DAY 1 NAGOYA – ENA

The tour meets at Nagoya at 2pm then transfer by train to Ena for the first Japanese inn experience of the tour. The tour leader will hold a briefing over dinner, a beautifully-presented kaiseki dinner.

Accommodation: Japanese inn Meals: Dinner

DAY 2 ENA – MAGOME

After breakfast, visit the excellent Hiroshige Print Museum before transferring to the start of the walk on the outskirts of Nakatsugawa, an old post town and now a pleasant regional town. In the afternoon, continue along the old highway passing quiet residences with carefully tended gardens, farmhouses and stepped paddy fields and begin our climb to the Magome Pass, which will be reached tomorrow. Wonderful views over the surrounding countryside make today memorable and an ideal way to begin walking. Reach accommodation, set in a delightful location aside the old road, after a long climb, though we negotiate this at a gentle pace. A warm welcome from our hosts awaits us at the top.

Accommodation: Japanese inn  Meals: Breakfast & dinner Total walking: approx. 10km (6.2 miles)

DAY 3 MAGOME – O-TSUMAGO

From the accommodation now lies the Kiso Road, the central section of the Nakasendo Way, that weaves through the beautifully verdant Kiso Valley. A short walk brings us to Magome, a delightful hill-side post town that was home to Shimazaki Toson. Toson wrote Before the Dawn. Set in the days of Japan’s change from feudal Japan dominated by the Samurai to a fledgling industrial nation, Toson’s book is considered to be Japan’s first modern novel. From here continue on over the Magome Pass for the classic hike of the old highway through forests, aside fast-flowing streams. There is a reasonable probability snow will cover the route as we descend from the Pass to an inn for the night in the hamlet of O-tsumago. After dinner, visit an onsen thermal hot spring bath for a relaxing end to the day.

Accommodation: Japanese inn  Meals: Breakfast & dinner  Total walking: 10km (6.2 miles)

DAY 4 O-TSUMAGO – KISO FUKUSHIMA

Walk onto Tsumago and spend time exploring this beautifully maintained, traditional post town. Visit the excellent Waki-honjin high-class inn and attached museum before walking 4.5km (2.8 miles) to Nagiso. Here, an interesting footbridge provides a hint of two colourful people once associated with the area; a geisha, who appeared on the front of Harper’s Bazaar magazine in 1900, and her tycoon partner. Catch a train to Kiso-Fukushima and enjoy lunch. An exploration of this town follows and includes a visit to the reconstructed barrier station that stood here during the Edo Period. Accommodation is in the centre of town, a Japanese inn with thermal hot spring baths.

Accommodation: Japanese inn  Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner  Total walking: 9km (5.6 miles)

DAY 5 KISO-FUKUSHIMA – KAIDA PLATEAU

After breakfast, transfer to the beginning of our walk using snowshoes through the snowy landscapes of the Kaida Plateau. The Plateau, regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in Japan, has a distinct alpine feel and we reach over 1,300 metres (4,265 ft.) as we crest our pass for the day. Clear weather will provide views to Mt. Ontake (3,007 metres, 9,865ft.), the active volcano that dominates the area. Depending on snow conditions we may use snowshoes to make our way. Tonight’s accommodation is another with onsen baths, is set in a small hamlet on the Plateau.

Accommodation: Japanese inn  Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner  Total walking: 5km (3.2 miles)

DAY 6 KAIDA PLATEAU – MATSUMOTO

Transfer to Yabuhara for a walk today over the Torii Pass, through forests to the lovely post town of Narai. Depending on the snow depth snowshoes maybe used again today to crest the pass. Free time to explore, relax in cafes and shop in Narai before travelling onto Matsumoto and our hotel, a charming and comfortable establishment in the centre of the city, where the last meal together will be enjoyed.

Accommodation: Hotel  Meals: Breakfast & dinner provided  Total walking: approx. 8 km (5 miles)

DAY 7 MATSUMOTO

After breakfast a guided visit to Matsumoto’s impressive castle, one of only four that are listed as national treasures in Japan. The Winter Nakasendo Way tour ends at the castle at approximately 11:00am. However, your Walk Japan Tour Leader will be on hand to help you purchase your train tickets for your onward journey within Japan. Travel to Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto is easily accomplished from here by train.

 Meals: Breakfast Total walking: approx. 2km (1.2 miles)