Nakasendo and the Kiso Valley

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8 Days

From

$2966

Nakasendo and the Kiso Valley

8 Days Starting in Kyoto, Japan and ending in Tokyo, Japan

Visiting: Kyoto, Kurama-dera Temple, Kifune Shrine, Miwa, Tenri, Magome-juku, Tsumago-juku, Nojiri Station, Kiso-Fukushima Station, Yabuhara, Narai-juku, 浅間温泉, Matsumoto, Tokyo

Tour operator:

Oku Japan

Tour code:

158

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 10

Physical rating:

Low, Active

Age range:

18-80

Special diets catered:

Request on booking

Tour operated in:

English

From:

$2966 (USD)

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Tour Overview

The Nakasendo 'Road through the Central Mountains' was a key route in feudal Japan's network of highways. Merchants and Travellers moving between Tokyo and Kyoto spent multiple days to travel the Nakasendo, staying in Juku post towns on each evening. A key section of the original route in the Kiso Valley region retains much of the nature and character of this historically significant period of Japan's history, enabling you to walk from village-to-village along forested trails, overnighting in traditional inns, with excellent local cuisine and baths. Our 8-day guided Nakasendo tour spends two nights in Kyoto, where the trail begins, three days of excellent walking along the Nakasendo trail, before ending in Tokyo. The time in Kyoto also takes in a side-trip to an excellent hike in nearby Nara before heading to the Kiso Valley. By day we will walk along the ancient route as it passes through beautifully-preserved villages along a gentle path, and by evening we will stay in traditional country inns enjoying exquisite regional cuisine prepared from the freshest ingredients, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts. Enjoy bathing in hot spring water after a day on the trails!

Highlights

Enjoy the key walks and villages along the old Nakasendo Trail
Experience thermal Onsen baths at multiple hot-spring Ryokan inns
Stay a charming family-run Minshuku inn, offering excellent Omotenashi service
Visit Tsumago, Magome and Narai; three lovingly maintained historic villages along the trail
Enjoy walking in historic Kyoto and Nara with your experienced bi-lingual guide
Experience a Bullet Train journey from Kyoto

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Meet In Kyoto To Begin The Tour

Location: Kyoto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo or similar

Meals Included: Dinner

Meet your guide and the other group members at the tour hotel in central Kyoto in the evening. The guide will be on hand to provide advice on local restaurants.

Day 2 : A Day Of Sightseeing In Kyoto, Hiking From Kurama To Kibune

Location: Kyoto, Kurama-dera Temple, Kifune Shrine

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our first full day of the tour takes in a number of key destinations in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan.

There is a guided half-day walking tour this morning, where we first visit the Sanjo-ohashi Bridge, the western end of the Nakasendo Trail.

From here, we will travel north to Kurama and enjoy a gentle walk through the Kitayama Mountains from Kurama to Kibune.

Walking distance: 4km / 2.5 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours walking

Day 3 : Hike The Yamanobe No Michi In Nara

Location: Kyoto, Miwa, Tenri, Kyoto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Travel by train to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital. Established in 710 and then known as Heijo, Nara abounds in cultural heritage, with many historic treasures and easy access to wonderful nature.

Today we will hike the historic Yamanobe no Michi trail. Our first walk is an excellent hike along the varied trail before returning to Kyoto and our accommodation for one final evening.

Walking distance: 16km / 10 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 5 hours walking

Day 4 : Hike From Magome To Tsumago

Location: Magome-juku, Tsumago-juku

Accommodation: Minshuku (small family-run Japanese inn)

Accommodation Name: Daikichi or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Journey by train from Kyoto to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. Walk over Magome Pass to Tsumago, one of the best-preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendo post-towns. Spend the night at a family-run Minshuku in Tsumago, with a delicious home-cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast included. After dinner, enjoy a stroll through 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 / 1,069 feet of ascent and 430m / 1,410 feet of descent
Time required: About 3 hours

Day 5 : Hike From Tsumago To Nojiri

Location: Tsumago-juku, Nojiri Station, Kiso-Fukushima Station

Accommodation: Ryokan

Accommodation Name: Nezame Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A longer walk on the trail today offers a beautiful and varied hike from Tsumago to Nojiri. Or choose the shorter alternative to Nagiso instead. The trail heads through small valleys passing forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, through the least-developed scenery on the tour. Continue by train to Kiso- Fukushima and stay at a lovely hot-spring Ryokan set in a peaceful valley above the town. The Ryokan has lovely indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths.

Walking distance: 18.4km/ 11.5 miles
Elevation gain: 723m / 2,275 feet of ascent and 644m / 2,112 feet of descent
Time required: About 6 hours
A shorter alternative of 1 hour (3.7km / 2.3 miles) is also possible.

Day 6 : Hike From Yabuhara To Narai, Onward To Asama Onsen

Location: Kiso-Fukushima Station, Yabuhara, Narai-juku, 浅間温泉

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (hot springs Japanese inn)

Accommodation Name: Kikunoyu or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel the short train journey from Kiso- Fukushima to Yabuhara, the starting point for the hike over the Torii pass to another Juku village Narai. Explore this atmospheric village before travelling on by train to the castle town of Matsumoto and to your Onsen Ryokan inn for the evening.

