Step back in time with a three-day trek along Japan’s historic Nakasendo trails. Walk through pristine forests and enjoy the tranquillity of the Japanese countryside. On the way, stop in atmospheric post villages with well-preserved Edo period buildings to discover the rich traditions of these small, rural communities.
Itinerary
📍 Kyoto Station to Kiso-Fukushima Station: 2 h Tokyo Station to Kiso-Fukushima Station: 3 h
Start the journey in the afternoon through Nakasendo in Kiso Valley, one of the five routes that branched off the former capital of Japan.
The short bullet train ride from Kyoto to Nagoya is then followed by the scenic journey on the limited express train Wide View. Upon arrival at Kiso-Fukushima Station, check-in into the Ryokan.
Overnight in Kiso-Fukushima
Inclusions:
🍗 Dinner
📍 Kiso-Fukushima station to Nakatsugawa station: 0.5 h Nakatsugawa station to Magome: 15 min (bus or taxi)
Today start the journey to Tsumago, one of the post towns that flourished in the Edo Period. Tsumago is now a Nationally Designated Architectural Preservation Site, thanks to the collective effort of its locals to preserve most of the remaining historical buildings.
The trail that runs between Magome and Tsumago is perhaps the most popular section of Nakasendo.
Leave the accommodation in the morning after a Japanese-style breakfast, ride a train to Nakatsugawa and later, a bus to Magome, the start of the Nakasendo Trail. Today’s walk will alternate between well preserved old towns, fields of local farmers and peaceful woodlands.
This trail can be completed in about 3 hours, including some quick breaks (i.e. restroom, tea/coffee).
After concluding the trail, ride a bus to Nagiso and a train to the ryokan in Kiso-Fukushima. Upon arrival, enjoy a nice soak in the onsen before a plentiful dinner.
Overnight in Kiso-Fukushima
Optional Service: There is an optional private transfer from the end of the trail to the ryokan (extra charge).
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner
📍 Kiso-Fukushima Station to Yabuhara Station: 15 min
Take an optional stroll around Kiso-Fukushima after an early breakfast. Afterwards, catch the local train to the next destination.
Optional Self-Guided Itinerary: Yabuhara – Narai-juku trail
Take an optional stroll around Kiso-Fukushima after an early breakfast. Afterwards, catch the local train to Yabuhara, the starting point of the nature and ancient trail between Yabuhara-juku and Narai-juku, which used to be the most dangerous path in Nakasendo.
After about 3 hours, emerge in the old post town of Narai, also referred to as the “Narai of a Thousand Houses” for the many well-restored old buildings that now serve either as souvenir shops or as local restaurants.
Guests can also find many restaurants in Narai that serve local delicacies such as gohei-mochi (sticky-rice cakes) and soba (buckwheat noodles). Traditional inns such as ryokan and minshuku are available to travelers, making it a convenient stopover for trekkers and hikers.
From Narai Station, catch the local train to the next destination.
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast
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