Nakasendo Highlights 6 days

Overview
The Nakasendo Way connects Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, via a 540 km trail through the stunning
Japanese countryside and via authentic Japanese towns. The whole mountainous inland route
traverses 69 post towns spread along the trail. However, we walk the most beautiful section
including via the Kiso Valley, also known as the Kiso-ji or the Kiso Road. The 27 km section that
connects the 4 southernmost towns (Magome, Tsumago, Midono [Nagiso], and Nojiri) has become
quite a popular hiking trail in recent years. We include this section plus a lot more.

The Nakasendo Way was the creation of the Tokugawa Shogunate who came to power in Edo in
1603. The Kiso-ji is a hilly path of ancient stone pavements and dirt trails that will lead you through
landscapes alive with seasonal flowers, crystal clear waterways, and old endemic forests. The trail
was used by daimyo, samurai, farmers, merchants, and the public during the Edo Period of the
1600s and beyond. Its primary use now is for walkers to immerse themselves in the real Japan
and by walking with us, the added advantage of walking completely stress-free.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NAKASENDO:

A one of a kind Japanese cultural experience both on the track and off
Enjoy authentic Japanese dinners and breakfasts, served in elegant tatami mat settings,
served at your traditional Japanese ryokan accommodations
Walk pack free on well-graded ancient trails, with wondrous views, through old forest and
bathe in onsens
Hike with a company that has nearly 30 years of experience providing self-guided walks
We’ve taken the time to walk the Nakasendo Trail multiple times to ensure our walkers have
the best possible walking experience
Local 24/7 support on the ground for your safety

Whats Included
Walk pack free with luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation
5 nights stay in an intimate family-run or smallish traditional Japanese ryokan accommodation
Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day
Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest
days
Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s authored comprehensive track notes and maps
24/7 support from our representatives on the ground
Itinerary
Day 1
Today is a travel day for you to make your way to the town
of Nakatsugawa where the old post town (Nakatsugawa-
juku) has been extensively restored. This is a great place
to explore at leisure and includes a number of traditional
shops (eg Japanese sweets, sake etc).

Meals included: Dinner

Accommodation: Nagataki

Situated in Nakatsugawa, within 12 km of Enakyo

Wonderland and 14 km of ?i, Nagataki features
accommodation with a garden and free WiFi. The rooms
are fitted with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a
wardrobe. If you don’t eat meat and seafood, that is not a
problem as their chief can adapt to your preferred meal
accordingly.

Day 2
Take a gentle walk through the outskirts of Nakatasugawa
to the small post town of Ochiai-juku. From here we head
up into the hills along the famous “Ochiai-juku stone
pavement” to arrive at Shinchaya. Then easier walking
along quiet country roads to the beautifully restored post-
town of Magome-juku. Take some time here and explore!
Then continue along rugged tracks through the forest over
Magometoge Pass and down into the post town of
Tsumago-juku. This town has also been wonderfully
restored.

Shorter options for today’s walk:

Walk from Nakatsugawa to Magome (approx. 9 km), then
catch a bus to Tsumago.
Catch the bus from Nakatsugawa to Magome and start the
walk from there to Tsumago. (approx. 8.5 km)

Total distance: 17 km
Approx. time: 4 ½ – 5 hr
Ascent: 846 m
Descent: 745 m
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Fujioto Ryokan

Fujihara family welcomes you to this traditional property

set in the heart of Tsumago. . Although the rooms are
simple, and toilet and bath facilities communal, the bright
spaces, central garden and convenient location in the
village more than make up for this. Fujihara family also
maes you feel at home by sharing their passion and
knowledge of the region.

Day 3
Today you’ll be walking the main route of the Nakasendo
between Nagiso (Midono-Juku) and Nojiri-juku lay along
the Kiso River. However, this route was often blocked due
to flooding and landslides. At such times, the alternative
“Yogawa Route” over Nenouetoge Pass was used instead.
This is the trail you will walk today. The Yogawa Route
takes you across the hills and through mountain villages,
visiting forests of tall cedars and striking deciduous trees.
In autumn, this landscape is a blaze of colour.

Total distance: 16 km
Approx. time: 4 ½ – 5 ½ hr
Ascent: 1044 m
Descent: 925 m
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Kisoji No-Yado Iwaya

Set in Kiso, 41 km from Takato Joshi Park, Kisoji no Yado

Iwaya offers accommodation with free WiFi. They rooms
are quiet, clean, spacious and with comfortable beds. The
accommodation is very close old townscape of Fukushima-
shuku and the ruins. They also offer a delicious Japanese
breakfast.

Day 4
A shorter walk today and our last outing in the beautiful
Kiso Valley. From the post town of Yabuhara, follow the
Nakasendo Way over the famous Torii Pass to the
beautifully restored post town of Narai. To get to the start
of the walk in Yabuhara, take the train from Kiso-
Fukushima. At the end of the walk in Narai, take the train
to Nagano, then transfer to the shinkansen to continue to
Karuizawa for the night. Note that travel time from Narai to
Karuizawa is approx. 2 ½ – 3 hr. You will need to factor
this into your day.
Total distance: 7 km
Approx. time: 2 – 3 hr
Ascent: 507 m
Descent: 500 m
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Tsuruya Ryokan

End the week at this well maintained accommodation,

Tsuruya Ryokan, a family-friendly ryokan that brings the
best of Karuizawa-machi to your door. Spend a relaxing
time at this accommodation with their very good onsen and
enjoy a buffet breakfast with lots of fresh fruits.