Walking distance: 8.7km / 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: 344m / 1,128 feet of ascent and 270m / 885 feet of descent
Time required: About 4 hours
The final hour of the walk is skippable by train.

Day 7 : Sightseeing In Matsumoto And Onward To Tokyo

Location: 浅間温泉, Matsumoto, Tokyo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Niwa Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, explore the engaging castle town of Matsumoto, visiting Matsumoto castle, which is one of Japan's best historic castles.

After lunch, head onwards to Tokyo by train, which is both the end point of the Nakasendo trail and of our tour. Stay at a comfortable Japanese-style hotel in the city and enjoy a final farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8 : Tour Ends This Morning

Location: Tokyo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our tour ends today after breakfast at the hotel in Tokyo. Your guide will be available to provide assistance and advice for travelling onwards, whether you have homeward flights, or on plan on extending your stay in Japan.

What's Included

Accommodation

Seven nights in hotels and Japanese-style inns (Ryokan and Minshuku)
All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

All transportation between tour locations
Entrance Fees

Entrance to museums, temples and other sights on the group's itinerary
Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation

Most accommodations offer wifi in room or in the lobby free of charge.
Fully Guided

Full-time services of an English-speaking tour guide
Local Taxes
Meals – Half Board

Daily breakfast & five dinners
Train Tickets
Forwarding of one item of luggage on 2 occasions

What's Not Included

Airport Transfers at Destination
1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
Country Entry Visas
Drinks with Meals
International Travel
Entrance Fees

Entrance fees to museums, temples etc.

not mentioned in the itinerary
Game Drives on Safari

More Info

Videos

Check out our Q&As

What currencies are required for this tour?

Japanese yen.
Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?

Our travelers come from all over the world. As our guides are English speaking guides, most of our guests are English speakers, hailing from America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries in Europe.
Are vaccinations required for this tour?

No, but please always double check requirements with your local Japanese consulate or embassy before travel.
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

Yes, we will provide you with an electronic version of your itinerary prior to your departure with full details of your accommodations and how to access your first night's accommodations.
What is the tipping policy?

Tipping is not required or expected at restaurants or hotels in Japan. Guides will accept tips.

Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

We are always happy to book pre-tour or post-tour nights for you. We also offer an exciting range of extensions and experiences so you can create your own ideal itinerary.
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

Yes.
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

Yes, local guides are English speaking Japanese guides.
Do I need insurance for this trip?

We require that you are covered by medical insurance for the duration of your trip. You are free to purchase this insurance from any supplier you choose. Please ensure that your medical insurance includes emergency evacuation in the event of injury while in mountainous areas. Please bring your certificate of insurance with you. We also recommend but do not require general travel insurance.
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

In cities, we use mid-range Western-style hotels, all with private bathrooms. In the countryside, we use Japanese inns called Ryokan or Minshuku, with futons laid-out on tatami-mat floors for sleeping. At Japanese inns, bathrooms and toilet facilities are normally ‘along the corridor’.
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

Once you meet your guide on the evening of day 1 at your tour hotel, your guide travels with you until breakfast on the final day of the tour. There are no additional escorts.
What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?

Please refer to our booking terms and conditions.
Company Instant Book

You may book instantly and if space is available, we will accept your booking up to 35 days prior to travel, subject to availability of space. Please note that tours are guaranteed to operate once they reach a minimum number of travelers.
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

This trip is active. Our active tours generally have dedicated days of trail walking, with some days of over four hours and with some ascent and/or descent. We recommend active tours for anyone who does regular walking or hiking, and is comfortable to walk for up to a full day with some climbing and descending.
Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?

Some accommodations offer free wifi in guest rooms. Others may have free wifi available in public spaces, and some smaller accommodations may not have wifi.
Are flights included in this tour?

No. This tour is a land only tour and flights are not included.
Is the tour coach air conditioned?

We do not use a tour coach on this tour. We travel by public transportation.
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

On this group tour we do not allow children.
What is the maximum group size?

This small-group guided tour has a maximum of 10 participants which keeps them small, friendly and personal.
Do you require a visa for this holiday?

No. Visas are the responsibility of the traveler and are not included. We can not provide visa support. Please contact your local Japanese consulate or embassy of the entry requirements for your country and citizenship. Please refer to our booking terms and conditions for more information.
Are airport transfers included in this tour?

No they are not.
Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

Yes. We recommend guests travel with one main bag and one smaller backpack style bag for overnight essentials on days of the tour where luggage is not available as it is being transported.
Are you able to accept dietary requirements?

Please advise any dietary requirements you may have at booking. Some dietary limitations are not well understood in Japan. Vegan, strict vegetarian and gluten-free diets may not be possible. Please let us know and we will see what accommodations are possible.
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

There is some free time in certain locations. Please see the itinerary for details.
Are all entrance fees included in the price?

