Village-to-village hiking of the highlights of the Nakasendō, recommended for novices and families. Enjoy flexible hiking with 3 hikes of 1 to 6 hours.
Village-to-village hiking of the highlights of the Nakasendō, recommended for novices and families. Enjoy flexible hiking with 3 hikes of 1 to 6 hours.
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.
The Nakasendō Trail is a historic route through the mountains that has its origins in ancient pathways throughout Japan. During Japan’s feudal era, it was a route travelled by lords and samurai travelling between Kyōto and Tōkyō.
Our 3-day self-guided Nakasendō tour provides a fantastic introduction to the trail on this condensed version featuring the highlights of the preserved post towns of the Nakasendō Trail located in the Kiso Valley. You’ll travel to and from the trail with ease on Japan’s renowned bullet trains.
The meandering route takes you from post town to post town, taking you to Magome, Tsumago, and finishing in Narai. Along the way you’ll pass waterfalls, stands of bamboo, small temples and shrines, and tiny hamlets, experiencing a mix of paved and dirt paths.
In the evening, you stay overnight in traditional Japanese inns. Typically your accommodation will consist of an evening in a small family-run guesthouse known as a minshuku, and on your second night, you’ll enjoy bathing in thermal onsen waters. There is no better way to finish a hike than with a bath in a soothing hot spring!
We’ve included breakfast and dinner at your accommodations so you can dine on delicious mountain produce which has been carefully prepared by your inn. During the day, we recommend you stop for a meal of soba noodles made with buckwheat – a mountain speciality.
This 3-day self-guided walking tour, which includes the highlights of the Nakasendō, is great for novice hikers and families with younger children, as the length and hiking inclusions are flexible, and can be bypassed by using available local public transport options. Please see the full details in the itinerary below.
You’re supported by our team in Kyōto, our local Tsumago office, and guided by our bespoke turn-by-turn walking instructions and detailed maps, created by our team of hikers for you.
If you seek a taste of this historic route, our Nakasendō self-guided 3-day walking tour is a great way to include time in the Japanese countryside into your broader travel plans.
Please see here for luggage options.
We happily welcome younger walkers on our trips with an accompanying adult. We offer a 10% price reduction for children (6-11) and an 80% price reduction for infants (0-5). Please contact us for specific hiking, meal or bedding enquiries.
2 nights at Japanese inns along the Nakasendō Trail | |
2 breakfasts and 2 dinners | |
Train tickets from Kyōto or Tōkyō to the trail and from the trail to Kyōto or to Tōkyō | |
Train tickets for intermediate journeys on the Nakasendō Trail which can be pre-booked in advance | |
Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions | |
Detailed maps | |
Local support by telephone and at our Nakasendō branch | |
Our Preparing for Your Trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks |
Flights | |
Airport transfers | |
Drinks and meals not included in itinerary | |
Local bus journeys which must be paid directly to the bus driver | |
Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy | |
Daily luggage transfer |
Tour itineraries are subject to change. We will inform you of any amendments as soon as we become aware of them.