Combine all the best of the Kiso Valley sections of the Nakasendo Trail, with upgraded onsen ryokan accommodation, and walks in Kamikochi in the Oku-Hida mountains, before finishing in historic Takayama.
Nakasendo and Kamikochi walking 6 days
(subject to change until the booking has been finalized)
Day 1 Hike from Magome to Tsumago and Nagiso
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. 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. In the afternoon, you will be picked up and transferred to your Onsen inn for the evening, a short drive from the main village of Tsumago.
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
A longer option of 4 hours is also possible depending on the inn you stay at.
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) or Onsen Hotel close to Tsumago
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Hike from Nagiso to Nojiri
The longest day on the trail is a beautiful and varied hike from Nagiso to Nojiri. The trail travels through small valleys and past forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, through some of the least-developed scenery on the tour. Continue by train to Kiso-Fukushima. Stay at a lovely hot spring Ryokan set in a peaceful valley above the town. Complimentary transfer from the station is provided by the Ryokan). The Ryokan has lovely indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths.
Walking distance: 14.7km/ 9.2 miles
Elevation gain: 625m / 1,945 feet of ascent and 530m / 1,730 feet of descent
Time required: About 5 hours
A longer option of 6 hours is also possible.
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) in Kiso-Fukushima
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Typical Accommodation
Komanoyu – A comfortable hot-spring Ryokan above Kiso-Fukushima, with indoor and outdoor baths – perfect after a day of hiking!
Day 3 Hiking in the Kiso-Fukushima region
A day to relax and explore the historic Kiso-Fukushima. Our optional walk today travels through a quiet scenic forest before taking in key areas of the town.
Stay at another lovely hot spring Ryokan in the town.
Walking distance: 7km / 4.3 miles
Elevation gain: 630m/2,075 feet of ascent and 635m/2,090 feet of descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours of optional walking
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) in Kiso-Fukushima
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Hike from Yabuhara to Narai and Hirasawa
Today travel by train for the short journey from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara, the starting point for the hike over the Torii pass to Narai. Explore this evocative village before a short walk to Kiso-Hirasawa, an historic lacquerware town. From here head on by train and bus to your inn for the evening; another wonderful Onsen Ryokan.
Walking distance: 8.7km / 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: 345m / 1,130 feet of ascent and 270m / 885 feet of descent
Time required: About 4 hours
An easier walk of 6.2km / 3.9 miles taking 3 hours is also available.
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Travellers Inn) close to Matsumoto
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 Hiking in the Kamikochi wetlands
Travel by bus to the biodiverse wetlands of Kamikochi; a popular site for nature hiking, featuring dramatic mountain and lake scenery. Head onwards to a secluded Onsen Ryokan village in Oku-Hida for the evening.
Walking distance: 10.2km / 6.4 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 3-4 hours of optional hiking
A shorter walk of 3.2km / 2 miles and 1.5 hours is also possible.
Accommodation: Ryokan (Travellers Inn) in Oku-Hida
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 Hiking in Oku-Hida and transfer on to Takayama
One final hike in the mountains of Oku-Hida, providing stunning views out over the local range. Head onwards by bus to Takayama where the tour ends. Explore this engaging town before heading onwards, which is well-known for its crafts, particularly yew-wood carving, Shunkei lacquerware, pottery and furniture. You may also wish to explore the ruins of Takayama castle and walk along the east-side temples.
Walking distance: 6.6km / 4.1 miles
Elevation gain: 700m / 2,300 feet of ascent and descent
Time required: About 3-3.5 hours of optional hiking
Meals: Breakfast
