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All prices are quoted in approx. USD amount based on conversion rate. You will need to pay in AUD for a total amount of A$3,478 by EFT or Credit Card. Your bank may have a different conversion rate and currency conversion fee which we do not have control over.
Walk the Nakasendo Trail village to village over 4 days with a local guide, immerse yourself in the Kiso Valley's beautiful nature, discover the fascinating history of local Samurai connections and the post towns, and indulge in the Kiso region's culinary delights. This is an ideal relaxing walking holiday for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
Starting from Tokyo, your action-packed four day walking journey covers the best sections of the ancient Nakasendo Trail, passing the picturesque Kiso Valley known for its rural villages and natural scenery, and visiting the exquisitely-preserved post towns of Magome, Tsumago and Narai. Stretching all the way from Tokyo to Kyoto, the 533 km Nakasendo trail is jam-packed with Japanese traditional culture, architecture, shops and ambiance. Walking the Nakasendo Trail from village to village is a ...
Starting from Tokyo, your action-packed four day walking journey covers the best sections of the ancient Nakasendo Trail, passing the picturesque Kiso Valley known for its rural villages and natural scenery, and visiting the exquisitely-preserved post towns of Magome, Tsumago and Narai. Stretching all the way from Tokyo to Kyoto, the 533 km Nakasendo trail is jam-packed with Japanese traditional culture, architecture, shops and ambiance. Walking the Nakasendo Trail from village to village is a great way to sample Japan's rural scenery.
Walk the original route by day, and stay at the hand-picked best Japanese ryokans by night. All rooms have private toilets for your comfort. You'll have a chance to try some of the local specialties sourced from the mountains such as buckwheat, honey and fresh wasabi.
Mixed with paved village paths and unpaved forested/mountain trails, the Nakasendo Trail is an easy to moderate walk with some gentle ascents and descents.
The package includes 3 nights accommodation, meals as mentioned in the itinerary, all train tickets as well as luggage transfer between Kiso-Fukushima and Narai.
Walking the Nakasendo, walking in the heart of old Japan.
Departure Dates
Departs daily on request
The itinerary departs from Tokyo and finishes in Kyoto. Reverse itinerary can be arranged and offered. Departs/Finishes in Tokyo, and departs/finishes in Kyoto can also be arranged. Please contact us.
Luggage Forwarding
One luggage shuttle between Kiso-Fukushima and Narai is included in the package.
Dates or itinerary don't fit? We are specialising in bespoke "tailor-made" luxury or private journeys. Please contact us for a "tailor-made" itinerary for your perfect adventure.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
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Today you will leave the bustling capital behind and will make your way to Kiso-Fukushima, the gateway to the Nakasendo Way.
Make your own way to Tokyo station, where you pick up train ticket for your journey to Kiso-Fukushima. You will take the Shinkansen to Nagano, where you will change to a limited express train for Kiso-Fukushima. Journey time is around 3.5 hours total.
The Kiso Valley is located in Nagano Prefecture, and runs alongside the mountains of the Central Alps. An ancient 70-km trade route called the Kisoji was developed along the valley and served as a very important means of commerce in the area. The Kisoji became even more important from the beginning of the Edo Period, when it was amalgamated with other routes in the formation of the 500-km-long Nakasendo.
The Nakasendo ("path through mountains") was one of the two means of transportation between Edo and Kyoto. It contrasted with the other principal transportation route of the time, the Tokaido, which ran along the sea shore. Because of restrictions by the shogunate, travelers were almost always forced to make their trips on foot. As a result, "post towns" developed every few kilometers to provide travelers with places to rest, eat, and find nightly accommodation during their arduous journey. Along the Kiso Valley, a few post towns, particularly Magome, Tsumago and Narai, have been preserved to look as they did when they served travelers of the Nakasendo. Visitors are able to enjoy the stone paths and wooden buildings of a bygone era.
Upon arrival at Kiso-Fukushima, make your own way to your hotel (it is a 5 minute taxi ride or an easy 15 minute walk). You are free to spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. You will stay at Onyado Tsutaya, an over 320 years old inn located on the Nakasendo Trail. It has a long history of easing guests' mind. Its natural hot springs originate from the sacred mountain, Ontake. Enjoy the tranquility of the surrounding and soak in the open air hot spring with a nice view of the Kiso River.
Enjoy local cuisine (Kyoh-oh cuisine Ogottuo) passed down from their ancestors. The seasonal ingredients are harvested in Kiso.
Room Style: Japanese Style
Bed Type: Futon
Toilet: Ensuite Western style
Walking distance: approx. 8 km
Then your guide will take you to the trail and walk from Magome to Tsumago approx. 8 km. The trail is a little steep at first, but it evens out quickly and the rest slopes away gently down to Tsumago. There are plenty of rest stops and toilets along the way (some even with free WiFi!) As you make your way through the forest, you’ll be treated to cascading waterfalls and beautiful mountain vistas peeking through the trees.
At the end of the walk, your reward is the picture perfect town of Tsumago. The houses here are all over 200 years old and still house many residents to this day. Enjoy the feeling of stepping back in time as you explore this pretty town.
