Our best-loved Nakasendō Trail package is a 5-day hike perfect for hiking enthusiasts and those who wish to experience more of the Nakasendō. Enjoy hikes of 1 to 6 hours and visits to the most beautiful post towns.
Nakasendo self-guided walking 5 days
Nakasendo self-guided walking 5 days
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June 2024
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Tour details
Nakasendo self-guided walking 5 days
x1 traveller
USD 0
Single room additional charge
USD 420
TOTAL
USD 0
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: 5 days
- Trip level:Active
- Availability: Recommended from April to November
- Type:Self-guided
- Price: USD 1,465(Price per person, based on 2 travellers sharing a room)
Highlights
- Walk village to village on the loveliest parts of the old Nakasendō Trail
- Visit the exquisitely preserved villages of Magome, Tsumago, and Narai
- Bathe in the thermal waters at a hot spring ryokan
- See beautifully crafted lacquerware in Kiso-Hirasawa
- Visit Matsumoto and see its famous castle
- Hike country trails and quiet rural roads, with some gentle ascents and descents
The Nakasendō or 'Road Through the Central Mountains' was part of feudal Japan's network of highways. Travellers moving between Kyōto and Tōkyō took several days to travel the Nakasendō, staying overnight in post towns along the way. Today's visitors can walk sections of the original route by day and stay in local inns by night.
Our classic 5-day Nakasendō itinerary includes the best sections of the Kiso Valley portion of the Nakasendō Trail, following the same linear path from Magome through to Tsumago, Kiso-Fukushima, Narai, and Kiso-Hirasawa.
After visiting Kiso-Hirasawa, you will head to Matsumoto with the opportunity to visit one of Japan’s few remaining original castles, Matsumoto Castle, also called ‘Crow Castle’ due to its black exterior.
Then, continue by train to one of the mountain towns of Komoro or Karuizawa, where you’ll enjoy a traditional ryokan stay. Your final day of walking is a beautifully remote walk from Karuizawa, descending through the forest to the town of Yokokawa. From Yokokawa, travel onward by train to Tōkyō.
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.
Please see here for luggage options.
What is included
 | 4 nights at Japanese inns along the Nakasendō Trail |
 | 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners |
 | Train tickets from Kyōto or Tōkyō to the trail and from the trail to Tōkyō |
| Train tickets for intermediate journeys on the Nakasendō trail |
 | Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions |
 | Topographical maps |
 | Local support by telephone |
 | Our Preparing for your trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks |
What is not included
 | 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 |
Itinerary
Tour itineraries are subject to change. We will inform you of any amendments as soon as we become aware of them.
Day 1: Hike from Magome to Tsumago
Day 2: Hike from Tsumago to Nojiri
Day 3: Hike from Yabuhara to Narai and on to Kiso-Hirasawa
Day 4: Sightseeing in Matsumoto and transfer to Karuizawa
Day 5: Hike from Karuizawa to Yokokawa and transfer to Tōkyō