The Highlights Trip with Shimo-Suwa Onsen

You will meet your guide today at the Nakatsugawa train station at a set time (refer to your travel documents). Nakatsugawa is number 45 of the 69 post towns on the Nakasendo Way and after storing your luggage we’ll set off on a walk through the Backstreets of Nakatsugawa and the old town area. You’ll wander through the town’s narrow winding streets and discover the myriad of well-preserved wooden buildings, residences and warehouses (kura) originally constructed during the historical Edo Period, a time when the town prospered with a population of over 1000 people and around 200 houses. You’ll learn of the town’s rich history and gain an understanding of local village life as you encounter local people along the way. Following your introduction to the area on your guided exploration, we’ll head to your accommodation for the evening and an orientation of what lies ahead in your adventure.

Later you may choose to relax in the lovely garden setting of your guesthouse for the evening, or perhaps you may like to go for a further wander and visit the Naegi Castle ruins, a 3km walk from your accommodation.

Meals: D

After leaving Nakatsugawa at the ancient Kosatsuba (official proclamation board) you will come across red torii gates. There will be some steep slopes today before Ochiai and then you will be walking on an old cobblestoned way. This route takes you to the stone path entrance of Magome, one of the highlights of the Nakasendo Way. Notably, its kosatsuba features old wooden tablets stating in Japanese that: “No Christianity can be practised”.  Magome (Horse & Basket) is number 43 of the 69 post towns along the way to Edo (Tokyo). It truly gives a sense of what the post towns were like during 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, and there is a good spot for a rest break here. 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 area of the 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 inn.

Meals: B, D

Today’s walk takes us through Nagiso and the beautiful Yogawa Forest. The trail is a mix of bamboo and cedar forest and weaves through some local villages. It is quite hilly today, with a little bit of road walking, though quite and mostly in amongst the trees. The Nenouetoge pass has some steep, sustained ascents and descents. The streams and rivers running alongside the trail are a highlight. After a late lunch in Nojiri, we make our way to the train station for a 40-minute ride to Kiso-Fukushima.

Kiso-Fukushima has a lovely preserved old town section, on the Nakasendo Way path, close to your accommodation. Your ryokan this evening has a wonderful indoor and outdoor onsen, but you may first like to stop by the public foot onsen by the river to soak your feet after today’s hike while watching the world slowly go by.

After dinner this evening, If any of the group are keen, there is a great little karaoke venue within a short walk of your accommodation.

Meals: B, D

Your guide will lead you on a walk this morning to the Kozen-Ji Temple, the Kiso Valley’s most famous temple, the Yamamura Residence, once home to the powerful governor and the Fukushima Checkpoint. We’ll then catch the train from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara. We may stop for lunch in a great little noodle restaurant before we start our final day’s walk along the Nakasendo Way. From Yabuhara the trail heads uphill, past some shrines and on up to the Torii Pass. Named after the Shinto Torii Gate, this marks one of four protective sites surrounding Mount Ontake. At 1197m, the Torii Pass is a great vantage point with views of Mount Ontake on a clear day. The descent takes us along narrow mountain paths until we emerge at the outskirts of Narai.

Narai is a lovely place and was the wealthiest of the post towns along the trail. Wander along the main road, explore and relax in the little cafes and shops of this well-preserved and atmospheric town.

Meals: B, D

Today we will journey by train further along the Nakasendo Way to the post town of Shimosuwa. Historically, this was an important resting and healing spot for wounded samurai during the Edo period. It’s also a fitting location to finish your journey. Much of the traditional architecture remains and on arrival in Shimosuwa, your guide will take you on a walk around the town which encompasses a number of temples and shrines, including the Suwa Taisha Shrine, considered to be one of the oldest shrines in Japan, the mossy Jiunji Temple with its zen stone garden and the impressive Manji Stone Buddha. The town is now most known for one of Japan’s most unique events, the Onbashira Festival, which takes place every seven years and involves participants riding giant logs or pillars down the side of the hill to the river.

Following your guided walk you may like to hire a bike and ride the path around Lake Suwa (16km) or cycle for a couple of kilometres past the Jiunji Temple to see the site of the pillar riding for the Onbashira Festival. You may opt to further explore the town area which is home to a number of sake breweries that offer tastings and there’s also a great little district of galleries, studios and workshops run by artists and craftspeople. If you’re ready to relax and indulge a little, you can choose to visit one of the 150 onsen bathing facilities in the area or treat yourself at the full-service spa at your accommodation.

Your traditional ryokan is a short walk from the lake and has a history that dates back over 300 years and hosted princesses and shoguns as they made their trek between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). They have a beautiful central garden area and a wonderful indoor and outdoor onsen bath. Along with the amazing meals, it’s a perfect way to end your Nakasendo Way experience.

Meals: B, D

Today is departure day and your trip ends after breakfast.

Meals: B

• 5 nights in traditional Japanese guesthouses/inns (ryokan)
• Daily meals (as listed in the itinerary)
• 6 days fully guided by an expert local guide
• Luggage transfers on your hiking days and day 5
• Local train tickets (as per the itinerary)
• Pre-tour briefing in Nakatsugawa
• Pre-departure pack including track notes, maps, Japanese phrasebook (1 pack per 2 clients travelling together)
• Local and Australian emergency contacts

• Flights
• Travel insurance
• Local bus tickets
• Train tickets to/from the start and endpoint of the itinerary
• Beverages other than water at meals
• Expenses and items of a personal nature
• Lunches on all days (we recommended places to eat)