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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$4,463 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, and challenge yourself on the Usui-toge Pass. The mountain pass has the steepest paths on the Nakasendo trail, but it provides breath-taking views. Immerse yourself in the beautiful nature, discover the fascinating history of local Samurai connections and the post towns, and indulge in the culinary delights. Complete the adventurous trekking and be enlightened with a sense of accomplishment!
Starting from Kyoto, your action-packed four day walking journey covers the best sections of the ancient Nakasendo Trail, descending from a high plateau down to the Kanto plain, 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 ...
Starting from Kyoto, your action-packed four day walking journey covers the best sections of the ancient Nakasendo Trail, descending from a high plateau down to the Kanto plain, 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 533km 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 best hand-picked Japanese inn/ryokan by night in Karuizawa, Tsumago and Kiso-Fukushima. 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 a moderate walk with some gentle ascents and descents.
The package includes 3 nights accommodation, meals as mentioned in the itinerary, local transportation and 4 day guiding services.
Walk Nakasendo and walk into the heart of old Japan.
Departure Dates
Departs daily year round 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.
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.
Luggage Forwarding
Baggage handling is not included in the tour cost, but Japan has a fabulous luggage forwarding service which you can use to send your luggage to your next destination. It will take between 24 and 72 hours to get the luggage to the next point so we recommend preparing an overnight bag when using this service. Luggage can be sent between any two points in Japan and the bell desks or receptions at your hotel will be happy to assist you with arranging this luggage transfer. We can assist you to arrange luggage transfers. The 3 day luggage transfer cost is approx. 4500 - 9000 yen (AUD 60 - 115) depending on the size and the weight of the luggage.
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Walking Distance: 17 km, approx. 5 - 6 hours
Take train from Tokyo to Yokokawa in the morning (at your own arrangement and expense).
Suggested Train
8:04 am Departs at Tokyo Station
9:01 am Arrives at Takasaki Station
9:23 am Departs at Takasaki Station
9:57 am Arrives at Yokokawa Station
After about 2 hours train journey, you arrive at Yokokawa, where your guide awaits.
Start today's challenging walk between Yokokawa and Karuizawa (Usui-toge Pass). The pass on the ancient Tōsandō highway was described as early as the 8th century. Later, the Nakasendō, one of the five routes of the Edo period followed the route through the pass. It was maintained by the Tokugawa shogunate and connected Tokyo to provincial districts.
This pass has the steepest paths and is the highest on the Nakasendo, however, you'll be rewarded with beautiful views of Mount Asama and the mountains of Gunma Prefecture. The top of Usui-toge Pass is a treasure trove of Mother Nature with plants like wasabi being cultivated. And Kumano Shrine is positioned across the Nagano and Gunma prefectural border to look over the safety of travelers coming and going along the Nakasendo.
Usui Lake is just 10 minutes away from the old Nakasendo Route. You can relax while taking in the view of the beautiful lake which is popular with hikers on Abt Road as a famous place for the changing colors. In particular, the autumn leaves of Usui-toge Pass which gave rise to the song “Momiji” (Maples) that has come to symbolise the season in Japan.
The Megane Bridge is Japan's largest arched brick bridge joining the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean.
Tonight you will stay at Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel. From the balcony of your room, take in the panoramic view of majestic Mt. Asama.
Room Style: Western
Bed Type: Twin
Toilet: Ensuite western style
Walking Distance: 6.3 km, approx. 3.5 hours
After breakfast, a private taxi will pick you up from your accommodation and transfer you to Narai, where your guide awaits. Take an optional stroll around Narai post town. You can also find many restaurants in Narai that serve local delicacies such as gohei-mochi (stick rice cakes) and soba (buckwheat noodles).
You will start the walk on the ancient trail between Yabuhara-juku and Narai-juku (the Torii pass to Narai). It used to be the most dangerous path in Nakasendo.
Afterwards, catch the local train for 15 minutes from Yabuhara station to Kiso-Fukushima station, a post town that was known for having one of the only two barrier stations in Nakasendo. Then you'll be transferred to your accommodation in Kiso-Fukushima.
