The Three-Star Route in Japan, comprised of areas highlighted by the Michelin Green Guide, takes travelers through the scenic and cultural gems of Matsumoto, Hida Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa.

It contrasts with the popular Golden Route, which focuses on the bustling urban experiences of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

The Three-Star Route offers a deeper dive into Japan's natural beauty, traditional towns, and historical sites, making it ideal for those seeking an enriching cultural journey.

Matsumoto City lies at the foot of the Northern Alps in western Nagano Prefecture. It features historical treasures like Matsumoto Castle, the Former Kaichi School, and the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, displaying Yayoi Kusama's works. The city retains its castle town charm with attractions like Nakamachi Street, lined with traditional storehouses and white mud-walled homes.

Nearby, you can visit Asama Onsen, Migahara Onsen, and Shirahone Onsen for a relaxing soak. Additionally, the impressive natural landscapes of Kamikochi and Norikura Kogen are just a bit further away.

Matsumoto Castle is a must-see attraction, being one of only 12 castles in Japan built before the Edo period that still has its original tower. Alongside Himeji Castle, it is one of the two five-floor castles and is the oldest existing five-floor castle in Japan. Known as the “Crow Castle” due to its striking black exterior with white lines, it offers stunning views, especially when reflected in the surrounding water against the backdrop of the Alps. Be sure to explore the interior and walk around the exterior for different perspectives.

Kamikochi is a popular mountain resort in Japan, where car access is sometimes restricted to preserve the natural beauty. The trekking courses, open from April 27 to November 15, are well-maintained and range from easy one-hour walks to longer hikes and full-scale climbs. This allows visitors to enjoy the magnificent outdoors according to their preferences.

Takayama City, in northern Gifu Prefecture, is known as "Hida Takayama" due to its location in Japan’s Hida region. Surrounded by the Northern Alps, it offers stunning natural views and well-preserved castle and merchant towns from the Edo period. About 50 minutes by bus from Hida Takayama is Shirakawa-go, a famous tourist spot and World Heritage Site since 1995.

One of the main sightseeing spots in this area is the old town, particularly "Sannomachi Street," which feels like a step back into the Edo period. Enjoy local cuisine such as skewered dishes, nigiri sushi, croquettes, Hida Beef gourmet, and mitarashi dango dumplings. You can also experience the fun of sake tasting.

You’ve probably seen photos of those beautiful traditional thatched-roof houses called gassho. Many of these houses are preserved in Shirakawa-go. The historic villages of Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture and Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture are World Heritage Sites.

Shirakawa-go offers inns where you can stay and hosts annual events from January to February where the village is lit up in the evening. You can enjoy the seasonal beauty of cherry blossoms, fresh green leaves, autumn foliage, and snow scenes.

This area is home to Okuhida Onsenkyo, which includes five hot spring areas: Hirayu, Fukuchi, Shin-Hirayu, Tochio, and Shin-Hotaka, boasting over 110 open-air baths with views of the Northern Alps. In Shin-Hotaka, the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway, Japan's only double-decker cable car, ascends to 2,156 meters, offering a "world above the clouds." Refurbished in July 2020, it now features wider windows for enhanced views.

Kanazawa, located in central Ishikawa Prefecture, is rich in samurai culture and history as a former castle town. The city boasts three famous Chaya Districts, including the Higashi Chaya District, known for its traditional wooden houses and Edo period flower district culture. Omicho Market, Kanazawa’s "kitchen," offers fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruits from the Hokuriku Region, with a vibrant atmosphere and dining options. Art enthusiasts should visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.

Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three major gardens, is a quintessential Japanese garden and a top sightseeing spot in Kanazawa. It features ponds, ornamental hills, teahouses, and beautiful seasonal scenery. The garden is renowned for its winter feature, yukitsuri, a technique using bamboo poles and ropes to protect tree limbs from snow. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing stroll in this serene, traditionally Japanese atmosphere.

Nagamachi is an area historically reserved for middle-class samurai of the Kaga clan. The Nomura Samurai Family Residence, open to the public, showcases the interior of a prestigious mansion and its beautiful gardens.

Toyama boasts the Tateyama Mountain Range, featuring 3,000m-high peaks. Around Toyama Station, you’ll find Toyama Castle and Kansui Park, home to a globally renowned coffee shop. Nearby attractions include the Kurobe Dam, Toyama Bay, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and the Kurobe Valley trolley train. Additionally, visit the World Heritage Gokayama Gassho-style Village. The Toyama Glass Art Museum, designed by Kengo Kuma and opened in 2015, is also a popular spot for photography.

The Snow Wall (Yuki-no-Otani) is the biggest highlight of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. From mid-April to mid-June, visitors can walk between massive snow walls nearly 20 meters high. Additionally, there's a snow promenade overlooking the Tateyama Mountain Range and a snow park for playing in the snow.

The best combination of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Shinjuku Ticket and Three-Star Route Shinjuku Ticket will be introduced later.

