1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail

Step into the past and experience life in rural Japan as you hike the Nakasendo trail from Tsumago-juku to Magome-juku. This scenic section of the Nakasendo trail is brimming with lush forests, crystal-clear streams, and remote mountain villages—which have remained relatively untouched by the modern world. Your experienced, English-speaking guide will lead you through the historic post town of Tsumago, along the 8 km Nakasendo trail, past waterfalls and wildlife, and into the stunning post town of Magome. Shop for handmade crafts and sample local fare. This tour will reward those who like to take the road less traveled and enjoy an adventurous experience into the heartland of Japan.

*As lunch options are limited, please purchase a bento box or other food items before the tour starts, and bring them with you. Time will be allotted to eat while on the trail.

**A non-hiking option of this tour is available for individuals who are not able to hike or prefer a more leisurely pace. Please read the description below for more information about joining this tour as a non-hiker.

Highlights

• Enjoy a guided stroll through the peaceful, well-preserved townscapes of Tsumago and Magome, and enter into some of their historic buildings.
• Hike the Nakasendo Trail for 8 km from Tsumago to Magome, with plenty of time to rest and take in the view.
• Sample regional specialties or shop for handcrafted souvenirs in the quaint town of Magome while you enjoy some of rural Japan's best scenery.
• Take in panoramic countryside views as you travel on our comfortable tour bus to and from the Nakasendo trail. 

*For those looking to join the tour from Tokyo, please see the FAQ Section below

Review

Description

This tour will start at Nagoya Station at 9:30 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Silver Clock tower near the Shinkansen Gates. You will have the opportunity to put your belongings on our tour bus if you feel the need.

Your guide will provide you with a brief history of the region and set the scene as we depart Nagoya JR Station via our tour bus. Travelers who have elected to start in Nakatsugawa will be picked-up along the way between 10:30 and 11:00 AM at Nakatsugawa Station. We will take a short break at a roadside rest stop to stretch our legs before arriving at our first destination, Tsumago-juku.

Tsumago-juku was the forty-second of the sixty-nine post towns on the Nakasendo trail and remains one of the best-preserved post towns in Japan to this day. The charming town consists of inns, houses, and shops—many of which were built in the Edo era. You will be able to imagine what life was like for a samurai or a traveler as your guide leads you through this historic village.

We will then set off on our hike down the Nakasendo trail—one of five ancient roads connecting the de facto capital of Edo (Tokyo) with other regions in Japan. The trail was most prominent during the Edo era. Today, most of the original Nakasendo has been lost to time or converted into modern highways and railway lines. However, the section of the trail we will hike remains relatively unchanged from the time of the samurai. You will even see segments of the trail with original cobblestone. 

Our trail will wind its way up over many switchbacks, through cypress groves, passing small clearings with rice fields and farmhouses along the way. The hike will also take you by two waterfalls—the perfect place to catch your breath, feel the cool mist on your face, and stop for lunch. 

Recharged, we will continue our hike past a lone teahouse run by a local volunteer. You’re welcome to stop here for a sip of tea or exchange stories with other travelers.

At the end of the trek, you will arrive at the beautiful post town of Magome. Situated on a slope, this town offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery and features a main street lined with traditional wooden buildings. Even better, there are waterways on either side of the street, and the fast-running water powers multiple waterwheels.

The post town features many shops, selling popular local crafts and snacks such as oyaki dumplings, gohei-mochi rice cakes, and ice cream. We recommend looking for some of the wood crafts made from local trees, many of which are extremely fragrant and, just as importantly, small and easy to carry back home. Of course, your guide will be available to help you take photos that will make your friends and family envious.

Your guide will then accompany you back to the tour bus to start the drive back towards Nagoya. During this ride, you will have plenty of time to rest, look through your pictures, or ask the guide any questions you may have. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

**Non-Hiking Nakasendo Tour Option: 

We offer a non-hiking version of the tour for individuals who are not able to hike or prefer a more leisurely pace. We highly recommend this option to families with small children or individuals with mobility issues. 

This option also starts at Nagoya Station at 9:30 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Silver Clock tower near the Shinkansen Gates. Your guide will provide you with a tour of Tsumago-juku and describe what life was like for those living or traveling on the Samurai Roads during the Edo era. After the tour of Tsumago-juku, your guide will continue on the trail with those who have selected to hike the trail. Non-hikers will be given an hour of free time in Tsumago to enjoy the shops, take pictures, and explore at their own pace. You will then meet back up with your driver to continue on to Magome-juku. At Magome, you will have time to enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant, sample regional specialties, or shop for handcrafted souvenirs at your own pace before meeting up with your guide and the hikers at 16:30 for your return trip to Nagoya. 

For those wishing to visit the beautifully preserved post towns of Tsumago and Magome without the need to hike between them, please select "Non-Hiking Nakasendo Tour" at check out.

Meetup Points

NAGOYA STATION @ 9:30

The meetup point in Nagoya is at the base of the SILVER clock tower outside of the Shinkansen gates. 

If you are arriving via Shinkansen, the clock tower should be located directly in front of you as you exit the gate.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Taiko-Dori Gate. The silver clock is located inside the station just before the Taiko-Dori exit.

For those coming from outside the station, you will most likely be entering through the Sakura-Dori gate (the side with the gold clock). In this case, please walk straight through the station towards the Taiko-Dori Gate. The silver clock is located inside the station just before the Taiko-Dori exit.

You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 9:30 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. We highly recommend arriving early as Nagoya station can be quite crowded. 

NAKATSUGAWA STATION @ 10:45

The meeting location in Nakatsugawa is by the ticket machines to the left of the gates at Nakatsugawa Station. (Do not go through the ticketed area)

Please note: Our driver and guide will be arriving from Nagoya with other guests. While the scheduled pick-up time is 10:45 AM, please understand that we cannot guarantee an exact arrival time. On the morning of the tour, our team will do our best to email you with a more precise pick-up time. Please be ready at the meeting point for pick up anytime between 10:30 and 11:00 AM.

Please be on the lookout for our tour vehicles and your guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign.

Notes

Included

• English speaking guide
• Transportation during the tour

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to/from your accommodations

Other Information

• There will be a significant amount of walking required (over 8 kilometers), so please wear appropriate shoes/boots. The trail is not especially difficult but includes areas where there may be mud or slippery rocks and has significant increases in elevation along the way. Please consider your physical condition before purchasing this tour. **For individuals not able to hike, please select the "Non-Hiking Nakasendo Tour" option at checkout.
• This tour (both hiking and non-hiking) is not wheelchair accessible. The hiking tour is not suitable for most guests with mobility impairments. Should you have any concerns about your ability to join the tour, please contact us to discuss prior to booking.
• The drive from Nagoya to the Nakasendo trail is around 2 hours, and while there will be a bathroom stop along the way, please come prepared to spend a few hours on our tour bus while we are heading to our destination.
• In the summer, temperature highs are around 35 °C (95 °F) and above with extreme humidity. We recommend wearing something light and airy while minding sunburn and heatstroke. Please pay attention to the weather forecast and wear clothes appropriate to the outside air temperature to ensure you are not uncomfortable on the hike.
• The hiking tour is not suitable for small children due to the long walking distances involved.