12 Days Nagoya Campertrip

12 Days. 1 Van. A Million Stars – Rolling Through Central Japan’s Hidden Magic

Nagoya (Aqua Rental Car)– Magome – Gero – Shirakawago – Takayama – Kamikochi – Matsumoto – Hakuba – Hisui Terrace – Toyama – Noto Peninsula – Kanazawa Kenrokuen – Tojinbo – Echizen Beach – Takashima City – Nagoya (Aqua Rental Car)

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Day 1: Nagoya (Aqua Rental Car) → Magome → Gero Onsen

A day of old-world charm, stargazing, and hot spring bliss.

Magome Highlights

Three people walking down a stone-paved street lined with traditional wooden buildings and a water wheel in a historic Japanese town.

Campground

Traditional black and white lodge-style building surrounded by tall pine trees on a sunny day at a forest campsite.

Hirugano Kogen Campsite ↗

Wooden building with a steep roof behind blooming pink cherry blossom trees and parked cars, set against a forested mountain background.

Michi-no-Eki Hida–Osaka Hanamomosen ↗

Outdoor walkway with a metal roof supported by pillars leading to a series of buildings under a clear blue sky.

Michi-no-Eki Kashimo ↗

Day 2: Gero → Shirakawago → Takayama

A day through traditional villages & charming old towns.

Shirakawago Highlights

Traditional thatched Japanese houses behind a field with scarecrows and a clear blue sky.

Wada, Kanda, & Nagase Houses

preserved gassho-style homes

Traditional Japanese wooden temple gate with a thatched roof surrounded by green trees and pink flowers in a sunny garden.

Myozenji Museum & Temple

Wooden Walkway

Views across rice fields

Cityscape with buildings in front of a blue bay and a large volcanic mountain under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, framed by tree branches.

Shiroyama Observatory

Panoramic views

A coin-operated binocular viewer on a wooden railing overlooking green forested mountains with snowy peaks under a clear blue sky.

White Road Observator

Alpine photo spot

Takayama Highlights

Peaceful narrow street lined with traditional wooden buildings and warm lights at dusk, with forested hills in the background.

Sanmachi Old Town

preserved Edo buildings

Traditional Japanese wooden building with a curved roof, purple hanging banners, and a large manicured pine tree under a cloudy sky.

Takayama Jinya

samurai-era government house

Traditional Japanese building storefront with wooden lattice windows, sake bottles display, and a large round sugidama hanging above the entrance.

Funasaka Sake Brewery

local sake tasting

Traditional Japanese storefront with wooden signs and various goods displayed outside on barrels and tables.

Miyagawa Morning Market

Traditional thatched-roof houses surrounded by lush greenery beside a calm lake with forested hills in the background.

Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)

outdoor museum

Front view of a traditional Japanese wooden shrine with a rope and paper decorations hanging under the roof peak.

Hidasoja Shrine

peaceful nature shrine

Campsites/Onsen/Michi-No-Eki

Campsite with multiple tents and parked vehicles on green grass surrounded by forested hills under clear blue sky.

Hida Takayama Campsite ↗

Empty paved parking area bordered by green trees and shrubs on a sunny day next to a white building with a pitched roof.

RV Park Oyaduraku ↗

Building with traditional thatched roof and wide entrance in a mountainous area under an overcast sky.

Michi-no-Eki Shirakawago ↗

Local eats & souvenirs

Traditional Japanese dining area with low wooden tables, floor cushions, hanging paper lanterns, and acrylic dividers.

Michi-no-Eki Hida Asahimura ↗

Chill rest area with footbath

Day 3: Takayama → Kamikochi (via Sawando Bus Terminal)

A car-free paradise of pristine rivers, mountain bridges, and spiritual stillness.

Note that there is no exact address for Kamikochi so you must take the bus. The travel time is around 30mins. Kamikochi is open from Mid-April – Mid November.

Kamikochi Highlights

Wooden suspension bridge with people crossing over a clear river, set against green forested mountains under a blue sky with white clouds.