Tonight you will stay at one of the best Japanese traditional guesthouses on the Nakasendo Trail with indoor and outdoor hot springs, surrounded by nature.
Room Style: Japanese
Bed Type: Futon
Bath: Ensuite bath
Walk from Nojiri to Tsumago, 18.4km, 6 hours. Easier walking option: walk from Nojiri to Nagiso, 15.3km, 4-5 hours.
Today you will have an early start. Have an optional leisure stroll in Kiso-Fukushima in the morning. Kiso-Fukushima is a delightful small town on the Nakasendo trail between Nagoya and Matsumoto. Tucked away in the Kiso Valley surrounded by nature, this historical town was one of the key points along the Nakasendo trail. A must-visit is Kiso Fukushima Sekisho, with the remains of the Fukushima Checkpoint located on a hill overlooking the Kiso River.
Your guide will meet you at Kiso-Fukushima station and board a local train for a 30 minute ride to Nojiri. From Nojiri, you walk the Nakasendo Way (known as Yokawa Forest Route) to Tsumago. The trail follows through the forest, descends steeply down the valley, and passes through cedar forests and farmland.
Today's walk concludes in Tsumago (or Nagiso for easier walking option). Tsumago was in its Golden Era during the time when merchants and other noble and prominent people frequently passed through for trade and other formal appointments. In the latter part of 1970, this small town was classified as a Nationally Designated Architectural Preservation Site, thanks to the collective effort of its locals to preserve most of the remaining historical buildings.
Tsumago is located in the southern part of the Kiso Valley. Your accommodation tonight is at Hotel Fukinomori. Surrounded by mountains and forest, the secluded hotel is conducive to relaxation. After a full day trekking the Nakasendo Way there's nothing better than a soothing soak in the hotel's outdoor hot springs in the cypress bathtub, with views of enormous forest. Rooms are Japanese or western style, but unlike many of the ryokans found in Tsumago, all have full en-suite facilities.
Enjoy dinner comprising food grown and produced in the Kiso region, such as the renowned local Kiso Beef and hand kneaded soba (noodles) made from buckwheat from the nearby Kaida Highland.
Room Style: Japanese or Western
Bed Type: Futon or Twin Beds
Toilet: Ensuite Indoor
Walking distance: approx. 8 km, 3 hours
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Nagiso where your guide awaits. Today, you will hike from Tsumago to Magome. Juku post towns like Magome and Tsumago thrived on the passing trade. Daimyo lords and samurai on mandatory biennial trips to the Edo shogunate, pilgrims, monks, merchants, peddlers, entertainers and holidaying folk formed a motley parade.
Magome's and Tsumago’s fortunes fell in the late 1800s. From the 1960s, locals restored their romantic feudal townscapes which continue to lure tourists today. Wires and electric poles, concrete structures and advertising billboards are hidden or banned.
The walk from Tsumago to Magome reveals shrines, waterfalls, bamboo groves, terraced rice paddies, a teahouse rest stop and a forest path with large, rough stones laid in the early 1600s.
You pass through small scratches of villages, some spruced with decorations. In autumn, orange persimmons, vibrant as paper lanterns, hang to dry in rows under eaves.
Your Nakasendo walk finishes at Magome and then ride a local bus to Nakatugawa Station, where you can catch the train to Kyoto via Nagoya.
Daily departure on request. Please contact us to book if you have a group of more than 12 people.
- The departure point is Tokyo- The finishing point is Kyoto or other cities
Day 1 Yokokawa to Karuizawa (Usui-toge Pass)Total Walking Distance: 17 km, approx. 5 - 6 hoursDay 2 Narai to Yabuhara Walk (Torii Pass)Total Walking Distance: 6.3 km, approx. 3.5 hoursDay 3 Nojiri to Tsumago Walk (Yokawa Forest Route)Total Walking Distance: Nojiri to Tsumago: approx. 18.4 km, approx. 6 hours. Elevation at 723 m.Easier walking option: walk from Nojiri to Nagiso, 15.3km, 4-5 hours, then bus to TsumagoDay 4 Tsumago to Magome WalkTotal Walking Distance: 8 km, approx. 3 hours
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.