Winter Nakasendo Trail
Winter Nakasendo Trail
Winter Nakasendo Trail
8 Days Starting in Kyoto and ending in Tokyo
Visiting: Kyoto, Magome, Tsumago, Kiso Fukushima, Narai, Matsumoto, Tokyo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
91
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 13
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Contact us
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Winter is a terrific season to visit Japan and experience the Nakasendo Trail in the Kiso Valley. Most winter days are crisp, clear and cold, with brilliant sunshine. There's nothing more enchanting than the winter landscapes of traditional wooden villages like Magome and Tsumago against a backdrop of snowdrifts. Imagine the comforting warmth of a steaming-hot Japanese bath after a day outside. The Nakasendo trail linked Kyoto to Tokyo during Japan’s feudal period. It was the ‘road through the mountains’ travelled by feudal lords and their retinues, samurai warriors, merchants, and travellers. We spend five days walking on the loveliest parts of the trail enjoying the peace and serenity of the winter landscapes. Depending on the depth of snow, we may use our snowshoes to follow the route. We stay overnight in traditional country inns enjoying exquisite, warming regional cuisine prepared from the freshest ingredients. We soak in natural thermal Onsen hot springs and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts. A Japanese bath is a perfect way to end a day walking on the snowy trails!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Meet At The Tour Hotel In Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Make your way to the tour hotel and meet your guide in the evening for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 : Travel By Bullet Train And Train To Nakatsugawa, Hike To Magome
Location: Magome
Accommodation: Minshuku (small Japanese inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we travel by bullet train and regional train to Nakatsugawa and then hike to the post town of Magome, where we spend the evening.
Walking distance: 8.3km / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 400m/1300 feet of ascent, 200m/650 feet of descent
Time required: 3 hours
Day 3 : Walk From Magome To Tsumago
Location: Tsumago
Accommodation: Minshuku
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we walk from Magome to Tsumago on one of the most beautiful parts of the trail. We enjoy free time in Tsumago and time to explore the village before we check in to our traditional Japanese inn.
Walking distance: 8.3km / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 325m/1,070 feet of ascent, 430m/1,410 feet of descent
Time required: 3 hours
Day 4 : Tsumago To Kiso Fukushima
Location: Kiso Fukushima
Accommodation: Hot Springs Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we visit the Wakihonjin museum, a traditional building where dignitaries stayed when walking the Nakasendo Trail. We then have a short but pleasant stroll from Tsumago to Nagiso.
Then, we travel by local train to Kiso Fukushima, a town that was once a checkpoint on the trail. We enjoy some time in the town before we continue on to our hot springs inn or Onsen Ryokan for the night.
Walking distance: 3.7 km / 2.3 miles
Elevation gain: 100m/330 feet of ascent, 120m/390 feet of descent
Time required: 1 hour
Day 5 : Kiso Fukushima To Narai
Location: Narai
Accommodation: Minshuku
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we walk from Yabuhara to Narai, ad on this section of the trail we are likely to see the deepest snow and you will be provided snowshoes to navigate the pass. We arrive in time to explore Narai and have lunch at one of the small local restaurants. Our overnight accommodation is in Narai at a family-run inn in the village.
Walking distance: 6.2km / 3.9 miles
Elevation gain: 345m/1,130 feet of ascent, 270m/885 feet of descent
Time required: 3 hours
Day 6 : Walk Narai To Kiso Hirasawa Then Travel To Asama Onsen
Location: Matsumoto
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Japanese hot springs inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is our last walk on the Nakasendo Trail, to Kiso-Hirasawa. The area is famous for its locally-produced lacquerware. We then travel by train to Matsumoto. We visit Matsumoto Castle, one of four castles designated as National Treasures of Japan before boarding a local bus to nearby Asama Onsen.
Walking distance: 2.5km / 1.6 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 1 hour
Day 7 : Travel To Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we leave the countryside behind, for the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. We enjoy an afternoon of Tokyo visiting sights around the Nihonbashi area, the Eastern end of the Nakasendo Trail. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your guide.
Day 8 : End Of Tour
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour ends today after breakfast. Your guide can provide advice on your onward travel from your tour hotel.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in hotels and Japanese-style inns (Ryokan and Minshuku)
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
All transportation between tour locations
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Entrance Fees
Entrance to museums, temples and other sights on the group's itinerary
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Fully Guided
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Local Taxes
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Meals – Half Board
Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 7 dinners
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Train Tickets
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Forwarding of one item of luggage on 4 occasions
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Rental gear - a pair of snowshoes, over gloves, gaiters and walking poles
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Country Entry Visas
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Drinks with Meals
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees for sights not in your itinerary
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A single room supplement is required for solo travellers at hotels
Check out our Q&As
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
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. If you do not exercise regularly, then you should undertake a program of walking to prepare.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Yes, we recommend you bring one 'main' piece of luggage, and one smaller backpack style bag for overnight essentials
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, please contact our team for rates and availability.
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
Please refer to our booking terms and conditions.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No
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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.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
No
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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.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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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.
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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
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Oku Japan requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oku japan charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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