WALK THE NAKASENDO TRAIL

The Nakasendo was one of five major routes linking Tokyo - then called 'Edo' - and Kyoto during the Edo Period, some of which can still be walked today.

STAY IN KISO-FUKUSHIMA

Situated in the central Kiso Valley, Kiso-Fukushima is the ideal base from where to explore the region.

BOOK A PRIVATE CHARTER

Based in Nagano we can arrange private charters and tours to any regional destination including the Kiso Valley and Nakasendo.

KISO ONTAKE MOUNTAIN RANGE

The Kiso Ontake Mountain Range runs through the centre of Japan, dominated by the sacred peak of Mount Ontake.

LIMITED EXPRESS SHINANO

Running from Nagano to Nagoya via Matsumoto and the Kiso Valley, the Shinano Line is one of Japan's most scenic.

Plan Your Visit

(General)

Where To Stay In The Kiso Valley & Nakasendo?

Most famous for the historic Nakasendo and its beautifully preserved "post" towns, th…

(General / Things to do)

25 Things To Do Around The Kiso Valley / Nakasendo, When To Visit & Where To Stay

Most famous for the historic Nakasendo Trail and its beautifully preserved "post town…

Tours

Popular

(Day Tour)

1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Experience Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku

Spots:
NaganoMatsumotoKiso Valley
Pick-up:
Nagano CityMatsumoto
Drop-off:
Nagano CityMatsumoto
¥23,800
View Details
Popular

(Day Tour)

1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Step into the Past on the Nakasendo

Spots:
NaganoMatsumotoKiso Valley
Pick-up:
Nagano CityMatsumoto
Drop-off:
Nagano CityMatsumoto
¥24,900
View Details
Special Offer

(Private Tour)

MEET LOCALS: Discovering Local Heritage and Key Figures of Nagano

Spots:
NaganoNagoyaMatsumotoKiso Valley
Pick-up:
Nagano CityNagoyaMatsumotoKiso Valley
Drop-off:
Nagano CityNagoyaMatsumotoKiso Valley
¥50,000 ~
View Details
Popular

(Day Tour)

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

Spots:
NagoyaKiso Valley
Pick-up:
Nagoya
Drop-off:
Nagoya
¥24,900
View Details

(Day Tour)

(Summer Only) 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hidden Gems of the Kiso Valley

Spots:
NagoyaKiso Valley
Pick-up:
Nagoya
Drop-off:
Nagoya
¥24,900
View Details

(Day Tour)

(Winter Only) 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Local Traditions of the Nakasendo Road

Spots:
NagoyaKiso Valley
Pick-up:
Nagoya
Drop-off:
Nagoya
¥24,900
View Details

(Private Tour)

[START FROM NAGOYA] Rural Japan in Magome & the Kiso Valley Private Tour

Spots:
NagoyaKiso Valley
Pick-up:
Nagoya
Drop-off:
Nagoya
¥162,500 ~ / group
View Details

(Private Tour, Multi-day Tour)

2-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle, Nakasendo & Countryside Azumino

Spots:
NaganoMatsumotoKiso Valley
Pick-up:
Nagano City
Drop-off:
Nagano City
¥265,000 ~ / group
View Details

(Event Tour)

(Special Event) 2-Day Tour: Tenryu River Rafting, Tea-Picking & Tokimata Fireworks Festival

Spots:
Kiso Valley
Pick-up:
Kiso Valley
Drop-off:
Kiso Valley
¥60,000〜
View Details

(Event Tour)

1-Day Tour: 'Tokimata Hatsuuma Hadaka Matsuri' & 'Tenryu Funakudari' River Boat Experience

Spots:
Kiso Valley
Pick-up:
Kiso Valley
Drop-off:
Kiso Valley
¥30,000〜
View Details

Access

(Destination info)

How To Get To The Kiso Valley & Nakasendo Trail

The Kiso Valley is a relatively spread-out area along the Kiso River with its attract…

(Charter)

HAKUBA → KISO(NARAI-JUKU)

(Charter)

NAGANO STN → KISO(NARAI-JUKU)

(Access)

Limited Express Shinano (Nagano--Matsumoto--Nagoya)

Running from Nagano Station to Nagoya Station, the Limited Express Shinano connects t…

(Access)

Limited Express Shinano Line Timetable

The Limited Express Shinano operates daily services from Nagano Station and Nagoya St…

(Access)

Kiso-Fukushima Station

Kiso-Fukushima Station is a small but convenient station on the Chuo Main Line, runni…

