Highlights

  • Bathe in thermal hot spring waters each evening

  • Visit the exquisitely preserved villages of Magome, Tsumago and Narai

  • Visit the the engaging castle towns of Matsumoto and Takayama

  • Walk village to village on the loveliest parts of the old Nakasendō Trail

  • Explore the biodiverse Kamikōchi

  • Enjoy stunning views while hiking in the mountains of Oku-Hida

Our Nakasendō and Kamikōchi 6-day self-guided hiking tour brings together the best of our Nakasendō Trail offerings by combining our 4-day Nakasendō hike between the exquisitely preserved post towns of the Kiso Valley with time in Japan’s Northern Alps. Enjoy hiking in the Kamikochi district along a bright blue stream fed by the surrounding mountain peaks. Then, overnight in the Oku-Hida mountains.

Kamikōchi is a biodiverse region, and alpine flowers and many species of birds are common. This highland valley lies in the preserves of the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, and due to the altitude and the persistence of winter snows, is available for a more limited period, from late April to mid-November. The natural beauty here is stunning – in spring and summer, alpine flowers are in bloom, and in the autumn months, the striking foliage beckons. After taking in the beauty and wonder of Kamikōchi, travel onward to the Oku-Hida area for a ryokan stay.

Enjoy hiking in the Oku-Hida region and finish your tour in Takayama. If you are interested in extending your stay in this historic town that was once a regional powerhouse, let us know! We would be happy to arrange this for you.

You’re supported by our team in Kyōto, our local Tsumago office, and guided by our bespoke turn-by-turn walking instructions and detailed maps, created by our team of hikers for you.

What is included

  • 5 nights at Japanese Onsen Ryokan inns
  • 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners
  • Train tickets from Kyoto or Tokyo to the trail
  • Train tickets for intermediate journeys on the Nakasendō Trail which can be pre-booked in advance
  • Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions
  • Topographical maps
  • Local support by telephone
  • Our Preparing for your trip and travelling in Japan Guidebooks

What is not included

  • Flights

  • Airport transfers

  • Drinks and meals not included in itinerary

  • Local bus journeys which must be paid directly to the bus driver

  • Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy

  • Daily luggage transfer

Nakasendo and Kamikochi walking 6 days

(subject to change until the booking has been finalized)

Day 1 Hike from Magome to Tsumago

We supply train tickets for your journey starting from Kyōto or Tōkyō to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous bullet train to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. Walk over Magome-tōge Pass to Tsumago, one of the best-preserved and most evocative of the Nakasendō post towns.

In the afternoon, you will be picked up and transferred to your accommodation for the evening, a short drive from the main village of Tsumago.

Walking distance: 8.3km / 5.2 mi
Elevation gain: 326m / 1,069 feet of ascent and 430m / 1,410 feet of descent
Time required: About 3 hours

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Inn) or Onsen Hotel (Hot Spring Hotel)
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Hike from Tsumago to Nojiri

The longest day on the trail is a beautiful and varied hike from Tsumago to Nojiri. The trail travels through small valleys and past forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, through some of the most unspoilt scenery on the tour. Continue by train to Kiso-Fukushima, a historic post town that once flourished as a political and economic centre in the Kiso Valley. Tonight, enjoy kaiseki-style cuisine and hot spring baths.

Walking distance: 18.4 km / 11.5 mi
Elevation gain: 723 m / 2,275 ft of ascent and 644 m / 2,112 ft of descent
Time required: About 6 hours

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Inn) or Onsen Hotel (Hot Spring Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 Hike in the Kiso-Fukushima region

A day to relax and explore the historic Kiso-Fukushima. Our optional walk today travels through a quiet scenic forest before taking in key areas of the town.

Enjoy a second night at your hot spring accommodation.

Walking distance: 7km / 4.3 mi
Elevation gain: 630m/2,075 feet of ascent and 635m/2,090 feet of descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours of optional walking

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot Spring Inn) or Onsen Hotel (Hot Spring Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Hike from Yabuhara to Narai and Kiso-Hirasawa

Today travel by train for the short journey from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara, the starting point for the hike over the Torii-tōge Pass to Narai. Explore this evocative village before a short walk to Kiso-Hirasawa, a historic lacquerware town. From here head on by train and bus to your inn for the evening: another wonderful onsen ryokan within the city of Matsumoto.

Walking distance: 8.7km / 5.5 mi
Elevation gain: 345m / 1,130 feet of ascent and 270m / 885 feet of descent
Time required: About 4 hours

An easier walk of 6.2km / 3.9 mi taking 3 hours is also available.

Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot-spring Inn)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 Hike in the Kamikochi wetlands

Travel by bus to the biodiverse wetlands of Kamikochi; a popular site for nature hiking, featuring dramatic mountain and lake scenery. Head onwards to a secluded Onsen Ryokan village in Oku-Hida for the evening.

Walking distance: 10.2km / 6.4 mi
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 3-4 hours of optional hiking

A shorter walk of 3.2km / 2 mi and 1.5 hours is also possible.

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6　Hiking in Oku-Hida and transfer on to Takayama

Your final hike in the mountains of Oku-Hida provides you with stunning views out over the local range. Head onwards by bus to Takayama where the tour ends. Explore this engaging town, which is well-known for its crafts, particularly yew-wood carving, Shunkei lacquerware, pottery and furniture. You may also wish to explore the ruins of Takayama castle and walk along the east-side temples before heading onwards.

Walking distance: 6.6km / 4.1 mi
Elevation gain: 700m / 2,300 feet of ascent and descent
Time required: About 3-3.5 hours of optional hiking

Meals: Breakfast

Map:

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Tsumago post town in Japan, a beautifully preserved Edo-period village with traditional wooden houses, offering visitors an authentic step back in time.
The beautifully preserved post town of Narai in Japan, featuring traditional Edo-period wooden architecture along the historic Nakasendo Trail.
Scenic view inside Kamikōchi Wetlands in the Japanese Alps, featuring crystal-clear streams, lush marshland, and dramatic mountain backdrops in Chubu Sangaku National Park.























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