Hello All,

I've been planning a trip next month for Japan. I've been to Tokyo and Kyoto areas in previous trips (this is my third).

Right now I have a 6 days in Japan planned. I will have 4 days in Tokyo and 3 days in Kanazawa. I'm looking for opinions for the day i'm traveling between Tokyo and Kanazawa. I was looking for an interesting route and/or stopover on the way from Tokyo to Kanazawa.

Based on the research i've done, I've narrowed it down between the following options. Of course, I am open to more ideas, but wanted to see what people may recommend or any inputs that people have based on what I am thinking. We will have a japan rail pass in case that changes people's inputs.

Personally, my wife and I both enjoy temples/shrines/gardens/ food/drinks/culture types of things.

1) Alpine Route (Seems interesting, but also a long day and an extra ~$180 USD for 2 folks)
2) Nagano (See the Tokagushi Shrine and Zenkoji Temple
3) Kurobe Gorge
4) have an extra day in Kanazawa (take earlier train, but would like opinions on what else to do in kanazawa or kanazawa area).
5) Some unique or off the normal tourist route types of things in Tokyo (We have done the usual tourist stuff in Tokyo on previous trips)

Would appreciate everyone's thoughts on what might be some tips on things to do enroute.

Thanks

Drek