Nakasendo Way Self-Guided Walk

Step back in time along this self-guided walk through samurai-era villages, forested mountain trails and preserved towns that once linked Kyoto and Tokyo.

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12 reviews

5 Days from

$2190 USD

Trip Code: NT5

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Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Nakasendo Way Self-Guided - Peak Season Surcharge

$270 USD

Nakasendo Way Self-Guided - Single Supplement

$500 USD

Nakasendo Way Self Guided Walking Trip highlights

Experience the joy of self-guided travel with waymarked trails, luggage transfers and detailed route notes

Walk forested trails and cobbled paths between beautifully preserved Edo-period post towns like Magome, Tsumago and Nara

Hike scenic mountain passes, valleys and villages with complete flexibility to stop and linger where the views inspire

Explore 16th century Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s oldest surviving castles

Stay in traditional Japanese inns, wearing yukata robes and enjoying home-cooked meals

Overview

Walk the Nakasendo Way, one of Japan’s most iconic ancient trails, once used by samurai and merchants journeying between Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo). This self-guided walk offers travellers the freedom to explore at their own pace, with all logistics expertly arranged in advance.

The route winds through forested hills, rice paddies and quiet village paths, linking beautifully preserved Edo-period post towns - staging points for travellers during Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868), when movement was strictly controlled and travel was done on foot. Towns like Magome and Tsumago still retain their historic character, offering a rare glimpse into Japan’s feudal past.

Travelling self-guided means setting your own rhythm. Pause where you wish, with the reassurance of clear route notes and 24/7 local support. Each night, stay in traditional Minshuku guesthouses, where warm hospitality and regional, home-cooked meals bring the journey to life.

With seasonal highlights ranging from cherry blossoms in spring (March to May) to vivid autumn leaves (September to November), the Nakasendo Way reveals Japan’s natural beauty in every step. Backed by decades of experience designing walking trips in Japan, we take care of the details – so you can savour the walk.

Itinerary

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We supply train tickets for your journey from Kyoto or from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Nagoya. Upon arriving at Nakatsugawa by train, you can leave your bags at the Tourist Information Centre, allowing you to travel light on the bus journey to Magome (payable direct at your own cost - approx JPY 570, subject to change). After the short journey to Magome you'll be met by a driver who will transfer your luggage to your evening's accommodation. From here you walk over the Magome Pass to Tsumago, one of the best-preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendo post-towns. Tonight you will spend the night at a family-run Minshuku in Tsumago or the nearby hamlet of O-Tsumago, with a delicious home-cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast included. After dinner, enjoy a stroll though the village streets in the magical quiet of the evening, wearing the yukata gown supplied by your inn. Walking distance: 8.3km / 5.2 miles Elevation gain: 326m / 1069 feet of ascent and 430m / 1410 feet of descent Time required: ~3hrs Note: luggage transfer from Magome included Accommodation: Minshuku (Family-run Guesthouse)

Meals: D

The longest day on the Nakasendo Way trail is a beautiful and varied hike from Tsumago to Nojiri. Or perhaps you would prefer to choose the shorter alternative to Nagiso instead. The trail travels through small valleys and past forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, through some of the least-developed scenery on the tour. After your walk you continue by train to Kiso-Fukushima (tickets provided). Tonight enjoy staying at a lovely hot-spring ryokan in the Kiso-Fukusima area. For accommodations on the outskirts of the town a complimentary transfer from the station is provided by the Ryokan. The Ryokan has lovely hot-spring baths. Walking distance: 18.4km / 11.5 miles Elevation gain: 723m / 2275 feet of ascent and 644m /2112 feet of descent Time required: ~6hrs We offer a shorter alternative of 1 hour (3.7km / 2.3miles). You can choose which option you prefer on the day - no need to decide in advance. Note: please leave your luggage for transfer at the front desk of your accommodation by 08:30am Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn)

Meals: B,D

We supply train tickets for the short journey from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara, the starting point for the hike over the Torii Pass to Narai. Explore this atmospheric village before you continue on today’s journey to the small town of KisoHirasawa, famous for its lacquerware. There are many small shops selling beautifully crafted tableware and furniture. From Kiso-Hirasawa, transfer by train to the castle town of Matsumoto for your overnight stay. Your hosts will serve a home-cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast. Walking distance: 6.2km / 3.9 miles Elevation gain: 344m / 1128 feet of ascent and 270m / 885 feet of descent Time required: ~3hrs In Kiso-Fukushima there is an optional, fairly strenuous, circular walk to a local waterfall. The circular walk is 7km / 4.3 miles with 632m / 2075 feet of ascent, 637m / 2090 feet of descent and takes 2-3 hours. You can take this walk in the morning, before heading onwards to Yabuhara. Note: please leave your bags at the front desk of your accommodation by 08:30am Accommodation: A Japanese Inn, Matsumoto.

Meals: B,D

After breakfast, you will have time dedicated to sightseeing around Matsumoto. Highly recommended is a visit to Matsumoto Castle, one of only 12 castles in Japan that has retained its original interior and exterior structures. When you are finished in Matsumoto, you will travel by train to your final stop for your onward journey to Karuizawa or Komoro for your final overnight stay. Both locations have lovely inns with a real sense of history and fine Japanese baths. Arrive at your accommodation in time for a wonderful dinner featuring local produce. Walking distance: 2.5km / 1.6 miles Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent Time required: ~1hr Note: Your accommodation will assist you to book luggage transfers (payable direct) to your post tour accommodation. You will need to carry an overnight bag today as you will not have access to your main luggage until the end of day 5. Accommodation: Ryokan - traditional inn

Meals: B,D

After breakfast, your final walk on the Nakasendo Trail is from Karuizawa to Yokokawa. Leaving Karuizawa, the trail takes you over the Usui-toge Pass and down a gentle descent along one of the most beautiful sections of the Nakasendo, and certainly the least-developed. From Yokokawa, board the local train to Takasaki and change there for your ride on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Tokyo. The train journey takes around two hours and you will arrive in Tokyo in the late afternoon or early evening. Walking distance: 16.7km / 10 miles Elevation gain: 372m / 1220 feet of ascent and 862m / 2828 feet of descent Time required: ~6hrs NOTE - The walk can be shortened by 3.3km / 2 miles by a taxi ride at the start of the day (payable direct at your own cost).

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

What’s included?

Included

4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
2 nights traditional minshuku on twinshare basis
2 nights ryokan on twinshare basis
Local transportation as listed in itinerary
Information pack including route notes and topographical maps per room booked
Daily luggage transfers up to Matsumoto on day 3
Local support by telephone

Not included

International airfare, visa and travel insurance (compulsory)
Meals and beverages not indicated in the program
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc
Luggage transfer from Matsumoto (day 4) payable direct at your own cost
Local bus fare from Nakatsugawa to Magome on day 1 (payable direct at your own cost - approx JPY 570, subject to change)

Nakasendo Way Self-Guided Walk

$2190 USD