JAPAN

CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR & ECO ADVENTURE

October 15-22, 2027

THE Nakasendō TRAIL

A short small-group guided walking tour with three hikes of 3-6 hours of village-to-village walking on the Nakasendō Trail

with Annie Fox & Tyler Langdale

NAKASENDŌ AND THE KISO VALLEY GUIDED TOUR

The Nakasendō, or ‘road through the central mountains’, was a key route in feudal Japan’s network of highways. Merchants and travellers moving between Tōkyō and Kyōto spent multiple days to travel the Nakasendō, staying in post towns each evening. A key section of the original route in the Kiso Valley region retains much of the nature and character of this historically significant period of Japan’s history, enabling you to walk from village to village along forested trails, as you overnight in traditional inns with excellent local cuisine and baths.

Japanese accommodations

Staying in a traditional Japanese inn is a highlight of any journey in Japan. With chances to wear traditional yukata robes, bathe in Japanese-style baths, and sleep on a futon laid on a tatami mat, these are a valuable chance to immerse yourself in the local culture. Many inns are in charming historic buildings, or have been in business for hundreds of years, passed down from generation to generation of families. All focus on providing personal and exceptional service.

By day we will walk along the ancient route as it passes through beautifully preserved villages along a gentle path, and by evening we will stay in traditional inns. During these stays, we will enjoy exquisite regional cuisine prepared from the freshest ingredients, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts.

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet in Kyōto to begin the tour

  • Western-style hotel

  • Welcome dinner

  • Meet your guide and the other group members at the tour hotel in central Kyōto in the evening. We will enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Kyōto

  • 6.5 km / 4 mi

  • About 3 hours

  • 305m / 1,075 ft

  • 420 m / 1,380 ft

  • Western-style hotel

  • Breakfast

Day 4: Hike from Magome to Ō-Tsumago

  • 6.8 km / 4.2 mi

  • About 2.5 hours

  • 325 m / 1,070 ft

  • 430 m / 1,410 ft

  • Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)

  • Breakfast, dinner

Journey by train from Kyōto to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous bullet train to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, we board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. We walk over Magome-tōge Pass to Ō-Tsumago, the charming hamlet located just before Tsumago Village. People here are proud of their post-town heritage and have carefully preserved the townhouses.

Later, we check in to an atmospheric, family- run minshuku in Ō-Tsumago. Then, we enjoy a delicious home-cooked Japanese meal and relax to the sounds of nature.

Day 6: Hike from Yabuhara to Narai

  • 8.7 km / 5.5 mi

  • About 4 hours

  • 345m / 1,130 ft

  • 270m / 885 ft

  • Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)

  • Breakfast, dinner

Travel the short train journey to Yabuhara, the starting point for the hike over the Torii-tōge Pass to another post town, Narai. Explore this atmospheric village before travelling by train to the castle town of Matsumoto and your onsen ryokan for the evening. The final hour of the walk is skippable by train.

This morning, explore the engaging town of Matsumoto and visit Matsumoto Castle, which is one of Japan’s oldest historic castles. After lunch, head onwards to Tōkyō by train, which is both the end point of the Nakasendō Trail and of our tour. Stay at a comfortable Western-style hotel in the city and enjoy a final farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8: Complete the tour in Tōkyō

  • Breakfast

Our tour ends today after breakfast at the hotel in Tōkyō. Your guide will be available to provide assistance and advice for travelling onwards, whether you have homeward flights, or on plan on extending your stay in Japan.

Our first full day of the tour takes us to several key destinations in Kyōto, the ancient capital of Japan. In the morning, we will travel north to Kurama and enjoy a beautiful walk through the Kitayama Mountains from Kurama to Kibune. In the afternoon, we visit the Sanjō bridge, the western end of the Nakasendō Trail, after which you will have some free time to explore the area. Your guide will be close by with recommendations.

Day 3: Hike the Yamanobe-no-michi in Nara

  • 13.6 km / 8.5 mi

  • About 5 hours

  • Negligible

  • Negligible

  • Western-style hotel

  • Breakfast

Travel by train to Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital. Established in 710 and then known as Heijōkyō, Nara abounds in cultural heritage, with many historic treasures and easy access to won­derful nature.

Today we will hike the historic Yamanobe-no-michi trail, an excellent hike along a varied trail before returning to Kyōto and our accommodation for one final evening.

Day 5: Hike from Ō-Tsumago to Nenoue-tōge Pass

  • 18 km / 11.2 mi

  • About 7 hours

  • 725 m / 2,275 ft

  • 645 m / 2,110 ft

  • Ryokan or Japanese-style hotel

  • Breakfast, dinner

A longer walk on the trail today offers a beautiful and varied hike from Ō-Tsumago to Nenoue-tōge Pass, or you may choose the shorter alternative to Nagiso instead. Along the way, we will pass through Tsumago, one of the best-preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendō post towns. From here, the trail heads through small valleys passing forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, through some of the most untouched scenery on the tour. Tonight, enjoy kaiseki-style cuisine and hot spring baths.

A shorter alternative of 1.5 hours (5.2 km / 3.2 mi) from Ō-Tsumago to Nagiso is also possible.

Day 7: Sightsee in Matsumoto and Tōkyō

  • Western-style hotel

  • Breakfast, farewell dinner

Registration:

  • Cost: $3995 

    Deposit $795 

    (2) 50% payments of $1600 (January 31 & July 31, 2027)

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