This longer, linear hike of the Nakasendo Trail reveals more hidden highlights. Stay in traditional Japanese inns in Tsumago, the onsen town of Kiso-Fukushima, and historic Narai as you enjoy hikes of 1 to 6 hours.
Nakasendo self-guided walking 4 days
(subject to change until the booking has been finalized)
Day 1 Hike from Magome to Tsumago
We supply train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. Walk over Magome Pass to Tsumago, one of the best-preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendo post-towns. Spend the night at a family-run Minshuku in Tsumago or the nearby hamlet of O-Tsumago, with a delicious home-cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast included. After dinner, enjoy a stroll through the village streets in the magical quiet of the evening, wearing the yukata gown supplied by your inn.
Walking distance: 8.3km / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 326m / 1,069 feet of ascent and 430m / 1,410 feet of descent
Time required: About 3 hours
Accommodation: Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse)
Meals: Dinner
Typical Accommodation
Daikichi Minshuku
Located in the post-town of Tsumago, Daikichi is run by three generations of the same family. We use a range of family-run Minshuku in the villages of Tsumago and O-Tsumago
Day 2 Hike from Tsumago to Nojiri
The longest day on the trail is a beautiful and varied hike from Tsumago to Nojiri. Or choose the shorter alternative to Nagiso instead. The trail travels through small valleys and past forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, through some of the least-developed scenery on the tour. Continue by train to Kiso-Fukushima. Stay at a lovely hot-spring Ryokan set in a peaceful valley above the town. Complimentary transfer from the station is provided by the Ryokan. The Ryokan has lovely indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths.
Walking distance: 18.4km/ 11.5 miles
Elevation gain: 723m / 2,275 feet of ascent and 644m / 2,112 feet of descent
Time required: About 6 hours
We offer a shorter alternative of 1 hour (3.7km / 2.3 miles). You can choose which option you prefer on the day – no need to decide in advance!
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 Hike from Yabuhara to Narai
The Ryokan will drive you back to Kiso-Fukushima after breakfast. We supply train tickets for the short journey from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara, starting point for the hike over the Torii pass to Narai. Explore this atmospheric village before check-in at your family-run inn in the heart of the village. Your hosts will serve a home-cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast.
Walking distance: 6.2km / 3.9 miles
Elevation gain: 344m / 1,128 feet of ascent and 270m / 885 feet of descent
Time required: About 3 hours
In Kiso-Fukushima we offer an optional, fairly strenuous, circular walk to a local waterfall. The circular walk is 7km / 4.3 miles with 632m / 2,075 feet of ascent, 637m / 2,090 feet of descent and takes 2-3 hours. You can take this walk in the morning, before heading onwards to Yabuhara.
Accommodation: Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Typical Accommodation
Iseya
One of several family-run Minshuku we use in the village of Narai. The building is a traditional merchant house.
Day 4 Hike from Narai to Hirasawa
After breakfast, walk the short distance to the small town of Kiso-Hirasawa, famous for its lacquerware. There are many small shops selling beautifully-crafted tableware and furniture. Board a train at Kiso-Hirasawa station for your onward journey to Kyoto or to Tokyo, arriving mid-afternoon. If you are heading to Tokyo, you have the option to break your journey in Matsumoto to visit the famous castle (a small additional train fare is payable locally).
Walking distance: 2.5km / 1.6 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 1 hour
Meals: Breakfast
