Japan Drive Route Guide
Area
Northern Honshu(Tohoku)
Travel Period
2D1N
Route
205
Overview
Start
Niigata
Goal
Niigata
Way
return_trip
Travel Pace
busy
Distance
220 km
Rank
Highway fee
¥ 0
About this route
2 days 1-night driving route which you can drive from Niigata City to the historical castle town AizuWakamatsu and back.
The driving distance is about 250km. If you like Onsen, you can stay Japanese style Ryokan with onsen on day1. Due to long driving distance and many sightseeing spots, the travel pace is very busy. And you cannot drive "Bandai-Azuma Skyline road(Route70)" which is considered one of the best scenic driving routes in the whole of Japan. It is highly recommended to extend your travel period and choose route 206 or 207.
The highlight of this route is the "Northern Culture Museum", "AizuWakamatsu city" with its long history and many attraction, and so on.
Recommended food is fresh seafood around Niigata City, Kitakata Ramen, and Horse meat in Aizu-Wakamatsu.
In spring, you can enjoy tulips, rape blossoms, and Iris. There are also many amazing cherry blossom spots too.
In autumn, you can enjoy amazing autumn colored leaves at many sightseeing spots.
Our daily driving map will recommend you only the spots where is the best timing to visit.
Niigata
rental_car32 877 520*46
Location Guide Page
AizuWakamatsu
sightseeingMC:Check Description
Location Guide Page
Northern Culture Museum
sightseeing32 588 292
Location Guide Page
Shogunsugi giant cedar tree
sightseeing463 493 079*86
Location Guide Page
Kitakata town parking
public_facilityMC:97 825 649*67
Location Guide Page
Lake Hyoko
sightseeing32 598 890*34
Location Guide Page
Northern Culture Museum
sightseeing32 588 292
Location Guide Page
Roadside Station Aganosato
public_facility463 547 185
Location Guide Page
Shogunsugi giant cedar tree
sightseeing463 493 079*86
Location Guide Page
Mikawa Tourism Mushroom Farm
restaurant463 465 894*84
Location Guide Page
Shikimeguri Observatory Tennyono Hanaikada
sightseeing463 446 190*74
Location Guide Page
Niigata Rice Cracker Kingdom
sightseeing524 050 151*10
Location Guide Page
Niigata Chuo Wholesale Market
restaurant32 765 829*53
Location Guide Page
Nippon Rent a Car Niigata Bandai
rental_car32 877 520*46
Location Guide PagePia Bandai
sightseeing524 007 444*61
Location Guide Page
Garden Cafe Ichishima
restaurant157 370 813*44
Location Guide Page
Kanda Farm Milk Passport
sightseeing32 329 355*17
Location Guide Page
Kawara Terrace
restaurant32 418 805*61
Location Guide Page
Y&Y GARDEN
restaurant32 417 081*63
Location Guide Page
Nippon Rent a Car Niigata Station Shinkansen Exit
rental_car32 847 745*24
Location Guide PageNippon Rent a Car Niigata Airport
rental_car524 103 266*62
Location Guide PageSannokura Highland Flower Farm
sightseeing674 299 463
Location Guide Page
Roadside Station Kitanosato
public_facility413 690 626*83
Location Guide Page
Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossom
sightseeing97 854 132*88
Location Guide Page
Abe Shokudo
restaurant97 855 037*70
Location Guide Page
Bannai Shokudo
restaurantCheck Description
Location Guide Page
Genraiken
restaurant97 824 237*62
Location Guide Page
Tsuki to Ohisama
restaurant97 824 742*02
Location Guide Page
Yamatogawa Sake Brewery
sightseeing97 824 805*81
Location Guide Page
Wakaki Shoten
sightseeing97 824 569*26
Location Guide Page
Kirinoko Ningyokan
sightseeing97 824 224*25
Location Guide Page
Takino Wappa Meshi
restaurant97 292 183*67
Location Guide Page
Tsurugaoka Saryo
sightseeing97 262 545*74
Location Guide Page
AizuWakamatsu
sightseeingMC:Check Description
Location Guide Page
Niigata
rental_car32 877 520*46
Location Guide PageAizuWakamatsu City
sightseeingMC:Check Description
Location Guide Page
Kitakata town parking
public_facilityMC:97 825 649*67
Location Guide PageMt.Yahikoyama
sightseeing190 127 799*31
Location Guide Page
Sannokura Highland Flower Farm
sightseeing674 299 463
Location Guide Page
Roadside Station Kitanosato
public_facility413 690 626*83
Location Guide PageNicchu Line Weeping Cherry Blossom
sightseeing97 854 132*88
Location Guide Page
Abe Shokudo
restaurant97 855 037*70
Location Guide Page
Bannai Shokudo
restaurantCheck Description
Location Guide Page
Genraiken
restaurant97 824 237*62
Location Guide Page
Tsuki to Ohisama
restaurant97 824 742*02
Location Guide Page
Yamatogawa Sake Brewery
sightseeing97 824 805*81
Location Guide Page
Wakaki Shoten
sightseeing97 824 569*26
Location Guide Page
Kirinoko Ningyokan
sightseeing97 824 224*25
Location Guide Page
Suehiro Sake Brewery
sightseeing97 291 337*68
Location Guide Page
Syourinkaku
sightseeing97 607 881*48
Location Guide Page
Day. 1Niigata to AizuWakamatsu
This day will head from Niigata to AizuWakamatsu city.