Afternoon, a private transfer will be waiting to drive you and your guide return to your accommodation in Kiso-Fukushima, a journey which takes just under an hour. Another delicious Japanese-style dinner is included at your ryokan tonight.
Walking distance: approx. 6.3 km
This morning, have your luggage be ready to be transferred in hotel lobby. Make your own way to Kiso-Fukushima station again where a guide will meet you at 9.00 am for some sightseeing in this pretty town. You'll first visit the Yamamura Residence, former home of the Owari clan's leader Yamamura and overseer of the Kiso-Fukushima area. Today, his house is an interesting museum chronicling upper class life in Kiso-Fukushima in the past. Next you'll visit the lovely Kozenji Temple, home to Asia's largest dry rock garden. Its beauty rivals even that of some of the dry rock gardens found across Kyoto. Finally, you’ll head to the Fukushima Sekisho-Ato, a 270 year-old immigration office.
After your morning of sightseeing, you and your guide will return to Kiso-Fukushima station and will take a short limited express train to the town of Yabuhara, from where you'll pick up the hiking route to the Torii Pass through to a small village named Narai. Today's walk is a little more challenging. It is 8 km in length but much of it is a steep uphill climb. There are less rest points and facilities along the way, so we would encourage you to stock up on drinks and use the toilets at Yabuhara Station before you set off on your journey.
The end of the hike will bring you to the pretty town of Narai, which is even more beautifully preserved than Tsumago due to its highly remote location. You will be staying here tonight, so once you arrive in the village your guide will assist you with checking into your accommodation and then will leave you to enjoy the town at your leisure.
Your accommodation tonight is at the traditional inn Iseya, founded in 1818 (the late Edo era) as a small wholesale store. The building has unique architectural features and still carries the feeling of the late Edo period, allowing you to see the representative architectural style of Narai-juku.
A delicious Japanese meal will be served at your accommodation this evening and we recommend that you take advantage of the warm baths at your ryokan, to ease your tired legs, too!
Bath: Shared bath
Toilet: Shared toilet
Say goodbye to the mountains of the Kiso Valley. You will be provided with tickets to make the journey to Kyoto (if you are heading to a different destination, please let us know and we can make alternate arrangements).
You will take a local train from Narai to Shiojiri before picking up the limited express train to Nagoya and then the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Kyoto. Total journey time is around 3 hours. Tour ends.
This is a must-see destination in Japan. Kyoto is the nation's former capital and was the residence of the emperor from 794 until 1868. With 2,000 religious buildings, including 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and associated architecture, it is one of the best-preserved cities in Japan and has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kyoto represents the "Japan of old" and beyond the high-rise skyscrapers built as a monument to progress, the real monument to Japan’s historical and cultural past can be found in the city’s narrow alleyways where tea houses abound and kimono-clad geisha hurry from elegant function to function.
Daily departure on request. Please contact us to book if you have a group of more than 12 people.
- The departure point is Tokyo station- The finishing point is Kyoto station
Day 1Tokyo to Kiso-Fukushima by train (around 3.5 hours). Train ticket included.Day 2: Magome to Tsumago guided Walk approx. 8 km. Local bus/train tickets and one private transfer included.- Magome-juku to Magome-toge Pass: approx. 2.2 km, 1 hour. Elevation at 620 m- Magometoge Pass to Otaki & Mtaki Fall: approx. 2.5 km, 50 mins. Elevation at 801 m- Metaki Falls to Tsumago-juku: approx. 3.3 km, 1 hour. Elevation at 430 mDay 3: Yabuhara to Narai guided walk approx. 6.3 km. Local bus/train tickets and one private transfer included.- Sightseeing in Kiso-Fukushima- Yubahara to Narai (Torii Pass)Day 4:- Depart from Narai to Kyoto by train (around 3 hours). Train ticket included.
Japan's weather and climate features four distinct seasons.Spring is from March to May. It's perhaps one of the very best times to visit Japan as temperatures are pleasantly warm without being too hot, with daytime temperatures ranging between 21°C to 26°C. The country is ablaze with beautiful white and pink cherry blossom and plenty festivals to enjoy.Summer is from June to August and the country experiences a three to four-week rainy season. It is hot and humid during this time and temperatures are often in the high 30’s. If you plan on visiting Japan during the summer weather, northern areas such as Hokkaido or the mountains of Tohoku or Chubu are the most comfortable places to escape the heat.Autumn is from September to November and is characterised by light breezes and cooler temperatures of around 8-10°C. It is also a wonderful time to visit Japan. The country turns into a haven of red and scarlet leaves which contrast strikingly against the deep blue clear skies and almost as impressive as the stunning cherry blossoms.Winter is from December to February. It is a magical time to visit as the landscape is turned white with snow. It's the perfect time to go skiing or check out the hot springs, especially venture to the ski slopes of Hokkaido or Nagano. It's Okinawa is a great place to visit during the winter as it is not quite as cold as the rest of Japan’s weather.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.