4 Day Nakasendo Walking Tour

Classic Inn to Inn ✦ 4 days self-guided ✦ Leisurely ✦ From $1555

Walk the Paths of Ancient Japanese Emperors

Step back in time on the Nakasendo Trail, a historic path that once linked Kyoto and Edo-period Tokyo. This four-day self-guided journey leads you through the heart of Japan’s Kiso Valley, where cobbled streets, forested trails, and beautifully preserved post towns bring the Edo era to life. Stroll through villages like Magome, Tsumago, and Narai, where wooden ryokan, charming teahouses, and ancient stone pathways transport you to a bygone era.

But this adventure isn’t just about history—it’s a sensory journey filled with breathtaking mountain views, traditional kaiseki feasts, and rejuvenating soaks in onsen hot springs. Whether admiring exquisite handcrafted lacquerware in Kiso-Hirasawa or taking in the dramatic landscapes along the Torii-tōge Pass, every step of this trek unveils the timeless beauty of rural Japan. With well-marked trails, detailed maps, and seamless train connections, all you have to do is walk, explore, and immerse yourself in Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

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4 Day Nakasendo Walking Tour
rides: 30 to 65 kms
sleep: boutique inns
eat: best regional cuisine

Go Private
This tour is only available as a Private Date. Spring & Fall are the best for walking.

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Download a detailed itinerary with route profiles & more, to read and share with friends.

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Japan walking tour day by day details

day 1: Magome to Tsumago – A Journey Through Time

Scenic hike over Magome-tōge Pass
Explore the Edo-era streets of Tsumago
Stay in a cozy, family-run minshuku

Your adventure begins with a scenic train and bus ride to Magome, a picturesque post town where traditional wooden buildings line stone-paved streets. From here, set off on a gentle hike over the Magome-tōge Pass to Tsumago, one of the best-preserved post towns on the Nakasendo. Settle into a charming minshuku for the night, where a home-cooked Japanese dinner and an evening stroll through lantern-lit streets await.
Walk: 3 hours, Land: hilly
Eat: Dinner
Sleep: Minshuku*

day 2: Tsumago to Nojiri – Forest Trails & Onsen Retreats

Hike through bamboo and cedar forests
Discover the historic town of Kiso-Fukushima
Unwind at a traditional onsen ryokan

Today’s trail winds through tranquil valleys, passing towering cedar groves and small rural hamlets. Opt for the full-day hike to Nojiri or take a shorter alternative to Nagiso. In the afternoon, travel by train to Kiso-Fukushima, a historic checkpoint town, where you’ll relax in an onsen ryokan, soaking in mineral-rich waters before indulging in a beautifully prepared kaiseki dinner.
Walk: 6 hours, Land: hilly
Eat: Breakfast, Dinner
Sleep: Onsen Ryokan*

day 3: Yabuhara to Narai – Crossing the Torii-tōge Pass

Trek the scenic Torii-tōge Pass
Stroll the beautifully preserved streets of Narai
Visit Kiso-Hirasawa’s famous lacquerware artisans

A short train ride brings you to Yabuhara, the starting point for today’s hike over the Torii-tōge Pass. As you descend into Narai, you’ll step into another world—its Edo-era buildings, merchant houses, and quiet alleys create a captivating atmosphere. From here, continue to Kiso-Hirasawa, known for its exquisite handcrafted lacquerware, before retiring to a traditional inn for another evening of warm hospitality and fine dining.
Walk: 4 hours, Land: hilly
Eat: Breakfast, Dinner
Sleep: Minshuku*

day 4: Matsumoto Castle & Departure to Kyoto or Tokyo

Explore Japan’s oldest surviving castle
Wander through historic Matsumoto
Return to Kyoto or Tokyo via bullet train

Begin the day with a visit to Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure and one of Japan’s few remaining original castles. Take time to explore the city’s historic streets and sample local specialties before boarding the train back to Kyoto or Tokyo. As your journey comes to an end, take with you memories of misty mountain trails, timeless villages, and the quiet beauty of Japan’s Nakasendo Trail.
Explore: Matsumoto Castle, Travel: train to Tokyo
Eat: Breakfast

*The inns in the villages are very small with just a few rooms. The names of inns available for your trip will be included in your confirmation information.

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Whatcha gonna get

Handpicked lodges, double occupancy
Daily breakfast*
Dinners featuring fine local cuisine*
Comprehensive route notes
Topographic maps
Local support by phone
Train and bus travel*

*as noted in itinerary

note: Daily transfer of luggage is not included, but can be arranged once on the trail.

Getting there

Guests walking can select to start from either Kyoto or Tokyo. Train tickets via either Kyoto or Tokyo are included, but no airport transfers within either city.

Guests should plan their flights to arrive in Japan the day before (or earlier) and onward travel the day after your walking trip ends.

Tokyo airports: Narita Airport code: NRT
Haneda Airport code: HND
Local Time: GMT+9

Travel Tip: Kyoto can be reached easiest by flying to Osaka Kansai (KIX), then by train to Kyoto.

Documents Please

Adventure awaits — but don't forget your passport! Depending on your nationality, a visa might also be needed, so check in with the nearest Japan embassy to keep your journey hassle-free.

Good Eats

Always ranked in the top ten of cuisines worldwide, Japanese food is a delight both visually and for its taste. Dinners at the minshukus and ryokan on this tour are traditional Kaiseki Ryori, with many small dishes of vegetables, fish, meats and more.

A typical dinner could consist of: shiizakana (appetizers served with Japanese sake),mukouzuke (sashimi – slices of raw fish), kuchitori (a small side dish), suimono (a soup), nimono (simmered vegetables), kounomono (Japanese pickles), yakimono (grilled fish) and more.

Good Sleep

Our Nakasendo trip features a number of nights in traditional, historic inns either minshuku or ryokan. These inns orginated back in the era of when the emperors and their courts walked from palace to palace and these inns sprung up along the trails to accommodate the parties.

Arriving at a ryokan is an experience in itself. The hostess, okami , dressed in a kimono, comes to welcome the guests. Once you take your shoes off , put on the slippers made available at the entrance. An employee, still in a kimono, then comes to take over from the okami and accompany the customers to their room.