Nakasendo Self Guided Hiking

Our new Self Guided Tours offer you the opportunity to explore some of the most remote and mystical areas of Japan. The Kii Peninsula is the site of the three Grand Shrines of Kumano, south of Kyoto and Osaka. These walking tours take you along the old pilgrimage route through the Peninsula, along routes with UNESCO World Heritage Listed Status. On your tour you will enjoy local hospitality, explore the untouched trails, visit Shrines, and relax in local hot springs.

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What’s included in the tour

Accommodation

4 nights traditional Japanese accommodation with local breakfast

Meals

4 x local Dinners

Transport

Train Tickets (Tokyo – Nakatsugawa, Nojiri – Kiso-Fukusima, Kiso-Fukushima – Yabuhara, Kiso-Hirasawa – Matsumoto, Matsumoto – Karuizawa/Komoro, Yokokawa – Takasaki, Takasaki – Tokyo)

Tour Highlights

Minshuku

Enjoy an overnight stay in a family run Minshuku

Tori Pass

Hike over the Tori Pass to Naria

Usui-toge Pass

Travel along the Usui-toge Pass along one of the most beautiful sections of the Trail

Tour Map & Dates

Departure Dates

2024: Daily Departure

Or Call Us On:

AU: 1300 842 688

NZ: 08 0084 2688

Tour Itinerary

Travel by rail and Bullet Train to Nakatsugawa, where you will board a local bus to Magome. Start your hike over the Magome Pass to Tsumago, a well preserved Nakasendo post-town. Stay overnight in a family-run Minshuku and enjoy a delicious home cooked Japanese dinner. In the evening you can explore the village streets wearing the Yukata gown supplied by your inn. Walking distance: 8.3km (3hrs) Elevation gain: 326m ascent/430m descent

After breakfast, continue on your journey through the valleys and bamboo forests to Nojiri. You will then travel by train to Kiso-Fukushima where you will be transferred to a beautiful hot spring Ryokan and can enjoy the indoor and outdoor hot spring baths. Walking distance: 18.4km (6hrs) Elevation gain: 723m ascent/644m descent *A shorter walking option is available today – 3.7km/1hr. This can be decided on the day.

Return to Kiso-Fukushima after breakfast and travel by train to Yabuhara. Hike over the Torii Pass to Narai and explore the village before checking in to your family-run inn in the heart of the village. Enjoy a home cooked Japanese dinner. Walking distance: 6.2km (3hrs) Elevation gain: 344m ascent/270m descent *Optional activity – active paced walk to a local waterfall in Kiso-Fukushima before transferring to Yabuhara (7km/2-3hrs).

After a local breakfast, take a short walk to Kiso-Hirasawa where you will travel by train to Matsumoto. You can explore famous Matsumoto Castle before continuing by rail to Karuizawa or Komoro. Walking distance: 2.5km (1hr) Elevation gain: negligible

Your final walk will take you on the Nakasendo Trail from Karuizawa to Yokokawa. Travel along the Usui-toge Pass along one of the most beautiful sections of the Trail. In Yokokawa you will travel by local train to Takasaki, then transfer by Bullet Train to Tokyo. Walking distance: 16.7km (5-6hrs) Elevation gain: 372m ascent/862m descent *A shorter walking option is available today by an additional taxi ride in the morning – 13.7km. This can be decided on the day.