Guided Nakasendo Walking Tour
Walk the historic Nakasendo through Japan’s Kiso Valley
Our guided Nakasendo walking tour follows an ancient route through the Kiso Valley, connecting beautifully preserved post towns, forest trails and rural landscapes.
Tour at a glance
- 8 – 9 nights
- Starts in Nagoya or Ena, depending on departure
- 80 km over 6 walking days
- Small-group guided tour
- Main luggage transfers, with light overnight packs on some days
- Traditional Japanese accommodation
Experience the Nakasendo through the Kiso Valley
Over eight or nine nights, we walk approximately 80 km across six walking days in central Japan. The tour follows carefully selected sections of the historic Nakasendo through the Kiso Valley, with a detour into the highlands of the Kaida Plateau before returning to the trail and finishing in Matsumoto.
Walk through preserved Nakasendo post towns
The Nakasendo was the historic inland road connecting Kyoto with Edo, now Tokyo. For four days, we follow some of its most picturesque sections through the Kiso Valley, walking between beautifully preserved post towns and through rolling countryside, forests and valleys.
Explore the Kaida Plateau and Mount Ontake
We then leave the Nakasendo, walking past waterfalls and through forest into the highlands of the Kaida Plateau. The area is known for its blueberry farms, native Kiso horses and magnificent views of Mount Ontake.
After a night in a traditional inn, we return to the Nakasendo for a final morning of walking into Narai, a beautifully preserved Edo-period post town. The tour concludes in the castle town of Matsumoto.
How challenging is the Nakasendo Trail?
This tour is suitable for active, healthy people who are prepared to walk for approximately 5 – 6 hours each day. On two days, we walk approximately 20 km. Where required, we can offer options to shorten these longer days.
The trail is hilly in parts and includes some steep sections, but these are relatively short. The terrain is generally even underfoot, although walkers should be comfortable with sustained daily walking and varied trail conditions.
Have questions about fitness, walking pace or completing each day’s route? Read our walking and fitness FAQs.
Traditional accommodation, onsen and regional cuisine
Along the route, we stay in a variety of traditional Japanese inns steeped in history. Some have onsen, or traditional Japanese hot-spring baths, where guests can relax after a day of walking.
Meals are one of the highlights of staying in these inns. We enjoy carefully prepared regional cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. All breakfasts and dinners, together with most lunches, are included in the tour price.
Main luggage transfers are provided according to the itinerary, and we carry light packs while walking. On a few non-consecutive nights, our luggage is forwarded one night ahead, so we carry our overnight requirements in our day packs.
The inns provide a cotton yukata, towels and basic toiletries, allowing the personal items required on these nights to be kept to a minimum.
Find more information about accommodation, onsen, meals and luggage arrangements.
Why walk the Nakasendo with Kumano Camino
The Nakasendo offers far more than a walking trail. Its post towns, historic roads, regional traditions and traditional inns tell the story of travel and daily life in Edo-period Japan. With Kumano Camino, you gain the cultural and historical context that makes these places more meaningful.
As Australian Japan specialists with Japanese-language skills, extensive cultural knowledge and long-standing local relationships, we bring this context to life throughout the journey. Our small-group guided Nakasendo walking tour provides personal guidance, careful preparation and support throughout, creating a richer and more connected experience of rural Japan.
