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3-Day Walking Tour of Nakasendo

This sample itinerary can be modified to include a private guide, to shorten or extend the walks or to replace with different style accommodation. Leave it to us to arrange them all, and enjoy the historical walk in your own way.

Duration

3 days

Theme

Walking and sightseeing

Group size

Min 2 people

Tour Overview

This private extension is ONLY available with any of the scheduled Journey to the East Small Group Tours or as an add-on to a Private Tour.

Nakasendo Way is one of the most popular walking trails in Japan. The section of Nakasendo Way between Magome and Narai Juku is relatively easy to walk and very pretty – dotted with interesting monuments and villages. Our 3-Day Walking Tour of Nakasendo is an ideal add-on to wind down and enjoy the countryside after visiting busy cities.

Talk to us about how far you would like to walk each day, what sort of accommodation and transport you prefer, and if you would like to have a private guide, or perhaps you feel confident to travel independently with our detailed instructions.

Important notes about our model itineraries:

Our model itineraries are developed to show viewers the ideas for an itinerary and price guide. The itineraries can be further customized, and the accommodation and guide time can be adjusted to suit you. The number of people in your group will affect the price, too. We will give you more firm quotation once we develop your personal itinerary.

ようこそ
welcome

Itinerary

Day 1: Magome

Today you will travel from wherever you are (eg. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto or Nagoya) to Magome ready to start walking the Nakasendo Way . Magome is located central in the part of Honshu (main island), and is just over two hours from Kyoto and three hours from Tokyo by shinkansen, local train and bus. This 3-Day Walking Tour of Nakasendo is designed for our guests to follow easily as a self-guided tour. However, like all other Journey to the East Private Tours, private guides are available if you wish.

Today, we recommend that you take a local bus from JR Nakatsugawa Station to Ochiai, and start walking a section of Nakasendo to Magome (4.5 km). Magome is one of the most popular post towns along the Nakasendo Way and it is very pretty with quaint craft shops and cafes. Typical accommodation here is in minshuku style, traditional Japanese wooden houses with rooms divided by fusuma sliding doors. You will have a private room, but bathroom facility is often shared. You will be provided with a hearty homemade dinner at the minshuku tonight. (Western style accommodation is available outside the town.)

Dinner (Local cuisine)
Magome
Self-guided (Private Guide option available)
Local bus (cost is not included in the price) 
Day 2: Magome to Tsumago

After the traditional Japanese breakfast with a bowl of rice, miso soup, grilled fish and egg, you will start your walk on the Nakasendo Way this morning from Magome to Tsumago (8km - 2.5 to 3 hours). There is a luggage forwarding service in this section. Enjoy the rural and mountainous scenery along the way casting your thoughts back to the samurais and merchants who would have walked on the same road hundreds of years ago. Upon arrival at Tsumago, have lunch at one of the lovely restaurants, look around the shops and small museums, and go to your accommodation tonight. Again, the most popular style of accommodation is minshuku, but a limited western style option is also available and included in this model itinerary.

Breakfast (Japanese style), Dinner (Local cuisine)
Tsumago
Self-guided (Private Guide option available)
Walk (bus and taxi options available)
Day 3: Narai Juku

After breakfast, catch a hotel shuttle bus or walk to JR Nagiso Station. Then take a local train from Nagiso to Yabuhara (60 minutes). Start your walk today from Yabuhara to Narai through the Torii Pass (5km). At Narai, have a look around this pretty post town. If you are concluding your trip here, make your way to your next destination by train from JR Narai Station. We will give you detailed directions for your connection.

If you add another night on the Nakasendo way, you can stay this night at Narai Juku, or take a train back to Nagiso and stay at the same minshuku for 2 nights. While there are many nice minshuku at Narai Juku, we recommend the latter as there is no luggage forwarding service for this section.

Breakfast (Japanese style)
None
Self-guided 
Local train (cost of the train not included)

Inclusions

Includes

  • 2 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
  • Meals as specified
  • Comprehensive itinerary with detailed instructions and maps

Excludes

  • International and domestic airfare (unless otherwise stated)
  • Entrance fees to attractions
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Tips and gratuities (not routinely expected in Japan)
  • Personal expenses (laundry, internet, telephone, coin lockers etc.)
  • Visa (if required)

Price Guide

3-Day Walking Tour of Nakasendo

Have a question about this tour? Get in touch with our staff directly.