Nakasendo Way – Group Guided Trip

This trip is guaranteed to depart with 6 clients

Today you will meet your guide at Nagoya train station at a set time (refer to your travel documents). We will then board the train as a group for Mitake where we will start our Nakasendo Way walk after lunch. Our guide will lead us through the town, into the forest and up a short hill known as the Cows Nose is Missing. This is the true beginning of our Nakasendo Way walk. We stay in the forest on this very scenic section through woodland and lush green countryside, walking on some of the original stoned paving known as ishidatami. There will be a chance to stop at La Province Café as you head towards Hosokute and your accommodation for the evening.

Ascent 445m / Descent 155m

Meals: D

We enjoy our first traditional Japanese breakfast and prepare for an exciting day following in the footsteps of the Samurai. Our guide will explain the walk for today, which will take us through an old section of undulating hills and forests. We’ll also find out about the bears in the forest; we will see bear bells along the way which we ring entering their area. The original route used to go through the golf course; nowadays you will follow the boundary of the course and again we will be walking on traditional stone paths. There is even a section that has only been rediscovered in the last few years. Continuing on our way through the mountains we will come across the well-preserved post town called Okute, before then travelling along the ridge tops and descending into Ena. In Ena you can visit the museum known as the Hiroshiga, which features some wonderful prints of the Nakasendo Way. After checking into your accommodation, you may wish to enjoy a hot Japanese bath to soothe your tired feet.

Ascent 485m / Descent 620m

Meals: B, D

Today offers a gentler and shorter walk, with undulating terrain and mostly easy road walking. You’ll pass through a mix of small towns, rural villages and sections of the city, winding your way across rice paddies, open fields and even home gardens. Along the way, take time to engage with locals and soak in the rhythms of everyday Japanese life and culture.

If you prefer to skip today’s road walking, the train from Ena to Nakatsugawa takes just 10 minutes and is a convenient alternative.

Nakatsugawa is the 45th of the 69 traditional post towns on the historic Nakasendo Way. Once you arrive, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this charming town. Many of the old buildings and shops are still in use, offering a glimpse into its Edo-period heritage.

We highly recommend a visit to the Naegi Castle ruins. Originally built in 1526 by the Toyama clan, this mountaintop fortress sits atop Mt. Takamori. Though only ruins remain, the stone foundations and a reconstructed wooden watchtower provide a fascinating look into Sengoku-period mountain castle design. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of the Kiso River and surrounding forested hills—particularly breathtaking in autumn.

To reach Naegi Castle from the centre of Nakatsugawa, it’s about a 5.4 km walk (or taxi) along Route 257, taking around an hour. The path leads through quiet residential neighborhoods and tranquil wooded paths.

Ascent 220m / Descent 185m

Meals: B

After leaving Nakatsugawa at the ancient Kosatsuba (official proclamation board) we will come across red torii gates just after Nakatsugawa Juku. There will be some steep slopes today before Ochiai and then we will be walking on an old cobblestoned way. It’s on this route that we will be walking up to the entrance of Magome, one of the highlights of the Nakasendo Way. Magome (Horse & Basket) is number 43 of the 69 post towns along the way to Edo (Tokyo). It truly is a reminder of how the post towns were in the Edo period (1603–1868). We will have lunch in Magome at one of the many Japanese inns (own expense).

The Nakasendo Way continues through the centre of Magome past the old shops and inns. The trail begins to climb up to the small settlement of Touge, which is is a good spot to take a rest break. We will then walk over the Magome Pass (800m) and slowly descend through peaceful woodland. We will hear the roar of the Odaki-Medaki waterfalls, which slowly fade as you pass streams and rice paddies coming into the old (smaller) village of O-Tsumago.

Leaving O-Tsumago, the trail climbs briefly before descending into the enchanting main village of Tsumago, (number 42 of the 69 post towns). The street is lined with traditional Japanese wooden houses, shops and ryokan (inns). You might want to stroll through the streets after dinner wearing a traditional yukata gown provided by your accommodation.

Ascent 767m / Descent 595m

Meals: B, D

Leaving the old town of Tsumago at the ancient Kosatsuba (official proclamation board) you will see on the board the old wooden tablets which state that no Christianity can be practised. The trail ascends steeply up the valley then continues through the forest on what is known as the Yogawa Forest Route to Nojiri, passing through cedar forests and farmland. It is one of the most scenic sections of the walk. The forest walk joins the Kiso River as you descend into Nojiri. After a late lunch in Nojiri, make your way to the train station for a 40-minute ride to Kiso-Fukushima. Located halfway on the Nakasendo Way between Kyoto and Tokyo, Kiso-Fukushima was an important checkpoint during the Edo period.

Ascent 615m / Descent 480m

Meals: B, D

Today we will catch the train from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara and start our final day’s walk of the Nakasendo Way, hiking up to the Torii Pass, named after the Shinto Torii Gate, which marks one of four protective sites surrounding Mount Ontake. At 1197m, the Torii Pass is a great vantage point for views of Mount Ontake on a clear day. The descent takes us along narrow mountain paths until you emerge at the outskirts of Narai, a lovely post town and the wealthiest of the post towns along the trail. Explore and relax in the cafes and shops of this well-preserved and atmospheric town.

Return by train to Kiso-Fukushima for a final night.

Ascent 344m / Descent 270m

Meals: B, D

Today is departure day. After your traditional Japanese breakfast, you will say goodbye to your guide and take the train to your next destination.

Meals: B

• 6 nights in traditional Japanese guesthouses/inns (ryokan)
• Daily meals (as listed in the itinerary)
• 7 days fully guided by local guide
• Luggage transfers on your hiking days
• Travel with guide to Mitake from Nagoya Station (ticket included)
• Local bus and train tickets (as per the itinerary)
• Pre-tour briefing at Mitake
• Local and Australian emergency contacts
• Carbon offset for your trip and a native tree planted for every walker

• Flights
• Travel insurance
• Beverages other than water at meals
• Expenses and items of a personal nature
• Lunches on all days (we have recommended places to eat)