- Nakasendo – Discover the Old Japanese post towns of Kiso Valley
- Gifu / Nagano / Aichi
- Enjoy the scenic landscape as you follow the old route of Nakasendo.
- Price
- from JPY 240,000
- Duration
- 4nights 5days
- Season
- March to November
Highlights
- Visit the three most preserved post towns of Kiso Valley on Nakasendo Route
Kiso Valley is the most preserved part of Nakasendo Route. You will visit the post towns of Magome, Tsumago and Narai where old townscape with traditional buildings and cobblestone roads remain. Walking around these old post towns will make you feel like you have taken a step back in time to Medieval period. - Hike country trails and quiet rural roads
You will enjoy guided walk along key sections of the Nakasendo route. Hiking along the mountainous trail between Magome and Tsumago as well as Yabuhara and Narai, which are the well maintained section of the former Nakasendo route.
Nakasendo Route and Kiso Valley
Nakasendo is one of five major old highways constructed 400 years ago to connect Edo (Tokyo now) and Kyoto. During the Edo period (1603-1867), there were sixty-nine post towns along this route which ran for about 540 km (~336 miles) so that travelers could rest, eat, and stay overnight. During the Edo period’s, the Tokaido route was closed when the river was flooded due to heavy rain and people were sometimes stranded for days waiting for the permission to cross the river. Nakasendo, on the other hand, had many steep mountains and deep valleys to cross, but people were able to pass without being stopped, so it was actually favored by many travelers, from the common people to the powerful Lord. Many of these post towns have now lost their original purpose and disappeared, but in Kiso Valley, there are several post towns that hold on to the remnants of the old days.
Itinerary
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nagoya Nakatsugawa Onsen | Meet with English speaking guide at Nagoya station around 13:00pm. You will be transferred to Nakatsugawa Onsen by private vehicle. Enjoy nice Japanese dinner and hot springs at night.
Overnight in Nakatsugawa Onsen: Hotel Hanasarasa or similar | Meal Included: Dinner |
| 2 | Nakatsugawa Onsen Magome Tsumago |
Take the morning to discover the old post town of Magome. There are historic spots in the town where you can find various shops specializing in local crafts, souvenirs, and food. In the afternoon, hike the Magome-Tsumago Trail over the Magome pass. The trail is relatively gentle and well-maintained. The section of the former Nakasendo is located between the two postal towns, about 8 km long and takes around 3 hours to walk at a leisurely pace. Experience the same atmosphere in the same way travelers of old times did. **Your suitcase will be delivered to your hotel in Tsumago (luggage delivery fee for one suitcase per person is included) . Overnight in Tsumago : Japanese Inn Hanaya or similar | Meal Included:Breakfast & Dinner |
| 3 | Tsumago Kisofukushima |
In the morning, visit Tsumago which is known today as one of the best-preserved post towns in Japan. You will feel like you entered a time warp going back to the Edo period. After that, we leave Tsumago for Kisofukushima by private vehicle. Once we reach, enjoy a stroll through the old town of Kisofukushima in the late afternoon. Spend a night in a lovely Japanese style Ryokan with its own natural hot spring.
Overnight in Kisofukushima : Onyado Tsutaya or similar | Meal Included:Breakfast & Dinner |
| 4 | Kisofukushima Narai Matsumoto |
On the forth day following along the Nakasendo trail, we will take local trains and hike from Yabuhara to Narai over the Torii Pass, one of the old road’s highest points (approximately 3 hours hike) . We will descend to Narai, another delightful post town. Having a lunch and exploring Narai post town in the afternoon. Then taking train to Matsumoto, the capital of Nagano prefecture. **Your suitcase will be delivered to your hotel in Matsumoto (luggage delivery fee for one suitcase per person is included) . Overnight in Matsumoto : Alpico Plaza Hotel or similar | Meal Included:Breakfast |
| 5 | Matsumoto | After breakfast, we will visit Matsumoto castle on foot, which is one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles, and also listed as National Treasure of the country. After that, tour will end at Matsumoto station around noon.