Toyama Castle is about a 10-minute walk from Toyama Station, located within Toyama Castle Ruins Park. Built post-war as a memorial for the 1954 Toyama Sangyo Expo, it now serves as a museum showcasing local history and culture.

Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, the Historical Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama spanning Gifu and Toyama prefectures, the Sanmachi District in Hida Takayama, and Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto have all received three stars ("highly recommended") in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

The bus tickets mentioned are a convenient way to visit these three-star attractions. They provide access to spots that are difficult to reach by train, and bus fares are cheaper than flights or the Shinkansen.

There are two types of tickets:

1. The one-way Three-Star Route Shinjuku Ticket goes from Shinjuku to Kanazawa or Toyama, passing through Matsumoto, Hirayu Onsen, Hida Takayama, and Shirakawa-go.

2. The Three-Star Alps Unlimited Ride Shinjuku Pass is a set of four-day open tickets for sightseeing in Shirakawa-go, available for round trips from Shinjuku to Matsumoto and Hida Takayama.

Additionally, the World Heritage Bus 1-Day Pass is convenient for exploring the Shirakawa-go and Gokayama World Heritage sites.

The Three-Star Route Shinjuku Ticket is perfect for travelers heading from Shinjuku to Kanazawa or Toyama, with stops in Matsumoto, Hida Takayama, and Shirakawa-go. As a one-way ticket, it's convenient for those planning to explore further into Hokuriku. Valid for one week, it allows ample time to enjoy the Chubu area, making it one of the best options for traveling from Tokyo to Shirakawa-go.

Japan Bus Ticket Details
・One-way highway bus ticket: Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Matsumoto Bus Terminal (reservation required)
・One-way express bus: Matsumoto Bus Terminal to Takayama Bus Terminal (stop at Hirayu Onsen)
・One-way express bus: Takayama Bus Terminal to Shirakawa-go
・One-way highway bus: Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa Station or Toyama Station (reservation required)

Price
・Adult 9,500 yen, Child (6-12) 4,750 yen

Effective Period
・7 days from the start date

Sales Locations
・Purchase online at Highway-buses.jp: Tickets to Kanazawa, Tickets to Toyama. For web purchases, exchange tickets at Chubu Regional Information Plaza in Keio Shinjuku.
・Purchase at ticket window: Chubu Regional Information Plaza in Keio Shinjuku, Keio Mall, Shinjuku Station South Exit (8:30 AM - 7 PM, Phone: 03-5990-5115)

The Three-Star Alps Unlimited Ride Shinjuku Pass offers round-trip travel from Shinjuku to the Chubu area, making it ideal for Tokyo-based travelers. It includes a 4-day open ticket for exploring Matsumoto, Hida Takayama, and Shirakawa-go in detail. The pass also provides access to renowned hot springs like Shirahone Onsen, Gero Onsen, and Asama Onsen. Additionally, it’s perfect for trekking enthusiasts looking to explore Kamikochi, Mount Norikura, and Mount Hotaka in the Northern Alps.

Japan Bus Ticket Details:
・Round-trip highway bus ticket between Shinjuku Bus Terminal and Matsumoto Bus Terminal (seat reservation required)
・4-day free ticket for Shinshu/Hida area, including main sections (Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Shirakone Onsen, Hirayu Onsen, Norikura Tatadaira, Takayama, Shirakawa-go) and a round-trip ticket to Shinhotaka Ropeway

Price
・4/1 - 11/30: Adult 17,800 yen, Child (6-12) 8,900 yen
・12/1 - 3/31: Adult 15,900 yen, Child (6-12) 7,950 yen
・Valid for 7 days (4 days for free section)

Sales Locations
・Purchase tickets online
・Ticket window at Chubu Regional Information Plaza in Keio Shinjuku (Keio Mall, Shinjuku Station South Exit, 8:30 AM - 7 PM, Phone: 03-5990-5115)

Tickets must be collected in advance. If booking an early flight, collect by 7 PM the day before.

The World Heritage Bus 1-Day Pass is recommended for those who want to visit the World Heritage sites of Gokayama and Shirakawa-go.

This bus ticket allows you to freely get on and off the route from Shirakawa-go on the Gifu side to Gokayama on the Toyama Prefecture side for one day.

If you purchase at the same time as the "Three-Star Route Shinjuku Ticket / Three-Star Alps Route Shinjuku Ticket", you can get a discount, so if you plan to visit, this option is recommended.

Content
・Open ticket between Shirakawa-go and Ainokuraguchi (*Valid only on the issue date)

Set pricing:
・Price: Adult 2,600 yen, Children (4 years old-elementary school student) 1,300 yen

Traveling by bus from Shinjuku to Matsumoto and Hokuriku via the Chuo Expressway is an excellent experience. Outside your window, you’ll be able to enjoy the mountains of the Japanese Alps and reach the destination in comfort.

Get the most out of your journey to the World Heritage sites with these incredible bus tickets that pair with the three-star sightseeing spots in the Chubu region!

Written by Hiroshi & Risa Hasegawa