Day 5
Now, far to the northeast of the Kiso Valley, we have one
more opportunity to walk a section of the old Nakasendo
Way. Today’s walk leaves Karuizawa on a delightful path
that weaves its way up forested hillsides to Usui Pass. At
the top of the pass, take in the grand mountain views from
Miharashidai, enjoy a break at one of the teahouses
nearby, or visit the Usui Pass Kumano Kotai Shrine. Note
that there is a bus service between Karuizawa and Usui
Pass. Beyond the pass, the gently undulating path leads
over forested hills with astounding display autumn colours
in season, before a steep descent leads to Yokokawa. The
last few km are gentle once more as you follow the historic
rail trail that parallels the Old Usui Line. A spectacular
finish to your Nakasendo walking holiday.

You have the option of finishing your walk at this point and
making your way back to Tokyo. In this case please book
the 5-day Nakasendo Highlights trip. However, we strongly
recommend spending another night in a traditional ryokan
in Karuizawa and finishing your holiday after breakfast
tomorrow morning.

Total distance: 16.5 km

Approx. time: 4 – 5 hr
Ascent: 701 m
Descent: 1253 m
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Tsuruya Ryokan

End the week at this well maintained accommodation,

Tsuruya Ryokan, a family-friendly ryokan that brings the
best of Karuizawa-machi to your door. Spend a relaxing
time at this accommodation with their very good onsen and
enjoy a buffet breakfast with lots of fresh fruits.
Day 6
Your holiday finishes after another traditional Japanese
breakfast served in your ryokan. Then you’re ready to
make your journey back to Tokyo.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation & Dining
You will spend each night in a traditional Japanese ryokan style accommodation. These Japanese
guesthouses come in a number of styles ranging from traditional wooden structures to more
modern hybrid hotels.

Ryokans have Japanese style rooms with tatami mats, shoji sliding doors, and futons for sleeping
on. Few Ryokan Hotels have rooms with actual beds. The rooms may or may not have ensuites,
but prepared for a little luxury when it comes to the heated toilet seats. The bathing area is often
the pride of the Ryokan, especially when they’re located in an onsen area. These are usually
communal and separated by the 2 genders.

Meals are elaborate affairs from a western point of view served in a traditional dining area. A
traditional Kaiseki set meal is what is usually offered. Sometimes there is the option of a buffet at
the larger Ryokans.

Other Important Stuff

TRAVEL FROM TOKYO TO ENA

Take the Tokaido Line shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya. Approximately 1 ¾ hr travel time.

You can get tickets from the JR ticket window just before the shinkansen barrier gates. Even if you
have a JR Rail Pass (which covers the cost of all JR line travel), you will need to show some sort
of ticket to indicate your seat.

Tip 1 – Try to get a window seat on the right-hand side of the train for possible views of Mt Fuji on
a clear day.

Tip 2 – if you have not invested in a JR Rail Pass (only available outside Japan), you can save
some money by buying a Non-Reserved Seat on the shinkansen rather than a Reserved Seat.
Price is approx. AUD $60 difference. Total cost for Non-Reserved Seat from Tokyo to Nagoya
approx. AUD$140.

Then, take the JR Chuo Line (Rapid) from Nagoya to Ena. The Rapid service stops less often than
the local service. Both are the same price and stop in Ena. The approximate travel time is 1 ¼ hr.
Cost (if no JR Rail Pass) is approximately AUD$10.

DEPARTING FROM YOKOKAWA OR KARUIZAWA TO TOKYO

At the end of your holiday, you will have details for travelling back to Tokyo from either Yokokawa
Train Station or Karuizawa.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
On this walk, you will need to catch some buses and have the option of catching them to shorten
some walk days also. Most of these rides will be very short. You won’t be able to pre-book any of
these rides but catching them on the day is a seamless process. These bus fares are at your own
cost.

AVAILABILITY

This walk is best undertaken in autumn and spring, however, many people walk in summer and
take advantage of the manner waterways to take a swim. Winter is difficult due to snow and the
accommodations often closing.

WEATHER

From the end of March, the temperature begins to increase. In summer it’s quite warm and humid
but still good for walking, particularly if you enjoy warmer temperatures and taking a dip in a
stream.

The walk is offered in winter but bring some warm clothes and good rain gear. The area is just as
beautiful if not more and is not busy at all. Soaking in outside onsen in the cool of the night is one
of those real authentic Japanese experiences that you can look forward to after a big day on the
track.

As walkers, we believe spring and autumn to be the best time as the weather is perfect for walking.

See the weather information about the local average weather at different times of the year.

INSURANCE

We require that you purchase a travel insurance policy for travel overseas, as we charge a
cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. It is also important in
the event of an accident or loss of property. See our FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but
we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very
detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the
fine detail and much more.

CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch
with us via our contact form, email us at [email protected], or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.