Start from Nagano: Explore Japan’s Historic ‘Shortcut’ Mountain Trail – 2-Day Private Tour

The Ozasa Trail, once an essential route for travelers navigating the region during the Edo period, was known for its challenging mountain passages. Despite its rugged terrain, it became a vital “shortcut” that connected towns and facilitated commerce, allowing the route to flourish as an important artery of travel and trade. On this 2 day tour, you will follow the remnants of the trail, tracing the footsteps of merchants, travelers, and local inhabitants from centuries past.

Along the way, you will visit key points of the Ozasa Trail, including the Minenohara Highlands, historically its most demanding section. Here, you will stay overnight, immersing yourself in the grandeur of Japan’s natural landscapes. Depending on the weather, you may enjoy spectacular sunsets and stargazing under a pristine night sky. A guided snowshoe trek along the ancient path offers a unique way to experience the trail firsthand.

The journey also includes a visit to the grand Tanaka Honke residence in Suzaka on the first day — the former home of a prosperous merchant family whose wealth was built along the highway trade routes. Guests will enjoy a personal guided tour led by the current head of the family, offering rare insights into the region’s history, architecture, and cultural legacy.

Combining rich history with scenic mountain landscapes, this tour provides a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Edo-era travelers and experience the atmosphere of Japan’s ancient highways.

Additionally, the tour includes a visit to the picturesque town of Obuse, known as the retirement home of the world-famous artist Katsushika Hokusai. Guests can stroll through its charming streets, historic storehouses, and refined local shops before returning.

Highlights

• Explore Japan’s Historic Ozasa Trail : Trace the footsteps of Edo-period travelers along a rugged yet vital “shortcut” route that once connected towns and enabled commerce.

• Guided Snowshoe Trek Across Minenohara Highlands: Experience the most challenging section of the trail firsthand, enjoying scenic mountain landscapes while following the ancient path.

• Exclusive Cultural Visit to Tanaka Honke Residence: Explore the grand home of a prosperous merchant family along the highway, guided personally by the current head, and gain rare insights into local history and culture.

History of the Ozasa Trail

Nestled in the scenic northern region of Nagano, Suzaka is a captivating castle town that thrived during the Edo Period as a bustling hub of trade, culture, and craftsmanship. Its well-preserved streets wind past historic storehouses, traditional merchant homes, and local workshops, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into Japan’s rural heritage. Here, centuries-old traditions coexist seamlessly with modern life, allowing travelers to step back in time while enjoying the charm of a vibrant, living town. From the subtle beauty of wooden façades to the artistry of local crafts, Suzaka invites visitors to explore, discover, and connect with the spirit of historic Japan.

You will first explore the Tanaka Honke Museum, the former residence of one of Suzaka’s most influential merchant families. The current head of the family will personally guide you through the estate, sharing insightful stories about the role of the Ozasa Trail and how it shaped the region’s prosperity, alongside the architectural and cultural legacy preserved within the residence. From the subtle beauty of wooden façades to the artistry of local crafts, Suzaka invites visitors to explore, discover, and connect with the enduring spirit of historic Japan.

The Ozasa Trail was once an important mountain route connecting the Nagano region to highland villages and beyond. During the Edo period, it served as a busy bypass for merchants, travelers, and pilgrims, offering a shorter and more efficient alternative to the main highways. Inns and resting points along the way provided shelter, while travelers navigated steep switchbacks and exposed highland terrain.

Though this route was faster than other roads, traveling it could be treacherous—especially in winter, when heavy snow and blizzards made the mountain passes perilous. To help ensure safe passage, villagers built earthen embankments and stone markers along the trail, guiding travelers and honoring those who lost their lives along the way.

In the Minenohara Highlands, remnants of the Ozasa Trail still remain today, including a section where a one-meter-high earthen ridge runs along the path. This structure helped prevent travelers from losing their way during whiteout conditions in winter.

Description

Your guide will meet you at Nagano Station, ensuring a smooth start to your day. From there, you’ll head to the historic Odagiri House, one of the few remaining traditional Japanese homes in Suzaka. Inside, you can warm yourself by the kotatsu and enjoy seasonal Japanese sweets, experiencing a taste of traditional daily life.

Next, you’ll have the opportunity to dress in a traditional hakama, before continuing to the Tanaka Honke Museum. Here, the head of the family will personally introduce you to Suzaka’s history and the role of the Ozasa Trail in the town’s development. You can also stroll through the museum’s beautiful Japanese gardens, perfect for photos and soaking in the serene atmosphere.

Afterward, you’ll enjoy lunch at one of Suzaka’s renowned Japanese restaurants. Housed in a charming traditional building, the restaurant serves a carefully crafted seasonal course menu, highlighting fresh, local ingredients for a truly memorable dining experience.

Following lunch, you’ll travel up the mountain roads toward the Minenohara Highlands, historically considered the most challenging section of the Ozasa Trail. Here, you’ll put on snowshoes and explore the trail firsthand, following the same paths once traveled by merchants and pilgrims during the Edo period. As you walk, you can imagine the hardships and experiences of those early travelers while enjoying the serene winter landscapes.

From this point, you’ll reach a scenic vantage where you can take in sweeping views of Nagano’s expansive mountain ranges. If the timing is right, you may even be treated to a stunning sunset over the peaks, adding a magical finish to your mountain adventure.

After exploring the historic mountain trail, guests will stay overnight in the Minenohara Highlands, surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature. Here, you can unwind in the peaceful highland atmosphere, and, depending on conditions, enjoy stargazing under a clear night sky or take part in a short evening walk to experience the stillness of the mountains after dark.

On the following day, the journey continues to the picturesque town of Obuse, renowned as the later-life home of the world-famous artist Katsushika Hokusai. Guests can stroll through its beautifully preserved streets, explore traditional storehouses, visit the Hokusai Museum, and savor local specialties such as chestnut sweets and sake—experiencing both the artistic and culinary traditions that define this charming cultural town.

Meetup Point

This tour operates from the following meetup point:

NAGANO STATION @ 09:45

The meetup point is inside Nagano Station, in front of the Information Board directly across from the Shinkansen ticket gates. Please be sure to look for the guide wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag and please be waiting before the meetup time as the tour will depart on-time.

Notes

Included

• Private vehicle with driver
• Lunch on (vegetarian options are available)
• Fees for all experiences included in the tour itinerary
• English-speaking guide

Excluded

• Additional food, snacks & drinks
• Transport fees To/From your Pickup/Drop-off Locations