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The Japan Alps: Matsumoto to Kanazawa: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
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The 6-day version for October: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go.
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💡 Good to know for this plan
- Kamikōchi's valley is open (closed by snow mid-Nov–mid-April); October sets the larches on fire.
Day 1 Matsumoto
- Transit
- 1h15
- Finish
- ~15:35
- Temperature
- 5.7°C–15.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 11.1h
Day 2 Kamikōchi
- Transit
- 3h00
- Finish
- ~14:30
- Temperature
- 6.1°C–14.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 11.1h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 09:00–09:10TransferMatsumoto → Matsumoto Bus TerminalWalk from the central Matsumoto route anchor to the bus terminal and be ready for the reserved direct bus.Check source
- 09:10–11:50Public transportMatsumoto Bus Terminal → KamikōchiAlpico National Park Liner — advance reservation required; verify the selected departureCheck source
Day 3 Takayama
- Transit
- 2h35
- Finish
- ~17:00
- Temperature
- 6.1°C–15.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 11.1h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 09:00–09:55Public transportKamikōchi → Hirayu OnsenNohi Bus Kamikōchi shuttle — verify the current operating statusCheck source
- 09:55–11:01Public transportHirayu Onsen → TakayamaNohi Bus Hirayu Onsen–Takayama — verify the current departureCheck source
Day 4 Shirakawa-go
- Transit
- 1h54
- Finish
- ~16:20
- Temperature
- 10.4°C–18.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 11.1h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 09:00–09:10TransferTakayama → Takayama Bus TerminalReach Takayama Bus Terminal from the central route anchor with luggage and be ready for the selected Shirakawago bus.Check source
- 09:10–10:25Public transportTakayama Bus Terminal → Shirakawago (Ogimachi)Nohi Bus Takayama–Shirakawago — some departures require advance reservation; verify and book the selected serviceCheck source
- 10:25–10:30TransferShirakawago (Ogimachi) → Shirakawa-goWalk from Shirakawago Bus Terminal into the Ogimachi route anchor.Check source
Day 5 Kanazawa
- Transit
- 3h34
- Finish
- ~18:00
- Temperature
- 10.4°C–18.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 11.0h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 09:00–09:05TransferShirakawa-go → Shirakawago (Ogimachi)Walk from the central Ogimachi route anchor to Shirakawago Bus Terminal and be ready for the selected Kanazawa service.Check source
- 09:05–11:50Public transportShirakawago (Ogimachi) → Kanazawa StationNohi/Hokutetsu Shirakawago–Kanazawa bus — most useful departures require advance reservation; verify and book the selected serviceCheck source
- 11:50–12:10TransferKanazawa Station → KanazawaContinue from Kanazawa Station to the central sightseeing route anchor.Check source
Day 6 Around Kanazawa
- Transit
- 0h24
- Finish
- ~14:50
- Temperature
- 10.4°C–18.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~23
- Daylight
- 11.0h
Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)
Telephone ahead for a guided tour, confirm the assigned time and current closing days, and allow about 40 minutes. Preschool-age children cannot enter. This visit is not inserted into the timed itinerary, and selecting it does not make a reservation.
details🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.