Discover Japan on this 10 night, 11 day, walking tour that takes you beyond the guidebooks, starting in the vibrant, modern capital Tokyo and ending in the cultural heart of Japan, Kyoto. Between the two cities, we take the slow lane on the ancient Nakasendo highway, through the beautiful Kiso valley. After experiencing the energy and bustle of Tokyo – and learning about its rich feudal history – we enjoy the next six days walking in the Japanese countryside on the old Nakasendo highway. Our final two nights are devoted to exploring Kyoto – the ancient capital and Japan's cultural centre. Along the way, we encounter reminders of Japan's feudal past, juxtaposed with its modern present. You will experience the traditional hospitality of rural Japan as we visit picturesque former post towns including Magome, Tsumago and Narai and stay in atmospheric, traditional inns many of which have been in the same family for several generations. The accommodation on the tour encompasses a range of traditional inns (minshuku and ryokan) and hotels in Ena and Kyoto. A short video of our Nakasendo tour can be viewed here: Nakasendo tour video. See a selection of Hiroshige and Eisen woodblock print images of the places this tour passes through here.
Check-in at tour accommodation in central Tokyo. Your guide will welcome you. A tour briefing at a local restaurant will be followed by an evening stroll through the affluent Ginza district.
Dinner is included.
Our tour of Tokyo starts with a visit to the Edo Tokyo Museum to learn about the history of the city and wider Japan during the Edo period (1603 – 1868). A visit to nearby Asakusa and the Sensoji temple gives us the opportunity to experience the earthy, downtown, side of the capital. Finally, a walk through Nihonbashi, where the Nakasendo and all other historical highways officially start, takes us to the gardens of the Imperial Palace, which was the site of the Shogun's castle until 1868. The rest of the afternoon is free, so that you may explore this wonderfully dynamic city at your leisure.
Walking distance: about 7 km.
Transport:subway & taxi.
Breakfast is included. Tonight you are free to explore the infinite variety of restaurants that Tokyo has to offer.
The tour transfers by Shinkansen bullet train to Karuizawa, the first of the former post towns visited on this tour. We follow the old Nakasendo route up to Usui pass for sweeping, panoramic, views of the surrounding mountains, including the active volcano, Mt. Asama. After lunch, we return to Karuizawa station and continue by train to Narai, a wonderful example of an historic post town that still has a very much lived-in feel to it. We stay at an inn which has been in the same family for seven generations and enjoy an elaborate meal, representative of the delicious country cuisine that this tour offers.
Walking distance: 7 km.
Transport: Shinkansen bullet train and local train transfers.
Luggage: This morning our main luggage is transported from Tokyo by courier to Kisofukushima. We keep a few overnight essentials in a small rucksack to be carried on Days 3 & 4.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
The morning is free to explore Narai and the local area, historically famous for its fine lacquerware. After lunch, we walk the Nakasendo, climbing through peaceful forest over the Torii Pass to the next post town, Yabuhara. From here, we board a local train to Kisofukushima where we visit the local museum showcasing the feudal barrier station that once dominated the region.
Walking distance: 7 km
Transport: includes one local train transfer.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
An early morning start to catch a train to Nojiri sets the day for the 23 km walk to Tsumago. En route, we are treated to magnificent views of the distant mountains and hills that surround the Kiso valley. The Nakasendo leads us through small farming communities and quiet country lanes. Lunch bought in Nojiri is enjoyed along the way whilst appreciating the beautiful setting in which we find ourselves. In the afternoon we arrive in Tsumago, another carefully preserved post town. After dinner at our inn, we visit the local onsen (hot spring) nestled in the mountains for a well-deserved, soothing soak.
Walking distance: 23 km.
Transport: includes one local train transfer.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
In the morning we explore Tsumago and visit what used to be an official inn for important members of the samurai class and is now the museum of local history. Next, we walk through a tranquil stretch of forest over a pass to neighbouring Magome. Here, we wander through the town's central street lined with craft shops, teahouses and inns. A few kilometres later, we arrive at our inn, perched on the edge of the forest. This inn was once associated with the travels of Matsuo Basho, the father of Japanese haiku poetry. Once again, we are treated to another feast prepared from locally sourced produce and, on a clear evening, a nearby scenic spot offers a place to gaze at an amazing array of stars in the night sky.
Walking distance: 10 km.
Transport: includes a local train transfer.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
After bidding farewell to our hosts, we continue our journey to Oi post town, now known as modern day Ena city. Leaving the Kiso valley behind us, the landscape gradually changes into gently rolling hills and rice fields. On the outskirts of Ena, weather permitting, it is still possible to see in the distance Mt. Ontake, one of Japan's most sacred volcanoes and a site of religious pilgimage. At Ena, we check into a western style hotel (laundry facilities are available here). In the evening we have dinner at a friendly local restaurant.
Walking distance: 16 km.
Transport: includes a local train transfer.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
After buying provisions for lunch to be enjoyed later on the trail, we resume our journey past farming villages and hamlets and through a section historically known as the road of thirteen passes. Along the way, we visit a 1300 years old Cryptomeria tree now enshrined as a local deity. We arrive at our traditional inn some 22 km later. This inn is more than 150 years old and listed as a building of cultural importance.
Walking distance: 22 km.
Luggage: This morning our main luggage is transported from Ena by courier to Kyoto. We keep a few overnight essentials in a small rucksack to be carried on Days 8 & 9.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
Today is our final walking day before entering Kyoto. The morning is spent on quiet country roads eventually descending to the Mino plain. We pass farms, rural shrines and Buddhist roadside statues protecting travellers. There is an opportunity to stop at a friendly cafe in the forest for freshly made pastries and a drink before reaching Mitake. After lunch at a lively local restaurant, we take a series of trains, including a Shinkansen from Nagoya, to the former imperial capital. We arrive in Kyoto in time to freshen up at our hotel before venturing out to dinner in one of the lively central districts. After dinner, there is plenty of time to wander through the famous districts of Pontocho and Gion where, if we are lucky, we can catch a glimpse of a Geisha or Maiko walking to their appointments at a nearby teahouse.
Walking distance: 12 km.
Transport: includes train transfers to Kyoto.
This afternoon we are reunited with our main luggage.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
This morning we start our tour of Kyoto by visiting some of the cultural highlights of this former imperial capital, including the stunning Golden Pavilion and the most famous rock garden in Japan, Ryoanji. After lunch we visit Nijo castle, the former Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogun, and walk through the lively Nishiki produce market in central Kyoto. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Kyoto further.
Walking distance: 7 km.
Transport: includes taxis, buses and subway in Kyoto.
Breakfast is included. Tonight you are free to sample the variety of restaurants Kyoto has to offer.
The tour comes to an end after breakfast. Your guide will be available to help with your onward travel plans.
We try to keep our pricing as competitive as possible. Please contact us for our most up to date rates.
This itinerary is subject to change.