Journey on the Samurai Trail: Nakasendo
The Nakasendo Trail is a historic and ancient samurai route connecting Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo). On this adventure, you will walk this trail with an expert guide, taking in a rich blend of history, culture, and nature.
The trail passes through historic post towns, forests, and mountain passes, giving you glimpses of both Japan’s natural beauty and its beautifully preserved history.
The trail passes through historic post towns, forests, and mountain passes, giving you glimpses of both Japan’s natural beauty and its beautifully preserved history.
Open Dates
Year-round
Length
3 nights, 4 days
Location
Kiso Valley, Nagano
Price
¥740,000~ /person
Highlights
Step into Timeless Post Towns
The Nakasendo Trail passes through several beautifully preserved post towns, or juku, where travelers once rested. These towns are notable for their Edo-period architecture, charming inns, and traditional tea houses.
Memorable Stays at Traditional Japanese Inns
Staying in traditional ryokan inns along the trail is a memorable part of the journey. These inns offer a full immersion into Japanese hospitality, including tatami mat rooms, futon bedding, and a traditional Japanese dinner.
Awe-Inspiring Views of Mountains and Valleys
The trail takes you through stunning natural landscapes, from serene forests to rolling hills and mountain passes. One of the most scenic sections is between Magome and Tsumago, where you can walk along quiet paths, hear the sound of streams, and see spectacular views of the Kiso Valley and the surrounding mountains.
About
This adventure offers a chance to walk through centuries of Japanese history. The post towns that you visit and stay at provide a glimpse into Japan’s past, with their cobblestone streets and wooden buildings that seem untouched by time.
The trail once served as a crucial artery for feudal lords, merchants, and samurai. As you walk the trail, you can see many temples, shrines, and other historical landmarks. At the end of each day, you will stay at a traditional inn in one of the post towns.
Walking the Nakasendo Trail is a great way to experience the harmony between Japan's cultural heritage and its natural beauty.
This trip combines several days of hiking with a car drive to give you access to the greatest number of sights.
The trail once served as a crucial artery for feudal lords, merchants, and samurai. As you walk the trail, you can see many temples, shrines, and other historical landmarks. At the end of each day, you will stay at a traditional inn in one of the post towns.
Walking the Nakasendo Trail is a great way to experience the harmony between Japan's cultural heritage and its natural beauty.
This trip combines several days of hiking with a car drive to give you access to the greatest number of sights.
What's included
- Three days of guided hiking by a local expert guide
- All transportation by private car
- Breakfast and dinners (depending on the accommodation selected)
Kiso District, Nagano
The Kiso District is a mountainous valley covered in forests nestled in southern Nagano. This area is known for its scenic peaks and hot springs and is home to some of the finest sections of the historic Nakasendo Trail.
Highlights of the trail through Kiso are its beautiful hiking trails and picturesque towns. The trail passes through three wonderfully preserved post towns: Tsumago, Magome, and Narai. These towns and their traditional architecture are ideal places to experience old Japan.
Highlights of the trail through Kiso are its beautiful hiking trails and picturesque towns. The trail passes through three wonderfully preserved post towns: Tsumago, Magome, and Narai. These towns and their traditional architecture are ideal places to experience old Japan.
Guide
TETSU
Tetsu began his career in his 20’s as a wild dolphin swimming instructor and guide on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. He discovered the joy of surfing, camping, and outdoor activities, and subsequently worked as a diving guide and PADI Dive Master in Baja California, Mexico, seeking the sea and mountains while traveling the world. Since 2015, he has been involved in guiding long trails and low mountain tours primarily in the Kunisaki Peninsula of Oita Prefecture, as well as various locations throughout Japan.
Through guided walks, he hopes to assist in the rediscovery of oneself through nature. And through tourism, he aims to preserve the culture and local customs that continue to exist in each area.
Through guided walks, he hopes to assist in the rediscovery of oneself through nature. And through tourism, he aims to preserve the culture and local customs that continue to exist in each area.
Itinerary
Day 1: Nakatsugawa to Magome
Begin your journey with a scenic hike from Nakatsugawa to Magome. Along the way, you'll pass:
- Rural landscapes, traditional tea houses, and small shrines
- Ochiai-juku, a quaint post town with cobblestone paths
Hiking distance: 8.5 km
Estimated time: Approx. 4 hours
At the end of the day stay overnight at a local inn in Magome.
- Rural landscapes, traditional tea houses, and small shrines
- Ochiai-juku, a quaint post town with cobblestone paths
Hiking distance: 8.5 km
Estimated time: Approx. 4 hours
At the end of the day stay overnight at a local inn in Magome.
Day 2: Magome to Tsumago
Experience the Kiso Road hike from Magome-juku to Tsumago-juku. Highlights include:
- A gentle ascent to Magome Pass (790m) through lush forests and scenic landscapes
- A pleasant tea shop halfway through the hike, offering a break before reaching Tsumago
- Hiking distance: 8 km
- Estimated time: Approx. 4 hours
Stay overnight at a traditional inn in Tsumago.
- A gentle ascent to Magome Pass (790m) through lush forests and scenic landscapes
- A pleasant tea shop halfway through the hike, offering a break before reaching Tsumago
- Hiking distance: 8 km
- Estimated time: Approx. 4 hours
Stay overnight at a traditional inn in Tsumago.
Day 3: Tsumago to Narai (via Yabuhara)
Start the day with a 1-hour drive from Tsumago to Yabuhara, followed by a peaceful hike:
- Cross the Torii Pass (1197m), surrounded by beautiful forests and mountain views
- Visit a scenic shrine along the way
The end of the hike descends to Narai, one of the best-preserved post towns on the Nakasendo.
- Hiking distance: Yabuhara to Narai (9 km)
- Estimated time: Approx. 4 hours
Stay overnight at a traditional inn in Narai.
- Cross the Torii Pass (1197m), surrounded by beautiful forests and mountain views
- Visit a scenic shrine along the way
The end of the hike descends to Narai, one of the best-preserved post towns on the Nakasendo.
- Hiking distance: Yabuhara to Narai (9 km)
- Estimated time: Approx. 4 hours
Stay overnight at a traditional inn in Narai.
Day 4: Narai & Kiso Hirasawa Exploration
Spend the morning exploring Narai and nearby Kiso Hirasawa.
In Narai you can wander historic streets with their well-preserved Edo-period architecture and charming atmosphere. And in Kiso Hirasawa you can visit the village’s many workshops known for their fine lacquerware craftsmanship.
End your journey after breakfast and a final walk around Narai.
In Narai you can wander historic streets with their well-preserved Edo-period architecture and charming atmosphere. And in Kiso Hirasawa you can visit the village’s many workshops known for their fine lacquerware craftsmanship.
End your journey after breakfast and a final walk around Narai.
Options
This tour is highly customizable and there is a large variety of special experiences that we can arrange.
Please contact us directly for the additional details.
Please contact us directly for the additional details.
- Japanese sake tasting with a sake brewing master
- Wasabi harvest
- Shinshu Salmon harvest
Accommodations
There are a number of ryokan, traditional Japanese inns, that you can stay at in the post towns of Tsumago, Magome and Narai. There are also some minshuku, bed and breakfast stays. Meals will be dependent on where you stay.