(Access)

Nakatsugawa Station

Nakatsugawa Station is a small station on the Chuo Main Line, running from Nagano to …
Explore Travel Options

Charters

Private Charters

HAKUBA → KISO(NARAI-JUKU)

Duration:
1-2 Hours
Spots:
Kiso Valley, Hakuba
¥64,500~
View Details
Private Charters

NAGANO STN → KISO(NARAI-JUKU)

Duration:
2-3 Hours
Spots:
Nagano, Kiso Valley
¥61,400~
View Details
Explore Charters

Activities

(Local Food & Drink / Arts & Culture / Festival)

Be 'Spirited Away' at the Shimotsuki Festival: with Traditional Food & Sake Experience Tour

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Central Japan with this immersiv…
(Historic & Castle / Nature & Adventure)

Trekking the Tosando: Journey Along One of Japan’s Ancient Mountain Trails Tour

Embark on an exhilarating hiking adventure that takes you through the rugged and chal…
(Nature & Adventure / Water Activities)

Tea-Picking Experience of the Legendary Tea: A Deep Dive to the Tenryu Riverlands 2 Day Tour

This fun and engaging two-day tour takes you on an unforgettable journey through the …
(Nature & Adventure / Local Food & Drink / Water Activities)

Venture One of Japan's Most Scenic Gorges: River Rafting and Fruits Picking in the Tenryu Riverlands Tour

Explore the Tenryu Riverlands, located in the far south of Nagano prefecture and boas…
(Arts & Culture / Summer Activities / Top Attractions)

Narai-juku

Narai-juku is a historic post town - known as 'juku' or 'shukubamachi' - that once se…
(Top Attractions)

Walk as the Samurai did on the Nakasendo Trail

During Japan's Edo Period (1603 to 1868) the Nakasendo was one of five major routes l…
(Nature & Adventure / Arts & Culture / Wildlife / Cherry Blossoms / Summer Activities)

Naegi Castle Ruins

Naegi Castle was constructed over 400 years ago and sits 432 meters above the beautif…
(Nature & Adventure / Local Food & Drink / Onsen / Summer Activities)

Tenryu Riverlands

Near the southern tip of Nagano, by the small city of Iida, lay the Tenryu Riverlands…
(Nature & Adventure / Local Food & Drink / Shopping / Summer Activities)

Iwamura Castle Town

Located deep within the Kiso Mountains of Gifu, the well-preserved castle town of Iwa…
(Arts & Culture / Summer Activities / Top Attractions)

Magome-juku

Magome-juku is a historic post town—known as "juku" or "shukubamachi"—that once servi…
(Arts & Culture / Summer Activities / Top Attractions)

Tsumago-juku

Tsumago-juku is a historic post town, known as "juku" or "shukubamachi," situated on …
(Nature & Adventure / Snow Activities / Summer Activities)

Kiso Ontake Mountain Range

The Kiso Ontake Mountain Range runs through the very center of Japan and dominated by…
(Nature & Adventure / Summer Activities)

Ontake Ropeway

Mt. Ontake is the second-highest volcano and 14th highest mountain in Japan at an ele…
(Nature & Adventure / Summer Activities / Health & Well-being)

Atera Gorge

The Atera Valley, known as ‘Atera Keikoku’ in Japanese, is known for its pristine bea…
(Nature & Adventure / Summer Activities / Health & Well-being)

Kakizore Gorge

Carved and created by another stunning river, the Kakizore Gorge is known for its rar…
(Nature & Adventure / Summer Activities)

Nezame-no-toko Gorge

Translating as the ‘Bed of Awakening’, Nezame-no-toko is a natural formation of huge …
(Nature & Adventure / Summer Activities / Health & Well-being)

Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest

Located in the beautiful Kiso Valley, the Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest – or mo…
(Nature & Adventure / Wildlife / Summer Activities / Health & Well-being)

Aburagibirin Forest

For more than 300 years, the trees of Aburagibirin Forest have been protected and can…
(Nature & Adventure)

Lake Shizenko

In 1984, a major earthquake in the Kiso area created a landslide that dammed up a par…
(Nature & Adventure)

Shirakawa Ice Pillars

The Shirakawa Ice Pillars is a natural phenomena that occurs every winter along one o…
Find Activities

Hotels

Hirugami Onsen Area

Kiso Valley & Nakasendo
View Details

Tenryu-kyo Area

Kiso Valley & Nakasendo
View Details

Kiso-Fukushima & Narai Area

Kiso Valley & Nakasendo
View Details

Magome, Tsumago & Nakatsugawa Area

Kiso Valley & Nakasendo
View Details
Find Hotels

Events

(Arts & Culture)

