length
5 Days
difficulty
Moderate - Challenging
trip cost
From $2195 pp

Highlights
Get Ready For
- A short hike offering a great introduction to walking in Japan
- Walk the historical Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley
- Original ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
- Understand the history of the Nakasendo Way with our local guide
- Visit the post towns of Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima and Narai
- Following in the footsteps of the Tokugawa Shogun and the Samurai during the Edo period (1603–1868)

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.
Itinerary
Daily Details
Arrive in Nakatsugawa, number 45 of the 69 post towns on the Nakasendo Way. Spend the rest of the day exploring. You will find many of the old buildings and shops still working today, and you can visit the Naegi Castle ruins, a 3km walk from your hotel.
This afternoon there is the possibility of doing an optional Backstreets Walking tour of Nakatsugawa. An expert local guide will escort you as you 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. This is an opportunity to learn of the town’s rich history and gain an understanding of local village life as you encounter local people along the way. (Additional cost applies – please enquire at time of booking)
Meals: D
After leaving Nakatsugawa at the ancient Kosatsuba (official proclamation board) you will come across red torii gates just after Nakatsugawa Juku. There will be some steep slopes today before Ochiai and then you will be walking on an old cobblestoned way. It’s on this route that you 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). You will have time to stroll through the small shops on the main st of Magome.
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 rest break here. You will then walk over the Magome Pass (800m) and slowly descend through peaceful woodland. You’ll 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 village of the main village, 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
Leaving the old town of Tsumago at the ancient Kosatsuba (official proclamation board) you will see on the board the old wooden tablets that state that no Christianity can be practised. The trail ascends steeply up the valley. Continue through the forest on what is known as the Yokawa Forest Route on your way to Nojiri, passing through cedar forests and farmland. It’s one of the most scenic sections of the walk. 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 halfway on the Nakesendo Way between Kyoto and Tokyo, Fukushima was an important checkpoint during the Edo period. The barrier station is situated on the hill overlooking the river as well the Yamamura Daikan (or Magistrates Mansion). Both places are open to the public and have weapons and other artefacts on display. Kiso-Fukushima is also home to the largest stone garden in Japan, and there are a number Zen Buddhist temples to visit, the most famous being the Kozenji.
Meals: B, D
Today you can have a leisurely start to the day and spend some time in Kiso-Fukushima before catching the train to Yabuhara to start your trek. This avoids the highway walking from Kiso-Fukishima. From Yabuhara, the Nakasendo Way climbs 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. Our descent takes you 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.
Meals: B, D
Today is departure day and your tour ends after breakfast.
Meals: B
Inclusions
What's included?
- 4 nights in traditional Japanese guesthouses/inns (ryokan)
- Daily meals (as listed in the itinerary)
- Luggage transfers on your hiking days
- Pre-tour briefing at your hotel in Nakatsugawa
- RAW Travel’s exclusive navigation app
- Local and Australian emergency contact
- Flights
- Local bus and train tickets
- Single supplement
- Travel insurance
- Beverages other than water at meals
- Expenses and items of a personal nature
- Lunches

Walking app
Finding your way
Our unique RAW Travel walking app has been designed to help you navigate easily on the Nakasendo Way, as this is a route with not much English signage. Simply download your map with the unique link we send you and you’ll be able to follow your route with ease, showing your location in real-time without any internet connection needed or cumbersome pages of notes. The app has many great features; it shows the location of each night’s accommodation, and weather forecasts localized for each of your overnight stops. There is information on how and where to catch the trains you need and there are important reminders, safety information, videos and emergency contact information for your route. It also has a unique audio feature that can tell you about places and points of interest as you approach them on the trail.

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!
Nakasendo Way
The Group Guided Trip – Nakasendo Way
- Fully guided walk with our qualified Japanese guide
- Dive into the colourful history of the Shogun/Samurai
- Walk on ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
- Visit 16 of the original post towns from the Nobi plain land to deep in the Kisoji valley
$4,200.00
Nakasendo Way
The Group, Self-Guided Trip – Nakasendo Way
- Trek in a group of like-minded travellers
- A journey through the heart of Japan
- Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
$3,690.00
Nakasendo Way
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
- Walk on ishidatami (stone paving) dating back over 400 years
- Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima and Narai
$3,195.00
Nakasendo Way
Private: The Highlights Trip with Togakushi Shrine – Nakasendo Way
- Walk the historical Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley
- Learn the feudal history of the Nakasendo Way with our local guide
- Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
- Togakushi, visit shrines, walk amongst giant cedar trees
- Nagano, home to Zenkoji Temple, one of Japan’s most important
$2,995.00
Nakasendo Way
Private: The Kyoto and Tokyo Trip – Nakasendo Way
- Explore Kyoto, the cultural and historical heart of the country
- Discover old and new Tokyo with a private, guided tour
- Visit Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima and Narai
$4,650.00
Nakasendo Way
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
$3,790.00
Nakasendo Way
The Shimosuwa Trip – Nakasendo Way
- Journey through the heart of Japan
- Visit Shimosuwa, the only hot springs district
- 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
$3,995.00
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