length
7 Days
difficulty
Moderate - Challenging
trip cost
From $3755 pp
Nature Immersion
Cultural Interest
Highlights
get ready for
- Fully guided walk with our qualified Japanese guide
- View spectacular scenery in Japan’s central mountains
- Dive into the colourful history of the Shogun/Samurai
- Visit 16 of the original post towns from the Nobi plain land to deep in the Kisoji valley
- Walk on the original ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
On The trail
The experience
The Nakasendo Way offers picturesque, tranquil walking and a variety of trail conditions as you progress along the Kiso Valley. Much of the time you will be walking through fields and rural villages and enjoying gentle inclines that can be taken at a comfortable pace. In the forest you will be walking on a track that can be wet or uneven underfoot. In the more built-up areas the path itself is asphalt, while at its wildest it becomes unformed grit winding between alpine conifers. For sections in between these two extremes, the path is clad in what’s known as ishidatami – a traditional style of stone paving.
Watch the video to get good insights into the scenic beauty and cultural attractions of the Kiso Valley and its post towns.
Trip Leader
KAZUNORI UKISU (UKKY)
Ukky is an expert local guide who lives in the area and leads our trips along Japan’s picturesque Nakasendo Way. Ukky has been guiding in the mountains since 2012. His knowledge of the history and culture of this walk and Japan itself is extensive and fascinating. He loves meeting new people and sharing his time and insights with RAW Travel clients, who all love his cheerful company. Ukky lives on a hill and watches life unfold on the Nakasendo Way every day. He moved to this area with his wife and four children in 2002 and loves the fresh air, verdant landscape and clear rivers. He will introduce you to aspects of the local culture that as an outsider you would otherwise miss.
Itinerary
Daily details
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.
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.
Meals: B, D
Today is a much shorter day, with gentle and undulating walking. We will pass through towns and villages and parts of the city across rice paddies and fields and even through home gardens. Our guide will stop and talk to the locals along the way and will explain about the Japanese culture in this district, and there is a good chance we will be offered tea and cake along the way. There will be plenty stops for food and water. When arriving into Nakatsugawa, which was number 45 of the 69 traditional post towns of the Nakasendo Way, you can spend the rest of the day exploring, or our guide can show you around the town. Also worth a visit is the Naegi Castle ruins, located just north of the town.
Meals: B, D
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.
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.
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.
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
Map
Explore
Mitake
Mitake was number 49 of the 69 post towns of the Nakasendo Way connecting Edo with Kyoto. It flourished with the passage of people, materials, information and culture, and was said to be one of the liveliest post towns in southeastern Gifu.
CLICK ON A PIN TO REVEAL INFORMATION ABOUT THAT LOCATION
Hosokute
Hosokute was first established in 1610 as a temporary post town between Okute-juku to the east and Mitake-juku to the west. It was originally built to alleviate the major congestion of travellers along this section of Nakasendo.
Ena
Ena was an important post town and the Edo heritage can still be seen today. The Hiroshige Museum of Art features some wonderful woodblock prints of the Nakasendo Way and is well worth a visit.
Nakatsugawa
Nakatsugawa was number 45 of the 69 traditional post towns of the Nakasendo Way. In the town’s narrow winding streets there are myriad well-preserved wooden buildings, residences and warehouses (kura). Worth a visit is the Naegi Castle ruins, located just north of the town.
Magome
Magome (Horse & Basket) was 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.
Tsumago
The enchanting main village of Tsumago (number 42 of the 69 post towns) 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.
Kiso-Fukushima
Kiso-Fukushima was one of the four security checkpoints during the Edo period and thus flourished as a political and economic centre in the Kiso Valley. The Kozenji-Temple houses the valley’s most famous temple and the largest stone garden in Japan.
Yabuhara
Yabuhara was number 35 of the 69 post towns and is located shortly before the Torii Pass (1197m), which offers great views of Mount Ontake on a clear day.
Narai
Lovely Narai was the wealthiest of the post towns along the trail. Explore and relax in the cafes and shops of this well-preserved and atmospheric town.
Inclusions
Whats' included?
- 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
- 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)
Exclusive Guide
get inspired
Ready to step back in time and discover a centuries-old road through the mountains of central Japan? The Nakasendo Way is a stunning 94km journey from Mitake to Narai. Steeped in history, much of this walk weaves through the picturesque Kiso Valley. The ‘post towns’ strung out along the route give an enticing and authentic glimpse into Japan’s past.
There is so much to discover on this route! Find out more in our comprehensive destination guide – it’s bursting with inspiration, travel essentials, practical information and more!
Japan
The Kiso Valley Highlights Trip – Nakasendo Way
- A great introduction to walking in Japan
- Taste the specialities of the Kiso Valley
- Enjoy wonderfully preserved ancient villages
- Stay overnight in family-run ryokans
$2,250.00
Japan
The Spring Group, Self-Guided Trip – Nakasendo Way
- Trek in a group of like-minded travellers
- Take a journey through the heart of Japan
- Follow in the footsteps of the Tokugawa Shogun and the Samurai
- Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
$3,350.00
Japan
The Highlights Trip with Shimosuwa Onsen – Nakasendo Way
- Visit Shimosuwa, the only hot springs district
- Understand the feudal history with our local guide
- Walk the historical Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley
- Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima and Narai
$3,250.00
Japan
The Self-Guided Trip – Nakasendo Way
- A journey through the heart of Japan
- Walk the historical Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley
- Walk on ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
- Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
$3,150.00
Japan
The Shimosuwa Trip – Nakasendo Way
- Extended walk on the ancient Nakasendo Way
- Journey through the heart of Japan
- Explore Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
- Visit the historic town of Shimosuwa and unwind in the onsens
$3,850.00
TRIP date selection
when would you like to travel?
Please select your preferred dates for on-demand trips or select a scheduled date for group departures. If you have booked a self-guided trip please understand that because your trip date is on demand and we must check availability of all properties on your chosen dates before it can be fully confirmed