Nakasendo
3 DAY SELF GUIDED WALK
The Nakasendo or "Road through the Central Mountains" was part of feudal Japan's network of highways. Travellers moving between Kyoto and Tokyotook several days to travel the Nakasendo, staying overnight in Juku post towns. Today's visitors can walk sections of the original route by day and stay in local inns by night.
The self-guided Nakasendo Trail tour offers the opportunity to spend a leisurely second night at the traditional Japanese inn in Kiso-Fukushima, part way along the trail.
Day 1
Hike from Magome to Tsumago
We supply train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous Shinkansen (bukket train) to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. Walk over Magome Pass to Tsumago, one of the best preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendo post towns. Spend the night at a family run Minshuku in Tsumago or the nearby hamlet of O-Tsumago, with a delisious home cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast included. After dinner, enjoy a stroll through the village streets in the magical quiet of the evening, wearing the yukata gown supplied by your inn.
Walking distance: 8.3 kim / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 326 / 1,069 feet of ascent and 430 m / 1410 feet of descent
Time required: About 3 hours
Accommodation: Minshuku (Family run guesthouse)
Day 2
Hike from Tsumago to Nojiri
We supply train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous Shinkansen (bukket train) to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. Walk over Magome Pass to Tsumago, one of the best preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendo post towns. Spend the night at a family run Minshuku in Tsumago or the nearby hamlet of O-Tsumago, with a delisious home cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast included. After dinner, enjoy a stroll through the village streets in the magical quiet of the evening, wearing the yukata gown supplied by your inn.
Walking distance: 8.3 kim / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 326 / 1,069 feet of ascent and 430 m / 1410 feet of descent
Time required: About 3 hours
Accommodation: Minshuku (Family run guesthouse)
Day 3
Hike from Yabuhara to Narai
We supply train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous Shinkansen (bukket train) to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. Walk over Magome Pass to Tsumago, one of the best preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendo post towns. Spend the night at a family run Minshuku in Tsumago or the nearby hamlet of O-Tsumago, with a delisious home cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast included. After dinner, enjoy a stroll through the village streets in the magical quiet of the evening, wearing the yukata gown supplied by your inn.
Walking distance: 8.3 kim / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 326 / 1,069 feet of ascent and 430 m / 1410 feet of descent
Time required: About 3 hours
Accommodation: Minshuku (Family run guesthouse)
Customer review
Wen Q
We booked a tour through Walk Through Japan for a 3D3N self supported hike at the Nakasendo Trail in Japan.
Despite it being very last minute, WTJ managed to arrange everything for us, including making all bookings and sending the details through email and hardcopy to our hotel in Tokyo.
During the hike, the instructions provided were clear and precise. We had absolutely no issue completing the hike on our own, and yet felt very supported.
We had asked for advice to stay 1 extra night at a midpoint, and WTJ recommended Kiso-Fukushima. That was a wonderful choice as we had the opportunity to explore this beautiful quaint town.
This was our first trip hiking in Japan but will certainly not be the last. The hike was awesome, places were incredibly clean and autumn was simply breath-takingly beautiful.
Accomodation was traditional Japanese Tatami and very comfortable.
Food was impeccable. Nothing can really go wrong with Japanese cuisine.
We highly recommend this tour (perhaps longer, to take in more of the sights).
Package
INCLUSIONS
2 breakfasts and 2 dinners
Return train tickets from Kyoto or Tokyo to the trail
Detailed day by day itinerary and walking directions
Topographical maps
Local support by telephone
Preparing for your trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks
Optional orientation at the Kyoto office
Rates exclude flights, airport transfers, drinks with meals, lunches, bus journey on day 1, single room supplement(s) if required, daily luggage transfer.
