8 Days | Central Highlands Journey｜Tokyo → Mt. Fuji & Hakone → Nagoya → Osaka → Nagano Highlands → Kawagoe | MJR-8
Overview
8 Days 7 Nights ｜Central Highlands Journey
Tokyo → Mt. Fuji → Osaka → Nagano Highlands → Kawagoe
This journey combines Japan’s classic Golden Route with the quieter and more scenic side of central Japan, creating a travel experience that feels slower, more flexible, and more immersive than traditional tours.
Instead of constantly rushing between crowded sightseeing spots, the route gradually moves from major cities into mountain landscapes, forests, historic post towns, and regional highland scenery. The changing atmosphere between each region becomes part of the experience itself.
One of the key highlights of this journey is the balance between structured travel and personal freedom. Guests can enjoy MOVE JAPAN’s connected route system while still having time to freely explore places like Osaka, Kyoto, or local countryside areas at their own pace.
The route is also designed around scenic movement rather than simply transportation. Mountain roads, lakeside highways, forests, and countryside landscapes are intentionally included as part of the journey, allowing travelers to experience the rhythm of regional Japan beyond typical tourist routes.
Compared with traditional large group tours, MOVE JAPAN focuses on smaller group travel, flexible route connections, comfortable transportation, and a slower travel rhythm. The experience feels closer to a cinematic road journey across Japan rather than a fixed sightseeing schedule.
From Mt. Fuji and Kyoto to the forests of Togakushi and the preserved streets of Narai-juku, this route offers travelers the opportunity to experience both iconic Japan and Hidden Japan within one connected journey.
MOVE JAPAN
Explore Freely｜Move Comfortably
A different way to travel across Japan.
Inclusion & Exclusion
- Hotel accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- 6 daily breakfasts
- Transportation during the tour
- Tour coordination support services
- Sightseeing stops as listed in the itinerary
- Applicable Japanese consumption taxes and related taxes included
- Round-trip airfare
- Meals & personal expenses
- Admission tickets & optional activities
- Personal travel insurance
- Driver & tour assistance gratuity; USD15 per person per day
Meeting And Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point.
What To Expect
- Day 1Tokyo → Yokohama → Hakone
08:00｜Meet in Tokyo and depart
09:00 – 11:30｜Odaiba / Tokyo Bay Area
Free exploration around Tokyo Bay and waterfront areas.
12:30 – 15:00｜YokohamaEnjoy Minato Mirai area, cafes, and seaside atmosphere.
16:30 – 18:00｜Hakone Area
Scenic mountain roads and volcanic valley landscapes.
Estimated Driving Time Total: Approx. 4–5 Hours
OvernightToyoko Inn or similar hotel accommodation
Hakone / Kanagawa Area - Day 2Mt. Fuji → Nagoya
08:30｜Departure after breakfast
10:00 – 13:00｜Lake Kawaguchi / Oishi Park
Mt. Fuji slowly appears across the lake while the surrounding scenery changes with the seasons. Depending on the time of year, guests may encounter cherry blossoms, lavender fields, autumn leaves, or snow-covered landscapes. Rather than rushing through attractions, the focus is simply enjoying the atmosphere around Japan’s most iconic mountain.14:00 – 18:30｜Fuji Scenic Highway Journey toward Nagoya
The journey continues through central Japan’s highways and mountain routes. Outside the window, the scenery slowly changes from mountain landscapes into quieter regional cities.19:00｜Nagoya Arrival
Compared with Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya feels calmer and more local. Guests are free to explore the city in the evening at their own pace.Estimated Driving Time
Approx. 5–6 Hours
Overnight
Toyoko Inn or similar hotel accommodation
Nagoya - Day 3Nagoya → Osaka
09:00 – 14:00｜Nagoya Free Exploration
Guests may freely explore:
- Osu Shopping Street
- Sakae District
- Oasis 21
- Nagoya TV Tower
- Cafes
- Local Nagoya cuisine
Everyday local city atmosphere
Compared with Tokyo and Osaka, Nagoya offers a slower and more local side of Japan, allowing travelers to experience the rhythm of an ordinary Japanese city.
