Luxury Nakasendo Walk (Inc. Usui-toge Pass) & Karuizawa Retreat 5D4N, Partially Guided

Magome to Tsugamo, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), 2-3 hours walking

We will deliver the info pack (train tickets, walking map) to your hotel in Japan prior to the trip.

Luggage Forwarding: At Nakatsugawa Station, we will collect your luggage and transfer to your hotel you’ll stay tonight and you just carry a daypack for walking today.

Today, depart from Kyoto (or Tokyo or Nagoya) for the beautifully preserved village of Magome, a post town along the Nakasendo Way, to arrive at Kiso Valley, where your Nakasendo walking adventure begins. Situated in Nagano Prefecture, the Kiso Valley runs alongside the Central Alps mountains and is one of the five roads that branched off of the former Japanese capital. Along the valley, the Kisoji, a historic 70-kilometre trade route that served as an important means for trade in the region, was established.

Make your way to Kyoto Station (or Tokyo or Nagoya) to begin the rail journey to Nakasendo. After arriving in Nagoya on the Shinkansen, you will transfer to a limited express train bound for Nakatsugawa. From the station, a bus will take you to Magome (bus fare included). The entire trip takes roughly 2.5 hours.

After arriving in Magome, take a moment to refresh before continuing your walk to Tsumago. Ascending the hill in Magome, you'll come across vintage wooden eateries offering the three regional delicacies of gohei mochi, oyaki dumplings, and soba noodles. Savour the delicacies to your satisfaction and then follow the meandering path that leads up into the rural countryside to see the breathtaking views of the mountains.

The picturesque village of Tsumago awaits you at the end of your stroll. Unlike Magome, all of the homes here are over 200 years old, and many people still live there. Among the post-towns that prospered throughout the Edo Period was Tsumago. During its Golden Age, traders and other aristocratic and notable individuals regularly travelled through the city for business and other official engagements. The residents of this small town worked together to save the majority of the remaining historic buildings, and in the later part of 1970, this town was designated as a Nationally Designated Architectural Preservation Site.

After soaking up the wonders of Tsumago, it's time to call it a day. Your accommodation tonight is the Hotel Fukinomori, a home-away-from-home resort nestled amidst picturesque mountains and forest, offering a great place to unwind. Nothing beats a relaxing dip in the hotel's outdoor hot springs in the cypress bathtub, which offers views of the forest, after a strenuous day of hiking the Nakasendo Way. Enjoy a restful night's sleep in either the Western or Japanese design cosy rooms, all equipped with en suite facilities.

Savour a mouthwatering dinner consisting of regional cuisine, including the well-known Kiso Beef and hand-kneaded soba (noodles) prepared with buckwheat from the neighbouring Kaida Highland.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 10 km (6 miles), 2-3 hours walking
Level 3, Approx. 14 km (9 miles), 3-5 hours walking

Luggage Forwarding: We will transfer your luggage to your accommodation in Kiso today. You just carry a daypack for walking today.

Savour a traditional Japanese breakfast before beginning today’s journey to Nojiri (or 10 km to Junikane), which is primarily uphill (on an elevation). Today’s route takes you off the beaten track through cedar forests and tall bamboo groves connected by footbridges made of wood and rural mountain pathways.

Continue further on the trail to reach Nagiso, a town brimming with rich history, intriguing culture, stunning scenery, and the 1920s-era wooden Momosuke bridge. This is an ideal location to purchase beverages and snacks for the day. Don’t miss the opportunity to savour the breathtaking scenery of the magnificent Kiso River that flows through the heart of Nagiso.

After walking 4 kilometres more on the Nakasendo Way, you will reach the popular Junikane Station, from where you can board a train (36 minutes) to Kiso-Fukushima. If you are in the mood for more kilometres, you can continue the walk on the Nakasendo Way to Nojiri, after which you can take a train from Nojiri Station to Kiso-Fukushima.

If you arrive earlier at Kiso-Fukushima, you can visit three fascinating sights today (at your own expense). Firstly, you’ll visit the Yakamura residence, the historical residence of Yamamura, leader of the Owari clan and overseer of Kiso-Fukushima, now transformed into a captivating museum documenting the aristocratic lifestyle of bygone eras in the region. Following this, immerse yourself in the enchanting Kozenji Temple, boasting Asia’s largest dry rock garden, a serene spectacle reminiscent of Kyoto’s renowned gardens. Concluding your journey, experience the Fukushima Sekisho-Ato, a 270-year-old immigration office with a rich history.