Kappa-bashi Bridge

iconic wooden bridge & photo spot

Wooden pedestrian bridge over clear water surrounded by dense green forest with several people walking and taking photos.

Tashiro-bashi

peaceful riverside walk

Access Notes

Park at Sawando Parking Area, take the shuttle bus into Kamikochi (private cars not allowed)

Campground/Onsen/Michi-No-Eki

Campsite with tents under trees in front of a mountain range on a clear sunny day.

Konashidaira Campsite

Traditional Japanese roadside station building with a tiled roof, vending machines, and outdoor seating next to a paved road.

Michi-no-Eki Mimaki

Day 4: Kamikochi → Matsumoto → Hakuba

A day of castles, sake, gardens, and majestic mountains.

Matsumoto Highlights

Matsumoto Castle

black crow castle, National Treasure

Aerial view of traditional Japanese buildings surrounded by well-maintained gardens and pathways with a cityscape and mountains in the background.

Honmaru Garden

Traditional Japanese sake brewery building with tiled roof and white walls under clear sky.

Kametaya Sake Brewery

Two Japanese macaques in a rocky enclosure with water and leafless trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Alps Park

great views & chill picnic spot

Hakuba Highlights

Person taking a photo atop rocky terrain beside a calm pond with snow-capped mountains partially covered by clouds in the background.

Happo Pond

mirror lake reflecting mountain range

People enjoy a scenic sunset view atop a wooden observation deck overlooking a sea of clouds and distant mountains.

Sea of Clouds Observatory

Clear mountain lake reflecting green forested hills and rocky peaks under a blue sky with people walking along the shore.

Kamaike Marsh

serene wetland walk

Campground/Onsen/Michi-No-Eki

Snow-capped mountains and green hills reflected in flooded rice paddies with a small village in the background under a clear blue sky.

Hakuba Snow Peak ↗

Snow-covered landscape with leafless trees, houses, and distant mountains under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

RV Park Hakuba ↗

Snow-covered roadside station with wooden beams, stained glass windows, and a snowy mountain backdrop.

Michi-no-Eki Hakuba ↗

Day 5: Hakuba → Kurobe Gorge → Toyama Bay (Hisui Terrace)

Mountains to the sea – from gorges to fresh seafood.

Toyama Side Highlights

Red train crossing a red steel bridge over a river in a mountainous landscape with autumn foliage.

Kurobe Gorge Railway

scenic train through deep valley

Building with a large crab decoration and Japanese signage above the entrance, a red bus parked nearby under a partly cloudy sky.

Shinminato Kittokito Fish Market

fresh seafood heaven

Rows of large fresh fish arranged on a blue tarp at a busy indoor fish market with crates and people in the background.

Toyama Bay Fish Market

try sushi & white shrimp

Campground/Onsen/Michi-No-Eki

Brown camping tent set up on grassy area near a large bare tree with lake and mountains in the background.

Hisui Terrace Auto Campground ↗

Colorful tents set up on grassy campground at the base of lush green mountains under a clear blue sky.

Raichozawa Campsite ↗

Modern white two-story building with minimalist design, multiple windows, glass doors, and outdoor tables on a sunny day.

Hisui Terrace ↗

Outdoor visitor center with a colorful playground and snow-capped mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

Michi-no-Eki Koko Kurobe ↗

Day 6–7: Toyama → Noto Peninsula

Welcome to rugged coasts, hidden villages, and dramatic cliffs.

What is Noto Peninsula?

The Noto Peninsula juts into the Sea of Japan with dramatic coastlines, traditional fishing towns, salt farms, and wild nature. It’s full of hidden treasures and fewer tourists — perfect for campervan exploring.From sacred cliffs to playful dolphins – the raw spirit of Noto lives here.

Main Area: Noto Peninsula Quasi-National Park

A hidden wonderland with mystical rock formations, ancient culture, and sacred coastal landscapes untouched by mass tourism.

Highlights