Meal Included:Breakfast |
| City | Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matsumoto | Meet with English speaking guide at Matsumoto station around 13:00pm. We will visit Matsumoto castle on foot, which is one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles and also listed as National Treasure of the country. Overnight in Matsumoto : Alpico Plaza Hotel or similar | Meal Included: None |
| 2 | Matsumoto Narai Kisofukushima |
We will take local trains to Narai post town and explore this delightful well preserved post town in this morning. Then start hiking to Yabuhara over the Torii Pass, one of the old road’s highest points (approximately 3 hours hike) .
From Yabuhara, we take local train to Kisofukushima. Spend a night in a lovely Japanese style Ryokan with its own natural hot spring. **Your suitcase will be delivered to your hotel in Kisofukushima (luggage delivery fee for one suitcase per person is included) . Overnight in Kisofukushima : Onyado Tsutaya or similar | Meal Included:Breakfast & Dinner |
| 3 | Kisofukushima Tsumago |
Enjoy a stroll through the old town of Kisofukushima in the morning. Then we will head to Tsumago by private vehicle. Once we reach, visit Tsumago known today as one of the best-preserved post towns in Japan.
Overnight in Tsumago : Japanese Inn Hanaya or similar | Meal Included:Breakfast & Dinner |
| 4 | Tsumago Magome Nakatsugawa Onsen |
Hike the Tsumago-Magome Trail over the Magome pass. The trail is relatively gentle and well-maintained. The section of the former Nakasendo is located between the two post towns, about 8 km long and takes around 3 hours to walk at a leisurely pace.
In the afternoon, we will visit the old post town of Magome. There are historic spots in the town where you can find various shops specializing in local crafts, souvenirs, and food. After that, you will be transferred to your hotel in Nakatsugawa Onsen by private vehicle.
Enjoy delicious Japanese dinner and hot springs at night. **Your suitcase will be delivered to your hotel in Nakatsugawa Onsen (luggage delivery fee for one suitcase per person is included) . Overnight in Nakatsugawa Onsen : Hotel Hanasarasa or similar | Meal Included: Breakfast and Dinner |
| 5 | Nakatsugawa Onsen Nagoya |
After breakfast, we will head to Nagoya by private vehicle and tour will end around noon at Nagoya station.
Meal Included:Breakfast |
Price
Season: All year| Price per person | |
|---|---|
| Tour cost | from JPY 360,000 for group of 2people |
| from JPY 280,000 for group of 3people | |
| from JPY 240,000 for group of 4people | |
| Single room supplement | from JPY30,000 |
**Price is for reference only. Price will vary depending on the actual travel dates, hotels to be used etc. Please contact us for a quote.
** This is a general guideline for the tour. We welcome any changes in the types of activities included, duration of the tour as well as upgrades in accommodations, as you request.
** Tour price listed is per person, based on sharing twin rooms; please inquire for price quotes if your group is more or less than the group size limit mentioned.
Including :
4 Nights of Accommodations | English Speaking Guide | Private Vehicle mentioned in above itinerary | Local train fare mentioned in above itinerary| Luggage delivery fee mentioned in above itinerary (one suitcase per person) | Meals (4 breakfasts, 3 dinners) | All entry fees to sites, activities mentioned above itineraryExclusive of :
Transportation to/from Japan | Domestic flight within Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance (Mandatory) | Meals not mentioned in above itinerary | Personal Expenses like souvenirs, beverages etc.)Fitness Level 1.5 out of 5
Suitable for people of all ages who are in fair condition. Please prepare good conditioned hiking shoes, rain gears.
Note :
**Most of the accommodations used in this tour is Japanese inn or Ryokan, which provide Japanese style room without western style bed. You will sleep on futon mattress and bath room areas may be shared. Hotel in Matsumoto is western style hotel with private bathroom.
**Breakfast and dinner served at accommodations are Japanese food and western style cuisine can not be expected. Special requests such as vegetarian meals may not be available at some accommodation, so please inquire.
Contact us about this tour
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. Jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan ｜Travel Agency Registration No. 607