Mileage is about 110km. But if you want to visit the "Mt.Yahikoyama(弥彦山)" area or you want to keep enough time for Kitakata town, it is recommended to depart by 9:00.
The first destination is "Northern Culture Museum(北方文化博物館)" huge traditional house with an amazing garden. On the way from Niigata to AizuWakamatsu, you can stop by some hidden gems such as "Shogunsugi giant cedar tree(将軍杉)".
If you like ramen, it is highly recommended to have lunch at "Kitakata town(喜多方)" where is nationally famous for their soy source based Kitakata Ramen.
Today's destination "AizuWakamatsu(会津若松) city" is a historical castle town and the most recommended spot on this day. There are many nice spots like traditional houses, a Sake brewery, a Japanese garden, and AizuWakamatsu castle. It is highly recommended to reach AizuWakamatsu city at least 15:00.
Along this day's route, there are many spots where are famous for flowers like cherry blossom, turnips, Sunflowers, and autumn colored leaves. Only the spots which are in good timing to visit during your travel will appear. If you find these seasonal spots on your map, it is recommended to visit.
Rent a car at Niigata
If you want to rent or return your car in Niigata, below branches are recommended. Please choose the one which is suitable for your itinerary.
[1]Niigata Bandai branch-新潟万代営業所
There are two branch near Niigata Station. If you stay northside(Bandai-Exit(万代口)) of Niigata station, this branch is recommended. It is located 500m away from Niigata Station.
[2]Niigata Station Shinkansen branch-新潟新幹線口 営業所
There are two branch near Niigata Station. If you stay southside(Shinkansen-Exit(新幹線口)) of Niigata station, this branch is recommended. It is located 200m away from Niigata Station.
[3]Niigata Airport branch-新潟空港営業所
If you want to rent or return your car at Niigata Airport(KIJ), this "Niigata Airport" branch is recommended regardless of whether you take international flight or doemstic flight.
From / to Niigata airport terminal, rental car company provides free shuttle bus. Normally, it takes 1-2min only.
Niigata Airpot is located about 6km away from Niigata Station.
Stay at AizuWakamatsu
On this day, you will stay in Aizu-Wakamatsu(会津若松) city which is a castle town with a rich history.
Many inns are concentrated in the following two areas.
[1]Around Dr.Noguchi Street
Dr.Noguchi Street(野口英世青春通り) is located center of AizuWakamatsu city. Many sightseeing spots are within walking distance and convenient for sightseeing. Most of the accommodations here are 3-star western-style hotels and more reasonable prices than the "[2]Higashiyama Onsen" area. There are some restaurants around there and it is fine to book a plan with breakfast only or without meals. But please be careful that most of them close around 21:00-22:00.
[2]Higashiyama Onsen
Higashiyama Onsen(東山温泉) is onsen town where is located 3km southeast from the center of Aizu-Wakamatsu city. There are many Japanese styles of Ryokan from 3 stars to 5 stars and you can enjoy a room with private onsen and nice Japanese Kaiseki style dinners. However, you cannot walk to the center of Aizu-Wakamatsu city. You can park city parking for sightseeing.
Most of the accommodations in both areas have their own free parking.
Day. 2AizuWakamatsu to Niigata
This day will head from Niigata to AizuWakamatsu city.
Mileage is about 110km. But if you want to visit the "Mt.Yahikoyama(弥彦山)" area or you want to keep enough time for Kitakata town, it is recommended to depart by 9:00.
The first destination is "Northern Culture Museum(北方文化博物館)" huge traditional house with an amazing garden. On the way from Niigata to AizuWakamatsu, you can stop by some hidden gems such as "Shogunsugi giant cedar tree(将軍杉)".
If you like ramen, it is highly recommended to have lunch at "Kitakata town(喜多方)" where is nationally famous for their soy source based Kitakata Ramen.
Today's destination "AizuWakamatsu(会津若松) city" is a historical castle town and the most recommended spot on this day. There are many nice spots like traditional houses, a Sake brewery, a Japanese garden, and AizuWakamatsu castle. It is highly recommended to reach AizuWakamatsu city at least 15:00.
Along this day's route, there are many spots where are famous for flowers like cherry blossom, turnips, Sunflowers, and autumn colored leaves. Only the spots which are in good timing to visit during your travel will appear. If you find these seasonal spots on your map, it is recommended to visit.
Return a car at Niigata
If you want to rent or return your car in Niigata, below branches are recommended. Please choose the one which is suitable for your itinerary.
[1]Niigata Bandai branch-新潟万代営業所
There are two branch near Niigata Station. If you stay northside(Bandai-Exit(万代口)) of Niigata station, this branch is recommended. It is located 500m away from Niigata Station.
[2]Niigata Station Shinkansen branch-新潟新幹線口 営業所
There are two branch near Niigata Station. If you stay southside(Shinkansen-Exit(新幹線口)) of Niigata station, this branch is recommended. It is located 200m away from Niigata Station.
[3]Niigata Airport branch-新潟空港営業所
If you want to rent or return your car at Niigata Airport(KIJ), this "Niigata Airport" branch is recommended regardless of whether you take international flight or doemstic flight.
From / to Niigata airport terminal, rental car company provides free shuttle bus. Normally, it takes 1-2min only.
Niigata Airpot is located about 6km away from Niigata Station.
Check Other 2D1N Northern Honshu(Tohoku) Route
Sorry, we provide our service for Kyushu and Okinawa only. Other areas are under development.