Narai-juku Ice Candle Festival

This quietly beautiful festival takes place in the first week of February, bringing w…
(Nature & Adventure / Arts & Culture)

Kaida Kogen Kamakura Snow Festival

A winter festival enjoyed by local people in Kaida Kogen highland. Huge Kamakura (sno…
Find Events

Itineraries

View Map

(Tour)

7 day Nagoya Autumn Leaves Itinerary With Kamikochi, Korankei, and the Nakasendo Trail - October & November

Duration:
7-9 Days
Start / End:
Nagoya / Nagoya
Spots:
Takayama, Nagoya, Kiso Valley, Kamikochi, Shirakawago, Gujo
Season:
Fall Only
Theme:
Historic & Castle, Nature & Adventure, Temple & Shrine, Local Food & Drink, Arts & Culture, Autumn Leaves, Top Attractions
Transport:
Tour
View Map

(Tour / Public Transportation)

10-day Discover Central Japan Itinerary With Snow Monkeys, Geisha, and the Nakasendo Trail Starting and Ending in Nagoya - Spring & Fall only

Duration:
10+ Days
Start / End:
Nagoya / Nagoya
Spots:
Nagano, Snow Monkey, Takayama, Nagoya, Matsumoto, Kiso Valley, Kamikochi, Shirakawago, Shinhotaka, Ise, Inuyama, Hikone, Omi
Season:
Spring & Fall only
Theme:
Historic & Castle, Nature & Adventure, Temple & Shrine, Local Food & Drink, Snow Monkeys, Arts & Culture, Wildlife, Cherry Blossoms, Autumn Leaves, Top Attractions
Transport:
Tour, Public Transportation
View Map

(Tour / Public Transportation)

5-day Central Japan Adventure Itinerary For Adrenaline Seekers With Hiking, Rafting, and the Japanese Alps From Nagoya to Nagano - Spring & Fall only

Duration:
4-6 Days
Start / End:
Nagoya / Matsumoto
Spots:
Nagoya, Matsumoto, Kiso Valley, Kamikochi
Season:
Spring & Fall only
Theme:
Historic & Castle, Nature & Adventure, Local Food & Drink, Wildlife, Water Activities, Farm & Fruit-picking, Cherry Blossoms, Autumn Leaves, Top Attractions
Transport:
Tour, Public Transportation
View Map

(Tour / Public Transportation)

5 Days Japan Highlights Itinerary with Kanazawa, Snow Monkeys, and Tenryu Riverlands from Osaka April - November

Duration:
4-6 Days
Start / End:
Osaka / Tokyo
Spots:
Nagano, Snow Monkey, Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kiso Valley, Osaka, Hakone, Mt. Fuji
Theme:
Water Activities, Top Attractions
Transport:
Tour, Public Transportation
View Map

(Tour / Public Transportation)

7 Days in Central Japan with Natural and Historical Highlights Through Japan’s Riverlands and Majestic Mountains from Nagoya

Duration:
7-9 Days
Start / End:
Nagoya / Tokyo
Spots:
Nagano, Snow Monkey, Tokyo, Takayama, Nagoya, Matsumoto, Kiso Valley, Kamikochi
Theme:
Nature & Adventure, Water Activities
Transport:
Tour, Public Transportation
View Map

(Tour)

10-Day Japan Natural Highlights Itinerary with the Amaharashi Coast, Shirakawa-go, Ise and Mt. Fuji from Osaka May-November

Duration:
10+ Days
Start / End:
Osaka / Tokyo
Spots:
Tokyo, Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Kiso Valley, Shirakawago, Osaka, Shinhotaka, Mt. Fuji, Toyama, Kamakura, Ise, Fukui
Season:
May-November
Theme:
Historic & Castle, Nature & Adventure
Transport:
Tour
View Map

(Tour / Public Transportation)

10 Days Winter in Central Japan Itinerary with Traditional Experiences and Festivities from Tokyo

Duration:
10+ Days
Start / End:
Tokyo / Osaka
Spots:
Nagano, Tokyo, Takayama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Matsumoto, Kiso Valley, Shirakawago, Kyoto, Gujo, Fukui
Theme:
Arts & Culture, Festival
Transport:
Tour, Public Transportation
Find Itineraries

News

View More

Other Destinations

Destinations in Central Japan

Explore by Destination

Other regions of Japan

Explore by Destination