The Nakasendo Way in winter | World Expeditions

Pilgrim enjoying a little snow along the Kumano Kodo | Jaclyn Lofts

Jizo statues on the Nakasendo Way | World Expeditions

Snowy streets on our winter Nakasendo walk | World Expeditions

Winter Nakasendo Trail

8 Days from

$3524 USD

Trip Code: WNW

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement (7 nights - subject to availability)

$360 USD

Duration

8 Days

Activities

5 day walks

Accommodation

3 nights traditional inn
2 nights ryokan
2 nights hotel

Meals

7 Dinners
2 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

3 / 10

Introductory

Nakasendo Way Guided Walking Trip highlights

Walk the most scenic sections of the Nakasendo Way in the peaceful beauty of winter, away from the crowds
Gain cultural insight from your expert bilingual guide as Edo-era post towns come to life through stories of samurai and seasonal folklore
Explore preserved villages such as Magome, Tsumago and Narai with their historic wooden houses and lantern-lit streets
Snowshoe through quiet winter landscapes when snowfall deepens, a unique way to follow Japan’s ancient highway
Stay in welcoming, family-run ryokan inns with warm hospitality, onsen hot springs and seasonal Japanese cuisine

Overview

Walk Japan’s ancient Nakasendo Way in the serene beauty of winter, guided through cedar forests, snowy passes and Edo-period post towns like Magome and Tsumago. Each day blends light walking (1–3 hours) with cultural depth, from snowshoeing quiet trails to soaking in traditional onsen.

Stay in cosy, family-run ryokan inns, enjoy regional cuisine, and explore highlights such as Matsumoto Castle and Tokyo’s Nihonbashi Bridge. This is a peaceful, immersive journey into Japan’s winter landscapes, history and hospitality.

Itinerary

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Arrive in Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heart and the starting point of your winter Nakasendo adventure. Make your own way to the group hotel before meeting your local guide and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.

Meals: D

This morning we travel by train to Nakatsugawa, one of the old post towns on the Nakasendo Trail. The town’s main street still reflects its Edo-period heritage, with traditional sake shops, wooden storehouses and family run restaurants preserved in time. From here, we begin our first walk, following the ancient route toward Ochiai. The path ascends gently through stands of cedar forest, where sections of original cobblestones from the Edo era remain intact beneath the winter light. Over the coming days, we’ll explore the best-preserved portions of the Nakasendo Trail through quiet hamlets and mountain villages, their rooftops often edged with snow. Tonight’s accommodation is a family-run inn in Magome, where a warm welcome, home-cooked meal and traditional comforts await.

Meals: B,L,D

Today’s walk leads us from Magome to Tsumago, along one of the most scenic stretches of the Nakasendo Way. The trail climbs gently over the Magome-toge Pass, On clear days, the views across the Kiso Valley are superb, and the snow-dusted forests and rustic teahouses make this one of the most photogenic days of the journey. After arriving in Tsumago, we’ll have time for lunch and wander through its beautifully preserved main street, lined with traditional wooden houses and small craft shops. Don’t miss a taste of gohei moch - skewered sticky rice coated in a sweet blend of miso, sesame and walnuts. Tsumago is often described as a living museum, still home to families whose roots here stretch back generations. Tonight we stay in Tsumago or nearby O-Tsumago at a family-run inn that radiates warmth, character and history.

Meals: B,D

This morning we take time to further explore Tsumago, visiting the Wakihonjin Museum, a beautifully preserved 19th century inn once used by high ranking officials travelling along the Nakasendo. After lunch, we set out on a short, leisurely walk from Tsumago to Nagiso, following quiet country lanes lined with stone walls and small farms. From Nagiso, we board a local train for the brief journey to Kiso-Fukushima, a charming post town that served as an important checkpoint on the Nakasendo Trail. On arrival, there’s time for a stroll through the town before settling into our comfortable ryokan for the night. This traditional inn is known for its wonderful regional cuisine and a soak in the natural thermal baths (onsen) offers a quiet moment to reflect on the journey so far. Walk: 4km/3 miles (1hour)

Meals: B,D

Today we continue along the Nakasendo Trail, walking from Yabuhara to Narai across the Torii-toge Pass. This is one of the most scenic and rewarding sections of the journey, often blanketed in the deepest snow of the trip. When conditions allow, we’ll strap on snowshoes to make the crossing, an unforgettable way to experience the stillness of the winter forest. The path winds gently uphill through quiet stands of cedar and pine before descending toward the beautifully preserved village of Narai, known as the “Town of a Thousand Houses.” We arrive in time to explore the atmospheric streets and enjoy lunch. Tonight’s accommodation is in Narai, at a welcoming family run inn, to relax after a memorable day in Japan’s snow country.

Meals: B,D

This morning we take a gentle walk from Narai to Kiso-Hirasawa, marking our final stretch on the Nakasendo Way. The path meanders through quiet hamlets and farmland before reaching Kiso-Hirasawa, a village celebrated for its exquisite lacquerware craftsmanship. If time allows, we may visit a local workshop to watch artisans at work, continuing a tradition passed down for centuries. From here, a short train ride brings us to Matsumoto, a charming castle town framed by the peaks of Japan’s Central Alps. We’ll visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s oldest surviving fortresses and a designated National Treasure, admired for its striking black lacquered walls and elegant wooden interiors. As evening approaches, we check in to our onsen lodging, where a soak in the thermal baths provides the perfect way to unwind after days of winter walking.

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, we depart our onsen accommodation and board the train to Tokyo, watching as the snowy mountain landscapes give way to Japan’s modern capital. Upon arrival, we set out on a half-day walking tour that reconnects us with the history of our journey. At Nihonbashi Bridge, the official starting point of the Nakasendo Trail, we stand where travellers once began their long trek to Kyoto. The bridge also marked the beginning of Japan’s five great highways, a meeting place of people and cultures from every corner of the country. Later, we check in to our comfortable hotel and enjoy a final evening together in Tokyo.

Meals: B,D

our journey from Japan’s snow-covered heartland to its vibrant capital concludes after breakfast in Tokyo.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

English speaking local guide
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 7 dinners
7 nights in hotels and Japanese style inns on a twinshare basis
Forwarding of 1 item of luggage on 4 occasions.
Rental gear (a pair of snowshoes, over gloves, gaiters, and walking poles)
Local transportation as listed in itinerary
Sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary

Not included

International & domestic airfares, visa and travel insurance (compulsory)
Airport transfers
Meals and beverages not indicated in the program
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol, tips, etc
Luggage transfers not indicated in the program, payable direct at your own cost
Single room supplement for solo travellers at hotels