14:00｜Departure from Nagoya
The journey slowly continues toward the Kansai region.
17:00 – 18:00｜Arrival in Osaka
In the evening, guests may freely explore:
- Dotonbori
- Shinsaibashi
- Umeda
- Cafes
- Izakayas
Enjoy Osaka’s energetic nightlife atmosphere at your own pace.
Estimated Driving Time
Approx. 3 Hours
Overnight
Osaka Tokyu Rei Hotel or similar hotel accommodation
Osaka - Day 4Leisure Day
Osaka Free Exploration
Osaka offers a completely different atmosphere from Tokyo and central Japan. Guests may freely explore Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Umeda, local cafes, izakayas, shopping streets, or simply enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife and food culture at their own pace.
Overnight
Osaka Tokyu Rei Hotel or similar hotel accommodation
Osaka - Day 5Osaka → Matsumoto → Nagano Highlands
08:00｜Departure from Osaka
12:30 – 14:00｜Scenic Rest Stops
As the route leaves Kansai behind, the scenery slowly changes into mountain roads and Japanese highland landscapes.
15:30 – 17:30｜Matsumoto Area
Matsumoto introduces a quieter and more spacious side of Japan. Surrounded by mountains and fresh air, the atmosphere begins slowing down significantly compared with the earlier city routes.
18:30｜Nagano Highlands Arrival
Estimated Driving Time
Approx. 7–8 Hours
OvernightToyoko Inn or similar hotel accommodation
Nagano Highlands
- Day 6Nagano → Togakushi → Narai-juku
09:00｜Departure after breakfast
10:00 – 13:00｜Togakushi Forest Area
Towering cedar trees, shrines hidden within the forest, and quiet mountain roads create one of the most immersive Hidden Japan experiences in MOVE JAPAN. This part of the journey feels completely disconnected from the busy tourist cities.
15:00 – 17:30｜Narai-juku Historic Post Town
Narai-juku preserves the atmosphere of old Japan. Wooden buildings, narrow streets, and mountain surroundings create the feeling of traveling through another era.
Estimated Driving TimeApprox. 4–5 Hours
Overnight
Toyoko Inn or similar hotel accommodation
Post Town / Highland Area
- Day 7Narai-juku → Kawagoe
09:00｜Departure
12:00 – 14:00｜Scenic Countryside DriveThe final section of the route slowly transitions back toward the Tokyo region. Although the roads become flatter, the relaxed rhythm of the journey remains.
16:00 – 18:30｜Kawagoe
Instead of ending directly in central Tokyo, the journey finishes in Kawagoe — known as “Little Edo.” Traditional merchant houses, quiet cafes, and preserved old streets create a softer and slower ending to the route.
Evening｜Tour Ends
Guests may:
- Return to Tokyo
- Continue Tokyo free travel
- Connect with other MOVE JAPAN routes
Overnight
Kawagoe Tobu Hotel or similar hotel accommodation
Kawagoe
The hotel area also provides convenient access to central Tokyo via JR lines.
Guests may easily travel to:
- Shinjuku
- Ikebukuro
- Shibuya
within approximately 30–40 minutes, allowing flexible free time for shopping, dining, and city exploration in Tokyo.
- Day 8Flexible Departure Day
Guests may freely arrange:
- Airport transfer
- JR / Shinkansen travel
- Tokyo free exploration
- Route extension
- Additional MOVE JAPAN route connections
Cancellation policy
- Free cancellation up to 8 days before departure
- 25% cancellation charge within 7 days before departure
- 50% cancellation charge within 3 days before departure
- No refund for cancellations within 3 days before departure, after tour commencement, no-show cases, or voluntary withdrawal during the journey
- Bank charges, payment gateway fees, and currency exchange differences may be deducted from refundable amounts if applicable