When it comes to Nagoya's scenic routes, most people immediately think of Nagoya Castle or the Sakae district in the city center, but what truly keeps locals coming back are the suburban driving routes that radiate outward from the city. These routes connect valleys, lakes, hot springs, and highlands—using Nagoya as a base for exploring the central mountain region actually reveals the true natural essence of Japan's Chubu area.
This article won't take you to those crowded tourist spots. Instead, we'll share several scenic driving routes from a local's perspective that can be reached in about 1-2 hours by car, perfect for weekend day trips. Whether you want to escape the city's noise, find hidden photography spots, or simply change the scenery and take a deep breath, these routes deserve a spot in your travel itinerary.
Recommended Routes and Destinations
Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route (Accessible from Nagoya): This isn't a pilgrimage that requires completing the entire route—you can drive approximately 2.5 hours from Nagoya to reach the entrance. The most famous section from Hasshomon Gate to Kumano Nachi Taisha features wild cherry blossoms in spring and layered autumn foliage. Road conditions are excellent, suitable for standard sedans, with multiple parking areas and simple restrooms along the way. Perfect for travelers who want to experience the ancient trail's atmosphere without completing the full journey. The nearby Shingu city area has affordable ramen shops where you can eat well for ¥800-¥1000 per bowl.
Cape Irako: About a 2-hour drive from Nagoya, this slender peninsula protruding into Ise Bay is a hidden gem for many photography enthusiasts. The area near Cape Irako Lighthouse is especially recommended during sunset—when the sea transforms into an incredible orange-red hue. The nearby Irako Hot Spring resort has several day-use hot spring facilities where you can enjoy quality bathing for ¥500-¥800. When rapeseed flowers bloom in spring, the entire peninsula becomes a golden carpet—a scene surprisingly underrepresented on social media.
Korankei: Located in the mountains southwest of Toyota City, approximately a 1-hour drive from Nagoya's city center. This place is most famous for autumn foliage, with the best viewing period from mid-November to early December, though spring's fresh greenery is equally impressive. Korankei itself is a canyon where you can walk along the stream, spanning about 3 kilometers with gentle, accessible paths and excellent barrier-free facilities. There are no large parking lots nearby, and traffic controls are in place on weekends, so it's recommended to arrive in the morning. There are several guesthouses serving mountain vegetable cuisine nearby, where you can have lunch with set meals ranging from ¥1500-¥2500.
Lake Hamana: This large lake at the border of Shizuoka Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture is about a 1.5-hour drive from Nagoya. What makes Lake Hamana special is that it possesses both freshwater and seawater characteristics, with very mature service facilities along the lakeshore. We recommend driving along the lakeside road from the Kanzanji Hot Spring side—this section is known as the "Lake Hamana Panorama Line," and on clear days, you can see both Mount Fuji and the lake simultaneously. Lakeside bicycle rental facilities are available, with a full circuit around the lake taking about 3 hours. In autumn, you can taste the famous Lake Hamana clams, with direct-from-fishery restaurants charging approximately ¥1200-¥1800 per plate.
Mt. Goraiji: Located in Shinshiro City, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes drive from Nagoya. The mountain's hiking trail is lined with cedar trees over 400 years old, making the approach itself a grand historical site. The Goraiji Main Hall at the summit is an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and in autumn, the entire valley is dyed in a palette of red, orange, and yellow. The wonderful thing about this place is that it's not a "popular" tourist spot—foreign visitors are extremely rare—yet the quality is完全不輸知名景點. At the mountain's base there's a hot spring street, where you can stay at quite quality traditional Japanese hot spring inns with one-night two-meal packages from ¥8000-¥15000.
Practical Information
Driving is the most flexible way to explore these scenic routes. Renting a cars from Chubu International Airport, language barriers aren't an issue as major rental companies offer English or Chinese services. Using an ETC card (Japan's electronic toll collection system) is recommended—it saves queuing time and provides discounts.
If you're not driving, JR's "Rising Dragon Highway Bus Pass" covers some routes, enabling travel between major attractions, but buses are less frequent and time flexibility is limited.
Most of these attractions are free to enter, with only some temples charging ¥300-¥500 for viewing. Parking fees are generally ¥500-¥800 per session, and most accept cash and some electronic payments.
The best time to visit is spring from April to June, and autumn from September to November. Summer is hot but great for water activities, and some mountain roads may have snow in winter—always check road conditions before departing.
Travel Tips
These routes are more "experiences" than "attractions." Consider driving itself as part of the scenery—the expressways in the Chubu region often treat you to views of Mount Fuji, distant mountains, and fields intertwining, and the service areas are of quite high quality. Stopping to rest is itself a form of enjoyment.
Instead of queuing for photos at popular attractions, save your time for these relatively niche but outstanding quality destinations. The current impact on Japan-China flights in 2026 has changed Japan's tourism crowds, which is actually a great time to explore these "non-mainstream" routes—fewer people, friendlier local service, and easier accommodation bookings.
If time allows, we recommend planning a two-day-one-night itinerary, staying at a hot spring inn, and heading to your next destination the following day. Only this kind of pace allows you to truly experience the slow-living charm of Nagoya's surrounding scenic routes.