You’ll spend the night in one of the greatest traditional Japanese guesthouses on the Nakasendo Trail, Kiso-Fukushima. The hotel features both indoor and outdoor hot springs and is surrounded by lush scenery. After enjoying a sumptuous dinner made with locally sourced ingredients, settle into your cosy room, equipped with modern amenities and plush furnishings for your ultimate convenience.

Level 1, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), 1-2 hours walking

Luggage Forwarding: Your luggage will be transferred to Narai and you just carry a daypack for walking today.

Today, after a hearty breakfast, you can opt for a leisurely stroll to tour Kiso-Fukushima, taking in all its excitement. Afterwards, join a scenic 15-minute train ride from Kiso-Fukushima station, where you get to explore the majestic Torii pass, an ancient trail between Yabuhara-juku and Narai-juku that used to be the most dangerous path in Nakasendo.

You have about three hours to discover the trail at your pace before you move further to tour the post town of Narai, also referred to as the “Narai of a Thousand Houses” for the many well-restored old buildings that now serve either as souvenir shops or as local restaurants. You can visit many restaurants serving local delicacies such as gohei-mochi (sticky rice cakes) and soba (buckwheat noodles) here. Merry at traditional inns and minshuku that serve as a convenient stopover for hikers en route.

Come 3:00pm, journey on a 2.5 hours private transfer to Hoshinoya Karuizawa, our home for the next two days. *If the tour exceeds your budge, we could change the accommodation to Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel. Please contact us for a quote for the customised itinerary.

This accommodation, embodying a delightful fusion of nature and modern elegance, is seated amid a verdant rainforest and features full-height glass walls to make guests feel a satisfying closeness to nature. After settling in, walk for a few minutes to access unrivalled rejuvenation, Japanese style, in the famed Hoshino Onsen Hot Spring. Savour a tranquil, relaxing experience and testify to the therapeutic qualities of the hot spring firsthand. Following that, you can explore the gorgeous town of Karuizawa. Famed as a paradise for nature lovers, with breathtaking mountain views and fascinating history, the town draws you in with serene hiking trails, cosy cafes, and tasty jam flavours.

Tonight, we convene for a delectable Japanese dinner at Hoshinoya Karuizawa featuring a Kaiseki menu. Enjoy delicious foods like Kasuke Beef Shabu Shabu and soft-shelled turtle hot pot.

Level 3, Approx. 17 km (11 miles), 5-6 hours walking

This morning, relish a hearty breakfast before convening with your guide at 930 am to head to the trail’s starting point in Karuizawa. This route, part of the old Nakasendo trail, exposes you to the unfiltered beauty of nature and spectacular reminders of the past. Begin in Karuizawa’s post-town, which turned into a lively shopping street that leads into the mountains. Navigate deep forests, soak in scenic views of distant mountain ranges, and catch sight of wild Japanese macaques (also known as snow monkeys).

Reaching Usui Pass summit, you may pause to savour a tasty local lunch of a bento or soba and mochi on your own. Following that, proceed to the Kumano Kotai Shrine situated on the border between Gunma and Nagano prefectures and 1200 m above the peak of Usui Pass. This shrine, embodying the region’s unique blend of Shinto and local beliefs, gives visitors a serene atmosphere and breathtaking panoramas. You can enjoy a local specialty—rice cakes called “Chikara Mochi.”

Pick yourself up and begin descending into the landlocked Gunma Prefecture, characterised by rugged mountains and diverse flora. This is the last major descent along the Nakasendo trail before we reach the Kanto Plain. Approaching Nakasendo’s next historic post town, Sakamoto, take in awe-inspiring views of Mount Myogi, a unique mountain range looking a lot like Asia’s striking limestone cliffs. After your hike, you’ll transfer to Yokokowa Station, return to Hoshinoya Karuizawa, your lovely accommodation.

On arrival back at the hotel, settle down before taking a stroll around the resort and perhaps stopping for a soothing dip in its very own hot spring—Tombo-no-yu, or perhaps pay another visit to Hoshino Onsen.

Dinner tonight is different from yesterday’s. We will enjoy mouthwatering French cuisine in the Bleston Court Yukawatan, within walking distance of the premises.

Savour a nourishing breakfast and relish a leisurely morning at the hotel. Come 10:50am, join a shuttle to Karuizwa Station before boarding a Shinkansen train to Tokyo (other cities can be arranged on request), where your trip ends.

Train: 12:00pm Karuizawa Station > 1:12 pm Tokyo Station. Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama 614 bullet train. Tickets included.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.