Beyond Tsumago and Magome

One of the best hikes on the Nakasendo Trail, this guided tour extends the classic route between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago, letting you avoid the often crowded village bus stops. The diverse rural landscape makes it a great alternative to Kiso’s popular Yogawa Trail hike. If you only have one day to hike the Nakasendo, this is the tour for you.

Highlights

Explore beautifully preserved feudal era post towns
Hike the Nakasendo Trail through a diverse rural landscape
Step onto the Kiso Trail at its start, which the classic hike doesn’t cover
Learn about old Japan and its place in modern Japanese life

Where: Start: Nakatsugawa Station, Finish: Nagiso Station

Duration: Usually 5 or 6 hours

Start and Finish Times: Determined according to your itinerary, in conjunction with local bus and train schedules. Generally a mid-morning start

Distance: ~ 16 km (9.9 miles)

Difficulty: Moderate (due to distance. The terrain itself is easy to moderate)

Elevation Gain: 457 m (1,499 ft)

Season: April to early December, depending on conditions

Price: ¥68,000 per tour for up to six people

Getting There: Nakatsugawa is about 2 hr 40 min by train from Osaka, 2 hr from Kyoto, and 2.5 hr from Tokyo (via Nagoya)

Overview

After a short bus ride from Nakatsugawa, our walk begins in the outskirts of the post town of Ochiai. From there we hike to Magome through gorgeous countryside rich in history, with one of the best preserved stretches of ishidatami (traditional stone walkway) along the entire Nakasendo Trail. Shortly after, we pass the old marker telling travelers that “From here north, you’re on the Kisoji,” the part of the Nakasendo that runs through the Kiso Valley. We then arrive in Magome on foot like travelers in days gone by.

After exploring the post town, we continue along the classic section of the Magome-Tsumago hike through woodland and rural hamlets before crossing over the Magome Pass. From there, we enter the Kiso Valley proper, with a gradual descent to the post town of Tsumago. Along the way, we stop for tea at a teahouse dating from the mid-1700s, and take time to view the impressive Odaki and Medaki waterfalls.

After time in Tsumago, we walk the final section of the trail through woodland with picturesque bamboo groves and rural neighborhoods with beautiful Kiso Valley views. The tour finishes at Nagiso Station, where you can catch the train for your next destination.

All tours are private, exclusively for your group. Inquire today to secure your dates.

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