1.5 hours from Shizuoka Station to Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture! Recommended rental car route for 1 night and 2 days to Matsumoto City! ✦

Did you know that the opening of the expressway has made Shizuoka Station much closer to Hokuto City?

Many people still don't know about this route. This time, we'll be introducing recommended spots to enjoy the whole route from Shizuoka Station to Hokuto City to Matsumoto City! Rent a car and spend two days and one night. Make the most of it.

Day 1 Shizuoka Prefecture ⭢ Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture

• Table of Contents
• Day1 10:00 Toyota Rental Lease Shizuoka Shinkansenguchi Branch
• Day1 11:30 Nanbu Roadside Station
• Day1 12:00 Yorokobi Chaya (Nanbu Roadside Station)
• Day1 13:30 Minobu-san Kuonji Temple
• Day1 15:30 Hotel check-in (Seisen Ryokan)
• Day2 9:00 Higashizawa Bridge
• Day2 10:00 Kiyosato Terrace
• Day2 11:30 Moegi Village (Rock)
• Day2 14:30 Suwako SA (Service Area) (Downbound)
• Day2 15:30 Matsumoto Castle
• Day2 17:00 Toyota Rent a Car Matsumoto Station Branch

Day1 10:00 Toyota Rental Lease Shizuoka Shinkansenguchi Branch

First , rent a car!

After leaving Shizuoka Station and walking for a while, the rental car store came into view. We were greeted by very friendly staff.

To rent a car, you need a passport and an international driver's license.

This store had instructions in foreign languages.

Also available in English, Chinese, Korean and Thai!

This is a reassuring service for foreign tourists.

For detailed pricing, please see here: https://toyota-renta.co.jp/

Instagram @trl_shizuoka044

The staff guided us to the car and gave us a detailed explanation.

The interior of the car is spacious and clean! You can listen to music via Bluetooth, and it's very comfortable. ·.¸¸.¤ ♪ ♬ ♫ ♩

📍: Shizuoka Shinkansenguchi store

Opening hours : 8:00 - 20:00

Address : 11-6 Minamimachi, Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, 422-8067

3 minutes walk from the south exit of JR Shizuoka Station, 150m straight ahead on the right

From Shizuoka Prefecture, we head to Yamanashi Prefecture! ♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪

Day1 11:30 Nanbu Roadside Station

Take a break and have lunch at Nanbu Roadside Station.

📍: Nanbu Roadside Station

Business hours : 9:00 – 17:00

Address : 3034-1 Nakano, Minami-machi, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture, 409-2211

Instagram @michinoekinanbu

Website

Roadside station Nanbu is located right after getting off the highway. It opened in 2018. There are shops, restaurants, and places to buy local souvenirs. The specialty is Nanbu tea, which has a mellow taste and aroma. There are many different types of tea in Japan, and each region has its own unique tea. Be sure to try it.

We have a wide selection of products made with local specialties, including Nanbu tea, black tea, cookies, roll cakes, jams, puddings, and donuts.

I recommend Nanbu tea milk. I bought it before and it's my favorite. I bought it again! (＞_＜)･ﾟﾟ･｡

Day1 12:00 Yorokobi Chaya (Nanbu Roadside Station)

A restaurant attached to the roadside station.

From ramen and katsudon to sweets, there is a wide selection of items. And don't miss the Nanbu Cha Soba (700 yen)

Nanbu tea is a local specialty of this region. This is an original tea soba noodle dish that uses that Nanbu tea.

Looking around the restaurant, I saw that many customers were ordering this cha soba!

Nanbu green tea soba 700 yen

Dessert is Nanbu tea milk mix soft serve 400 yen

Smooth, soft and very refreshing soft serve ice cream. (◕‿◕✿)

I thoroughly enjoyed the Nanbu tea.

With our stomachs full, we headed to our next destination. ⌒♥ ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ☆ﾟ.

Day1 13:30 Minobu-san Kuonji Temple

Kuonji Temple on Mount Minobu is the head temple of the Nichiren sect. Its 750-year-old buildings and fantastical atmosphere nestled amidst nature are a sight to behold.

Once you pass through the Sanmon Gate, you will see the 287 stone steps known as the Bodhi Ladder.

The ladder, which represents one who reaches nirvana when he reaches the top, is divided into seven sections which represent the seven characters of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.

There are many amulets at the gift shop.

Why not choose the one that best suits your wishes? ٩(｡•́‿•̀｡)۶

📍:Minobu Kuonji Temple

Business hours : 5:30 – 17:00

Address : 3567 Minobu, Minobu-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture, 409-2593

Instagram @minobusankuonji

Facebook

Website

After experiencing Japanese history, we head to Hokuto City. ....φ(︶▽︶)φ...

Day1 15:30 Hotel check-in (Seisen Ryokan)

After driving along the highway for about an hour, we arrived at Seisen Ryokan in Kiyosato, Hokuto City.

