Japan Travel Guide: Day Trips & 3-Day Itinerary from Nagoya to Gifu & Nagano Prefecture
Here [Music] are a few places that you might want to check out around Nagagoya in Gefu Prefecture. From Nagoya, we’ll be taking a 3-day loop around the area, but all these places are pretty close, so you could easily get to them on a day trip. Location links are in the description if you want to add them to your itinerary. So, let’s go. [Music] All right. So, first we’re going from Tokyo. We’re taking the Shinkansen down to Nagagoya for an early lunch. Naguya is famous for unagi. The Naguya style is a bit different from the Tokyo style where instead of first steaming the eel, they head straight to the grill. And this creates a crunchy texture on the outside and a soft fluffy texture on the inside. Personally, I like the Nagagoya style better. From Nagoya, we’re going up to a little town called Nakatsaw. [Music] The town’s historic neighborhood is perfectly preserved and it’s famous for chestnuts. So, we’re going to get chestnut cake. Mro in Nakatsugawa. We are staying at on Nakatsugawa which is a very contemporary but still Japanese style hotel on Sanenda. So the town of Nakatsugawa is one of the historic towns along the historic route called the Nakasendo Trail. And this trail connects Kyoto to Tokyo. Going up along this trail, we’re going to visit Tsumagojuku. [Music] The town has retained its traditional character very well as well and is a great place to enjoy that kind of vibe without the crowds compared to places like Kyoto. Next, we’re going up to check out some emerald blue waters at Aura Valley. The water, the forests, the landscape is so beautiful that I thought I was back in the Pacific Northwest. [Music] Next, we’re going to Ghetto Onen. [Music] Back in the Edeto period, ghetto onen was said to be one of the three top onsens in Japan. [Music] Next, we’re going to check out Monet’s pond. It looks as if one of Monet’s paintings has come to life. The water is extremely clear. The fish and the vegetation sway gently in the currents and the entire landscape is just a dream. Lastly, we are back in Naga to complete the loop and we are going to check out the Jibli Park. [Music] This is huge. This place deserves a video of its own, but I would highly recommend it and it offers a very unique experience that’s different from the Jubilee Museum in Kichi in Tokyo. All right, so those are a handful of places that I have for you guys for Nagagoya and Gefue Prefecture. I hope that you found something that you might want to check out more of and I hope to see you in the next video. Cheers. [Music]
Shot on Fujifilm X-H1
うなぎの魚十
unaginouoju
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JtS8JRSnbRi6iZeq8
meet tree
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nsKC4dHwNiXVWook9
Oyado Onn Nakatsugawa
お宿Onn中津川
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uaxK9WtVuWe1Rmt2A
Tsumago-juku
妻籠宿
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SCrLm6nAUnDy1R2Q6
Atera Valley
阿寺渓谷
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kVogBWHHszqKR23K7
Gero Onsen
下呂温泉
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oqesC4XeVmFAtenRA
Monet’s Pond
モネの池
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wy1bS5hDJqWbKsb87
Ghibli Park
ジブリパーク
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3UmWnQFAuEpiMYXt6
In this video, we’re taking you on a relaxing 3-day loop from Nagoya through the southern part of Gifu Prefecture, filled with charming towns, scenic nature, and mouthwatering local food. All of these spots can be reached as day trips from Nagoya, but we’re slowing things down a little and making it an overnight adventure. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler looking to go beyond the usual Golden Route, this itinerary gives you a taste of traditional Japan—without the crowds.
We kick things off in Nagoya with a must-try local specialty: unagi (freshwater eel), grilled to perfection. Then it’s off to Nakatsugawa, a town famous for its chestnut sweets. We stop by Meet Tree, a stylish café and shop offering creative chestnut-based treats. For the night, we stay at Onn Nakatsugawa, a beautifully designed, modern Japanese inn that’s perfect for travelers who love architecture and thoughtful design.
Next, we visit Tsumago-juku, one of the best-preserved post towns on the old Nakasendo trail. It feels like stepping back in time—like Kyoto, but peaceful and uncrowded. We continue into nature with a stop at Atera Valley, known for its crystal-clear, emerald blue waters. Then we head to Gero Onsen, once praised as one of Japan’s top three hot springs during the Edo period.
On the way back to Nagoya, we visit Monet’s Pond—a tranquil, otherworldly place that looks just like a painting. And finally, back in Nagoya, we get a glimpse of Ghibli Park. It deserves a full video of its own, but we couldn’t resist a quick peek.
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