Explore the Heart of Japan
Nagano is ideally located to help you escape the city crowds.
See individual tour pages for access details.
Hike the Ontake Pilgrimage Trail in remote Otaki Village and visit some of sacred Mt. Ontake’s most important sites
Try the ancient practice of waterfall meditation with a local teacher in the tradition of Mt. Ontake
Meditate at historic Tokiji Temple, hike a pilgrimage route through the hills outside Matsumoto, and explore Buddhist cliff carvings
This tour extends the classic Nakasendo hike between the post towns of Tsumago and Magome. With idyllic rural scenery and feudal era ambiance, if you only have one day on the Nakasendo, this is the hike for you
A Nakasendo hike over the historic Torii Pass to Narai-juku, one of the Kiso Valley’s best preserved post towns. If you want a taste of Kiso but time is limited, this is the hike for you
Explore Shinto shrines, old-school merchant streets, and Japan’s oldest original castle in the capital of ancient Shinano Province
Discover the secrets of the Suwa region and its Onbashira festival, one of Japan’s greatest Shinto celebrations
Coming soon! Visit the rural Shiga area of Matsumoto and come face to face with it’s Esoteric Buddhist tradition, both living and ancient
Coming soon! Explore Kiso’s Akasawa Birin, the birthplace of shinrinyoku (forest bathing), with a certified instructor
Recently I finally read Shimazaki Toson’s Before the Dawn (first published serially from 1929-1935). Set along the old Kiso Road (aka the Nakasendo), the historical novel follows the life of a village headman and the profound effects on him and his community when Japan’s feudal period gave way to the modern era in the mid-to-late…
Nagano comes alive in fall with the changing colors of the leaves. Depending on your elevation and the exact region, the peak can be anywhere from mid-October to mid-November. Together with the cooler temperatures, it’s definitely one of the best times to visit Japan. This also makes it one of the busiest seasons of the…
The hike that follows extends the classic route between Magome and Tsumago, letting you explore these wonderfully preserved post towns while taking in even more variety through the storied Kiso Valley countryside. The full hike is about 16 km (10 miles) and takes from 4 to 6 hours depending on factors like your pace and…
