- Anbo Pass (安房峠 Abo-toge)
- Kamikochi Alpine Valley
Generated from research: routes/fujikawaguchiko-to-takayama-main-route/fujikawaguchiko-to-takayama-main-route.md, routes/fujikawaguchiko-to-takayama-scenic-route/fujikawaguchiko-to-takayama-nakasendo-alps-scenic.md