[FROM NAGOYA] Nakasendo Trail and Post Towns Private Hike

Discover the timeless beauty of rural Japan on a guided private journey along the historic Nakasendo Trail, once traveled by samurai and merchants. Departing from Nagoya, this full-day tour is perfect for travelers looking to explore the Japanese countryside and learn about the history of the Samurai Road without dealing with all the logistics.

Begin with a visit to a museum showcasing the work of Utagawa Hiroshige, where you can learn traditional woodblock printing techniques used to paint each post town along the trail. Then explore the beautifully preserved post town of Tsumago-juku before embarking on an 8 km guided hike through forests, farmland, and waterfalls. Along the trail, enjoy peaceful moments in nature and connect with local traditions at a historic teahouse. Arrive in the charming hillside town of Magome-juku, where you can sample regional foods and browse handcrafted souvenirs.

This experience offers an authentic and immersive way to connect with Japan’s cultural heritage at a relaxed and meaningful pace.

*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

Description

The tour begins at 9:00 A.M., where our comfortable tour bus will conveniently pick you up from your chosen location within the Nagoya area.

Your guide will provide you with a brief history of the region and set the scene as we depart from Nagoya Station to our first destination, an art museum dedicated to one of Japan’s most famous landscape artists and his iconic works of the historic Nakasendo route.

There you will discover not only how culturally significant this trail once was, but also all the work and techniques that go into making ukiyoe (woodblock) paintings. You will even get the chance to create a simple print yourself.

After learning about the importance of the Nakasendo trail, we will travel to our next stop where you will see one of the best-preserved post towns along the Samurai Road.

Tsumago-juku was the forty-second of the sixty-nine post towns on the Nakasendo trail. 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.

Before starting the hike, you will receive a hiking certificate which you can get stamped in both towns to prove that you hiked this section of the Nakasendo trail. The certificate is made out of local wood, a specialty of the region, making it a truly unique souvenir.

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 a picnic lunch along the trail. Please remember to bring a bento as there is no place to buy food along the trail. 

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. There are waterways on either side of the street, and the fast-running water powers multiple waterwheels making the whole town feel a bit like it is out of a fairytale.

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 back towards Nagoya, or if you wish, our team can drop your group off at a hotel in Hirugami Onsen or elsewhere in the Kiso Valley. Please inform us of your desired ending location at check out.

**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. 

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.

Meeting Point

For Travelers Staying in Nagoya

We offer pick-up service at your accommodation in and around Nagoya for this tour. Please provide us with the name and address of your accommodation during check-out and we will make the necessary arrangements.

Please note that depending on the location of your accommodation, we may need to adjust the start time.

For Travelers Arriving in Nagoya the morning of the Tour

We also provide pick-up at Nagoya JR Station for travelers arriving by train. If you are traveling with luggage, you are welcome to store your luggage on our private vehicle. Please kindly provide us with the amount and size of your luggage at check-out so we can prepare the appropriately sized vehicle.

The meetup point for those wishing to start at Nagoya Station 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 9:00 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

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• Private transportation during the tour
• Entry fees at all tour locations

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• 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. A parasol is highly encouraged.
• Winter temperatures average between 0℃-10℃ (32°F-50°F). Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for cold conditions.
• As lunch options are limited, we highly recommend purchasing a bento box or other food items before the tour starts, and bringing them with you. Time will be allotted to eat while on the tour.