Combine all the best of the Kiso Valley sections of the Nakasendo Trail, with upgraded onsen ryokan accommodation, and walks in Kamikochi in the Oku-Hida mountains, before finishing in historic Takayama.
Nakasendo and Kamikochi walking 6 days
Nakasendo and Kamikochi walking 6 days
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January 2024
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Tour details
Nakasendo and Kamikochi walking 6 days
x2 travellers
USD 0
Single room additional charge
USD 0
TOTAL
USD 0
Due to accommodation restrictions on this tour, we require guests to travel in groups of at least 2. We apologise for the inconvenience.
If you would like to do multiple tours in one trip or have a question about any of our tours, do not hesitate to contact us with the button below.
- Duration: 6 days
- Trip level:Active
- Availability: Recommended from May to October
- Type:Self-guided
- Price: USD 1,865(Price per person, based on 2 travellers sharing a room)
Highlights
- Bathe in thermal waters at hot-spring Ryokan on every evening
- Village to village walking on the loveliest parts of the old Nakasendo Trail
- Visit the exquisitely-preserved villages of Magome, Tsumago and Narai
- Walking 6 days in the picturesque Kiso Valley, biodiverse Kamikochi and secluded Oku-Hida
- Visit the the engaging castle towns of Matsumoto and Takayama
The Nakasendo or 'Road through the Central Mountains' was part of feudal Japan's network of highways. Enjoy the best forest walks and Juku post towns, before heading into the Oku-Hida mountains to explore the biodiverse Kamikochi before arriving in iconic Takayama.
Please ask for information about our tour extensions; spend more time in the Hida region with our Takayama extension, visiting the UNESCO thatched-roof community of Shirakawa-go and the wonderful teahouses of Kanazawa; enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the Hakone hot spring area and the rural village of Oshino Mura, or the peaceful, agricultural community of Asuka at a charming Japanese inn or with a local family for a unique homestay experience.
Learn more about how our resident staff support our guests in interacting with locals in the village of Tsumago along the Nakasendo trail, and how we we foster relationships with, and contribute to the community by visiting our local Nakasendo branch page.
Daily luggage transfer is available as an optional extra service on some sections of the trail - read about luggage options here
What is included
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5 nights at onsen ryokan or onsen hotels |
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5 breakfasts and 5 dinners |
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Train tickets from Kyoto or Tokyo to the trail |
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Train tickets for intermediate journeys on the Nakasendo Trail which can be pre-booked in advance |
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Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions |
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Detailed maps |
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Local support by telephone and at our Nakasendo branch |
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Our Preparing for Your Trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks |
What is not included
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Flights |
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Airport transfers |
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Drinks and meals not included in itinerary |
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Local bus journeys which must be paid directly to the bus driver |
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Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy |
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Daily luggage transfer |
Itinerary
Day 1: Hike from Magome to Tsumago and Nagiso
We supply train tickets for your journey starting from Kyoto or Tokyo to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous bullet train to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. Walk over Magome Pass to Tsumago, one of the best-preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendo post towns.
In the afternoon, you will be picked up and transferred to your accommodation for the evening, a short drive from the main village of Tsumago.
Walking distance: 8.3km / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 326 m / 1,069 ft of ascent and 430 m / 1,410 ft of descent
Time required: About 3 hours
A longer option of 4 hours is also possible depending on your inn for the evening.
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn) or onsen hotel (hot spring hotel)
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Hike from Nagiso to Nojiri
The longest day on the trail is a beautiful and varied hike from Nagiso to Nojiri. The trail travels through small valleys and past forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, through some of the most unspoilt scenery on the tour. Continue by train to Kiso-Fukushima, a historic post town that once flourished as a political and economic centre in the Kiso Valley. Tonight, enjoy kaiseki style cuisine and hot spring baths.
Walking distance: 14.7 km / 9.2 mi
Elevation gain: 625 m / 1,945 ft of ascent and 530 m / 1,730 ft of descent
Time required: About 5 hours
A longer option of 6 hours is also possible.
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn) or onsen hotel (hot spring hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Hike in the Kiso-Fukushima region
A day to relax and explore the historic Kiso-Fukushima. Our optional walk today travels through a quiet scenic forest before taking in key areas of the town.
Stay at another lovely hot spring inn in the town..
Walking distance: 7 km / 4.3 mi
Elevation gain: 630 m / 2,075 ft of ascent and 635 m / 2,090 ft of descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours of optional walking
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn) or onsen
hotel (hot spring hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Hike from Yabuhara to Narai and Kiso-Hirasawa
Today travel by train for the short journey from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara, the starting point for the hike over the Torii Pass to Narai. Explore this evocative village before a short walk to Kiso-Hirasawa, a historic lacquerware town. From here head on by train and bus to your inn for the evening: another wonderful onsen ryokan close to Matsumoto.
Walking distance: 8.7 km / 5.5 mi
Elevation gain: 345 m / 1,130 ft of ascent and 270 m / 885 ft of descent
Time required: About 4 hours
An easier walk of 6.2 km / 3.9 mi taking 3 hours is also available.
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5: Hike in the Kamikochi wetlands
Travel by bus to the biodiverse wetlands of Kamikochi, a popular site for nature hiking which features dramatic mountain and lake scenery. Head onwards to a secluded village in Oku-Hida for the evening.
Walking distance: 10.2 km / 6.4 mi
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 3-4 hours of optional hiking
A shorter walk of 3.2 km / 2 mi and 1.5 hours is also possible.
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6: Hike in Oku-Hida and travel onward to Takayama
Your final hike in the mountains of Oku-Hida provides you with stunning views out over the local range. Head onwards by bus to Takayama where the tour ends. Explore this engaging town, which is well-known for its crafts, particularly yew-wood carving, Shunkei lacquerware, pottery and furniture. You may also wish to explore the ruins of Takayama castle and walk along the east-side temples before heading onwards.
Walking distance: 6.6 km / 4.1 mi
Elevation gain: 700 m / 2,300 ft of ascent and descent
Time required: About 3-4 hours of optional hiking
Meals: Breakfast
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