Nakasendo Trail Hiking Tour

Join certified guide Hirofumi on an unforgettable hiking adventure on the Nakasendo Trail and immerse yourself in Japan's rich history, captivating landscapes, and the warm hospitality of its post towns.

Group

3 Days

All year

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Hike across the Nakasendo Trail, a 530-km long historic highway established in the 1600s
Get a glimpse into Japan's past as you venture into traditional inns, restaurants, and shops.
Embark on a two-day hike from Magome to Narai

Description

Discover the beauty and history of the Nakasendo Trail, a 530-km (330-mile) long historic highway established in the 1600s to connect Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo).

Experience the stunning scenery, well-preserved post towns, and challenging hikes that make the Nakasendo Trail a unique and captivating destination.

One of the most popular sections of the Nakasendo Trail is the hike from Magome to Tsumago, which can be completed in a single day. The 9-kilometer (5.6-mile) trek from Magome to Tsumago will take you through lush forests and past cascading waterfalls.

Take a step back in time to the age of the samurai as you explore the traditional Japanese inns, restaurants, and shops found in Magome and Tsumago, two of the best-preserved post towns along the Nakasendo Trail.

This iconic trail winds through the mountains of Nagano, offering a fascinating journey through time that was once traversed by merchants, samurai, and pilgrims.

For a more immersive experience, embark on the two-day hike from Magome to Narai and hike through the heart of the Kiso Valley. While this trail is more challenging than the Magome to Tsumago hike, it is equally rewarding.

On the Magome to Narai trail, you will pass through several beautiful post towns, including Nakatsugawa and Kiso-Fukushima. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to visit the historic Torii Pass, once a strategic checkpoint on the Nakasendo Trail.

Come along on this unforgettable adventure on the Nakasendo Trail - delve into Japan's rich history, captivating landscapes, and the warm hospitality of its post towns. Contact me now to book your trip!

Price includes

Guiding fee
Mountain guide expenses

Itinerary

Day 1: Hike to Tsumago

We can travel from Hakuba (or Matsumoto City) to Nagiso Station by car, train, and bus, with a short hike in between.

In the beautifully preserved post town of Magome, nestled on a steep slope of the Kiso Valley in Gifu Prefecture, we'll start this day's 9 km hike. It will take approximately 3-4 hours and will take you along some of the most well-preserved parts of the Nakasendo Trail before eventually reaching the next post town of Tsumago and Nagiso Sta.

Day 2: Hike From Nagiso Sta. to Nojiri & Train to Kiso-Fukushima

Enjoy a rural Japanese breakfast ahead of today’s 18 km hike to Nojiri. The hike takes approximately 6 hours and is mostly uphill.

Along the way, you’ll be off the beaten path and walking through scenery including tall bamboo groves and cedar forests connected by rural mountain paths and wooden foot bridges.

Once you reach Nojiri, catch an onward train to Kiso-Fukushima (30 minutes), which is home to many lovely ryokans. Perhaps you’ll find time for a steaming onsen to soothe any aching muscles after a long day too.

Day 3: Hike Over the Torii Pass to Narai-juku

From Kiso-Fukushima, catch a quick train to Yabuhara Station. Hike for about 3 hours going up and over the Torii Pass, then continue downhill to Narai-juku village.

On arrival by local train in Yabuhara, follow signs through the quiet town, heading up the mountain to the trailhead of the Torii Pass. This was considered the halfway point of the Nakasendo Road, and traveler documents were checked by feudal security, though nowadays it's a beautifully ethereal spot.

The Torii Gate is nestled among red cedar trees and ancient statues, and glimpses of the Kiso Valley can be viewed through the treetops.

Equipment you will need to bring

Equipment rent on site

For this trip you'll need to bring a backpack and a water bottle.

FAQs

How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?

We will meet at Hakuba Happo Bus station or Mastumoto Station early in the morning.

How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?

We stay at Rryokann, Minsyuku or in a Hotel . The price is ￥15000 for 1 night, and it include 2 meals.

What are the challenges of hiking the Nakasendo Trail?

The Nakasendo Trail is a challenging hike, but it is suitable for hikers of all levels of experience. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, but there are some steep sections and some areas where the trail can be muddy or slippery.

What gear do I need to hike the Nakasendo Trail?

You will need appropriate hiking gear, including comfortable shoes, a backpack, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water. You may also want to bring a rain jacket, just in case.

How will accommodation be handled?

Accommodation will be arranged in either a japanese style ryokan or Minsyuku or Hotel

When and where will we meet?

We will meet in either Hakuba village or Matsumoto city.

Will I be able to rent equipment?

Yes, the rental of equipment will be available.

About the guide

Hirofumi

3.8

(12)

Mountain Guide

I'm a JMGA certified hiking guide as well as one of Nagano Prefecture's Official Mountain Guides for North Japan Alps.

My love for mountains and skiing brought me to live in countries like New Zealand, Canada and Europe (including Chamonix) as a ski instructor and as a tour coordinator for over 10 years.
In Chamonix I was inspired by the IFMGA mountain guides, who were my mentors and who had a lot of compassions, and I started to aspire to become a guide myself.
Currently, I live in the village of Hakuba and guiding mainly in the mountains of North Japan Alps.

My motto is to "have fun safely" and I value the communications I have with clients whilst guiding.

If you want to feel glad you came at the end of the day, then join me to enjoy the Japanese mountains together!

Languages

Japanese | English

Certificates

NPOMG | JMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about this trip

Valerie

I have been trekking some of the Philippine's Mountain & everytime id get a guide. A guide who wil "guide" U & even use their legs or foot for me to step into if no where else to set my foot. A guide who will walk behind you and make sure u're on the right trail & safe & not leave u behind. A guide who will be willing to help u document the journey without asking. Hirofumi is the exact opposite of what a true mountain guide is. Nakasendo trail is actually a trail that doest need a guide. I only got because it'l be my first time and i thought id go alone. He would walk ahead &leave us. Sometimes you wont even see him anymore. I would call him all the time to wait for us. And at our last day i told him to stay behind my friend who was first timer and tired and very slow because its mostly uphill and the warnings of a bear scares me and my friend. He knows we were non pros. I would always ask him to take us photos or videos and i felt that he didnt like it. He didnt help make the most out of the experience. Try booking any guide in the Philippines especially Kawasan Falls in Cebu for less than a hundred US dollars for 4 hours and they'll treat you with so much care even lifting you if needed and documenting every step every move every beautiful spot. This is a total waste of money. I suggest u make sure the guide that you get here are well trained not just someone who can walk. He said it was his 4th times? Only? Also when we checked in our first hotel which he booked himself, he expected us two ladies to share the room with us. And we were totally shocked. He didnt mention this in our inquiries so i cam object and ask him to get his own room. Fortunately there was available room for us to separate. The 2nd hotel that he got was ok. We tried very much to be friendly to Hirofumi but i have to really be honest here.

William

The trip was amazing! Hirofumi-san was the best guide ever….so friendly, knowledgeable, kind, and accommodating. He was not just a guide, he became a friend. The trip was magical! The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. We would highly recommend this trip!!!

Peter

Nishiura was an excellent guide; knowledgeable and with very good English. The walk was very interesting from the Edo-era villages of Magome, Nagiso and Narai to the lovely wooded paths of Day 2 and over the Torii Pass on Day 3. A great variety of walking, together with great places to stay organised by the guide; a resort hotel with onsen the first night, and an authentic guest house the second. I would highly recommend this trip, and particularly the benefit of a guided as opposed to self-guided trip at a very reasonable cost.