Kiyosato is a highland town at an altitude of 1,400 meters. Seisen-ryo is a tourist spot with plenty to enjoy, including hotels, accommodations, restaurants, retail stores, museums and livestock farms.

I'm staying here tonight! (｡￫‿￩｡)

The guest rooms include Western-style rooms, Japanese-style rooms, maisonettes, cottages, and more.

For more details on the rooms, please see here: https://seisenryo.jp/stay_rooms1.html

Related articles

Seisenryo is famous for its soft serve ice cream. It is made with rich Jersey cow's milk and is definitely worth trying!

Seisenryo soft serve ice cream 450 yen

You may also want to read:

📍 : Seisen Ryo

Address : 3545 Kiyosato, Takane-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture, 407-0301

Website

Day 2 Hokuto City ⭢ Matsumoto City

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at Seisen Ryokan, we set off. ☆⌒(> _

Day2 9:00 Higashizawa Bridge

A colorful bridge surrounded by majestic mountains. A spectacular spot.

Higashizawa Bridge

The large red bridge, set against the backdrop of the Yatsugatake Mountains, is 90 metres long and 48.9 metres high and offers beautiful views all year round.

📍 : Higashizawa Bridge Address : Oizumicho Nishiide, Hokuto, Yamanashi 409-1501

Day2 10:00 Kiyosato Terrace

The extremely popular resort "Sun Meadows Kiyosato Highland Park". In winter, it is a ski resort, and from spring to autumn, you can enjoy activities and gourmet food in the great outdoors.

Read our review of the G-Cart here.

Be sure to try out the G Kart, an exhilarating activity that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Once you get off the lift, you'll find the Kiyosato Terrace, a café with a spectacular view.

Enjoy a 10-minute aerial stroll to Kiyosato Terrace, which is 1,100 meters long and 1,900 meters above sea level.

You can enjoy magnificent views from Mt. Fuji to the Southern Alps 🏔️🗻

📍: Sun Meadows Kiyosato Highland Park

Business hours : 9:30 – 17:00

Opening period : 27/4 – 6/5/2024, 25/5 – 4/11/2024

Address : 8240-1 Nishiide, Oizumi-cho, Hokuto-shi, Yamanashi Prefecture, 407-0311

Website

Day2 11:30 Moegi Village (Rock)

Moegi-no-Mura, nestled in the forest at the southern foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Kiyosato, is a complex where you can enjoy shops, restaurants, and museums.

Have lunch here.

Founded in 1971, Moeginomura Rock is a restaurant that has been loved for over half a century. Its specialty curry has a rich flavor that has remained unchanged since it first opened, and it is popular with locals as well as tourists visiting the Kiyosato area. Moeginomura Rock also has a brewery where you can drink Yatsugatake Beer Touchdown, a craft beer that won the world's highest award at the World Beer Awards.

Bacon Curry Half 1,810 yen

Spaghetti Bolognese sauce 1,850 yen

The specialty curry is hearty and rich in flavor.

In addition to curry, the menu also has a wide selection of items such as spaghetti, pizza, and steak.

Instagram @moeginomura.rock

Homepage: https://rock1971.jp/

Business hours : 10:00〜22:00 (LO 21:30)

Closed : None

📍 : Moegi Village

Opening hours : 10:00 – 18:00

Address: 3545 Moegi Village, Kiyosato, Takane-cho, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, 407-0301

Website

Read the Moegi Village article. The full version is available here:

Near other attractions

After enjoying lunch, let's head towards Nagano. ♡ ·͜·♡

Day2 14:30 Suwako SA (Service Area) (Downbound)

A service area on a hilltop. You can enjoy a leisurely view of Lake Suwa and the mountains. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes. The convenience store and food court are open 24 hours a day.

Lake Suwa is a lake located in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. It is the largest freshwater lake in Nagano Prefecture.

Address: 461-1 Hokubo Michigami, 394-0044 Nagano, Okaya, Minato

Website

I'm leaving for Matsumoto. (੭ ˙ᗜ˙)੭♡ˎˊ˗

Day2 15:30 Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle, designated as a national treasure, is thought to have had its castle tower constructed between 1593 and 1594, making it the oldest surviving five-story, six-storey castle tower in Japan. It is also the symbol of the city of Matsumoto.

Opening hours : 8.30 – 16.30

Address : 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, 390-0873

Website

Day2 17:00 Toyota Rent a Car Matsumoto Station Branch

Return your rental car here.

From Shizuoka Station, go through Hokuto City to Matsumoto City.

We enjoyed the food, history, and spectacular views, and it was a very fulfilling trip.

Opening hours : 8.00 – 20.00

Address : 2-1-20 Fukashi, Matsumoto City, 390-0815

Website

You can adjust your travel plans. Enjoy your trip to Japan. ٩(◕‿◕)۶