Entrance fees are included for sights listed in your itinerary only.
Can I join the tour once it has departed?

No
What documents will I receive before I travel?

All travellers get our Preparing for your Trip and Travelling in Japan documents, as well as a detailed personalized itinerary. Those travelling on one of our self-guided tours receive our bespoke topographical maps and walking instructions.
Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

No
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

For our small-group guided tours, if you would like to share with another traveler we will seek to match you up. If we are successful then you need not pay the solo supplement.
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Yes.
How long has the tour company been trading?

Since 2005
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

Our travellers are typically English speakers from around the world. On our small-group guided tours, you travel in the company of one of our professional local guides.
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

As per our booking terms and conditions, change fees would apply. If you have to change your dates due to the prevailing entry requirements for Japan please contact us and we would be happy to work with you to change your dates without charge.

Reviews of this Operator

Jan-Christoph Daniel (Google Reviewer)

We were hiking parts of...

24-Feb-2024

We were hiking parts of the Kumano Kodō (Kiiji & Nakahechi route) in December 2023 and booked a self-guided tour through Oku Japan. This was an excellent decision. They are reliable experts in off-the-beaten-tracks and pioneered the idea of self-guided hikes in Japan. In particular we liked that Oku Japan works with local communities, so we experienced true Japanese hospitality. A big thank you for a fantastic experience of the ancient Kumano Kodō – especially to Alessia!

Jackie Berkley (Google Reviewer)

We absolutely loved all aspects...

05-Nov-2023

We absolutely loved all aspects of the Oku tour. We selected the self-guided Nakasendo trail 5 day tour and it was fabulous. Oku set us up for success and incredible memories. We especially appreciated their advance support and answering all of our questions.

Janna Phillips (Google Reviewer)

We did the Ancient Capitals...

16-Nov-2023

We did the Ancient Capitals tour in November and it was fantastic! It was beautiful strolling through the countryside, forests, and farmlands. It took us to places that we would never have thought of, but enjoyed immensely. We loved chatting with locals and going on what felt like an amazing treasure hunt.

Rick Nelson (Google Reviewer)

A very knowledgeable and helpful...

11-Dec-2023

A very knowledgeable and helpful partner in organizing some of the most beautiful hiking trips we’ve walked. We booked 3 self-guided hiking trips (Nakasendo, Shikoku, Kumano Kodo) with them, and although we were pretty late they made all of them possible. The preparation went really smooth and we. Had the feeling we we’re ready for each walk. Everything was arranged really well and they were available for support when needed. The trips were gorgeous and combined breathtaking scenery with rural towns and comforting stays. They make sure you get to experience a bit of everything. Highly recommended, we can’t wait to book our next trips. Thanks

Jamie Stronge (Google Reviewer)

Absolutely brilliant trip. Seamlessly organised...

20-Jan-2024

Absolutely brilliant trip. Seamlessly organised with very clear and concise maps/instructions. Got to see a side of Japan that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen. Clear communication throughout and an amazingly helpful and supportive local team who helped us when we wanted to change our plans and reduce the amount of luggage we were carrying.

Meredith Woinarski (Google Reviewer)

My recent self-guided Kumano Kodo...

24-Nov-2023

My recent self-guided Kumano Kodo hike was sensational. This is a great way to discover a quieter side of Japan and its culture. Oku Japan provided very clear instructions that included travel connections, accomodation, walking directions, maps etc in paper and digital formats which gave me confidence travelling on my own in a new country. The choice and quality of accomodation was outstanding with hosts providing superb meals. I cannot rate Oku Japan service and quality high enough. Thankyou for making my experience in Japan a memorable one.

Kristin Schutz (Google Reviewer)

Walking the Nakasendo trail was...

29-Aug-2023

Walking the Nakasendo trail was the best part of our three weeks in Japan. The staff at Oku Japan (shout out to Clementine!) were incredibly helpful and responsive when we were booking. And the guides, maps, and walking notes were so detailed; it really made us feel comfortable doing the self-guided walk. I can’t recommend this enough!

Christopher Lavender (Google Reviewer)

Our self guided walk on...

24-Jun-2023

Our self guided walk on the Kumano Kodo was a great success and only involved two rainy days. The directions were generally accurate (with occasional ambiguity) and the B&Bs were all adequate and in some cases much more than adequate. It was a very pleasant introduction to Japanese culture and food - most of which was delicious and beautifully presented. The Hotel in Osaka was perfectly positioned (Marriott Courtyard at Shing Osaka Station). I think the grading of the walk was quite difficult, especially the last day, with ascents and descents over 800m - as it was also pouring with rain we chose to omit that day due to the danger of slipping and injuring ourselves on the downward journey. There were also leeches - which perhaps should have been mentioned in the notes. The Urashima Hotel in Kii-Katsuura was quite bizarre - a James Bond Peninsula for mass tourism - but an amazing experience on our last night ! The Takkyubin service was superb as was the advice and help we received in the OKU office in Chikatsuyu. We will certainly think of returning to Japan with OKU - and will recommend OKU to our friends. Thank you .