Yoga & Hiking in Japan

Arrive in Nakatsugawa, number 45 of the 69 post towns on the Nakasendo Way. You will be collected from the train station in the afternoon and transferred to your accommodation. If you arrive earlier, you may want to explore the nearby Nakatsugawa Old Town where restored, wooden buildings house sake shops, confectionery stores and restaurants. After settling into your accommodation, you will meet your yoga teacher for your first yoga session to help shake off any jet-lag from your travels and build up an appetite for tonight’s dinner. Your walking guide will hold a briefing this afternoon.

Meals: D

We begin the day with an energising early morning yoga session. After breakfast, we will take a local bus to Magome and embark on our first walk directly from through the quaint little UNESCO World Heritage town, the 43rd of the 69 post towns along the way to Edo (Tokyo). Magome translates as horse basket and is said to have derived from old stories of merchants who would have to remove their horse’s basket at this point of the trail and carry it themselves, as the path was too steep for laden horses.  You will discover just how steep the street is as you take the time to stroll around and explore the small shops and cafes.

After lunch we set off on a beautiful walk that encompasses tranquil forest, streams and rice paddies. We venture up and over the Magome Pass (800m) and slowly descend through peaceful woodland. If time allows we may divert to the Odaki-Medaki waterfalls, before making our way to the village of O-Tsumago. Our accommodation for the night is here but we will continue on to the enchanting town of Tsumago. The street is lined with traditional Japanese wooden houses, shops and ryokans (inns). There is time to wander around this photogenic town before heading back to our accommodation for the night. Dinner this evening will consist of seasonal, homegrown ingredients which have been cultivated using traditional farming methods. The meal is an example of tasty Japanese country food and is evidence of their dedication to natural farming methods and hospitality. The property produces its own rice, honey, vegetables and eggs.

Meals: B, D

After a multi-course breakfast we depart O-Tsumago early this morning, following the Nakasendo trail back through the old town of Tsumago. The walk today takes us through villages, and bamboo and cedar forests. Sections can be quite hilly and the Nenouetoge pass has some steep, sustained ascents and descents. A highlight of the walk are the beautiful streams and rivers running alongside the trails. The forest walk joins the Kiso River at Nojiri.

After a late lunch in Nojiri, we make our way to the train station for a 40-minute ride to Kiso-Fukushima. Located at the halfway point on the Nakesendo Way between Kyoto and Tokyo, Kiso-Fukushima was an important checkpoint during the Edo period. The barrier station was set up to check all travellers and to apprehend people who may have been travelling illegally. Two highlights of the town are the beautiful Kozenji Temple with its attractive stone garden and the ashiyu or public onsen foot bath. We take a short transfer to our accommodation for the next 3 nights, a gorgeous Japanese Inn located amongst scenic country side. We unwind from our walk with a restorative yoga session on the outdoor terrace overlooking Mount Ontake. We are in for a fabulous dining experience over the next 3 nights. With a focus on fresh, local produce, meals are a highlight and are prepared with acute attention to detail and artistic flair.

Meals: B, D

We start the day with a therapeutic yoga session before breakfast. Later this morning, we will embark on a walk to the Karasawa Waterfall. The waterfall is located in the Jizo-toge pass, the mountain pass on the way to Kaida Kogen highland and offers an ideal environment for a meditative experience. After visiting the waterfall we have the opportunity to learn how to make soba noodles from buckwheat flour. Soba noodle is a common and popular Japanese dish that originates from the Kaido Kogen region (where we are staying). Once you have made your noodles you will be able to enjoy them for lunch.

This afternoon our guide will lead the group in a Shinrin-yoku session, Originating in Japan, Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the wellness practice of immersing yourself in nature to enhance health, happiness and general wellbeing.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast and a morning yoga session we will transfer to Kozenji Temple. The temple is known for Kanuntei – the largest stone garden in the Orient. There is time to look around the art gallery at the temple before we step back in history and visit the Fukushima Sekisho museum – one of the four most important checkpoints during the Edo period. They have a collection of weapons, photographs and attire of that time.

We then take a train to Yabuhara, where we will have lunch before heading off on our afternoon hike. From Yabuhara, the trail begins with a short walk through the town before a sustained ascent up the hill and into the forest. After some steep climbing we will reach the Torii Pass from which, on a clear day, we will have great views of Mount Ontake. It is a beautiful walk through the forest as you descend into one of the most well-preserved post towns, Narai. It truly is a reminder of how the post towns were in the Edo period (1603–1868). We have free time here to explore the shops, cafes, shrines and museums before we return to Kiso-Fukushima by train and our final dinner together.

Meals: B, D

Today is departure day. We celebrate our journey’s end with a final yoga session. After your traditional Japanese breakfast you can make your way to the local train station for your onward travel.

Meals: B

• 2 nights in traditional Japanese accommodation
• 3 nights countryside Onsen Hotel (traditional Japanese style rooms, ensuite facilities)
• 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
• Guided walking along the Nakasendo Way
• Daily yoga and meditation sessions
• Guided Shinrin-yoku session
• Cooking class
• Luggage transfers while on tour
• Qualified and experienced yoga teacher
• Local transport while on the tour
• Yoga mat bag
• Local and Australian emergency contacts

• Flights
• Yoga mat (please bring your own from home)
• Transport to/from the tour
• Travel insurance
• Beverages other than water at meals
• Expenses and items of a personal nature
• Lunches (with the exception of Day 4)