Nakasendo and Kiso Valley Walking & Hiking Tour: Autumn Leaves

Day 1

Meet in Kyoto to begin the tour

Welcome to Kyoto! Meet your guide and group members at the tour hotel in central Kyoto in the evening. We will enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Welcome Dinner

Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 2

A day of sightseeing in Kyoto

Today we will explore the ancient city of Kyoto, once Japan's capital city. Enjoy a guided half-day walking tour this morning, where we first visit the Sanjo-ohashi Bridge, the western end of the Nakasendo Trail. After exploring Kyoto, we will travel to Kurama, which lies north of Kyoto and is famous for its mountain temple. We will then take an easy walk through the Kitayama Mountains from Kurama to Kibune, enjoying the sight of mountains and the cool shade from bamboo or maple trees.

Walking distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours walking

Breakfast

Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 3

Hike the Yamanobe no Michi in Nara

After breakfast, we will travel to Japan's first permanent capital city, Nara, by train. As the city was named the first permanent capital in 710, Nara contains some of the country's largest and oldest temples. With such a rich history, the city also contains many historic treasures and beautiful natural scenery. Once we arrive, we will hike the historic Yamanobe no Michi trail, the oldest road mentioned in Japanese records. Enjoy the calming rural landscape as you pass through small villages and by shrines and temples. In the evening, we will return to Kyoto for one more night.

Walking distance: 13.6 km / 8.5 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 5 hours walking

Breakfast

Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 4

Hike from Magome to Tsumago

From Kyoto, we will travel by the world-famous shinkansen, or bullet train, to Nakatsugawa. Once we arrive at the beautifully preserved post town, we will board a local bus for a short ride to Magome. This post town served many travelers during the Edo Period, as they journeyed along the Nakasendo Trail, which connected Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). Enjoy a walk through Magome Pass to Tsumago, considered the best-preserved post town on the Nakasendo Trail. Tonight, we will enjoy the warm hospitality from a family-run Minshuku in Tsumago, with a delicious home-cooked Japanese dinner. After dinner, guests can stroll through the village streets, wearing a yukata gown supplied by our inn. BR>
Walking distance: 8.3 km / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 326 m / 1,069 feet of ascent and 430 m / 1,410 feet of descent
Time required: About 3 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Daikichi or similar class (Minshuku)

Day 5

Hike from Tsumago to Nojiri

After enjoying a Japanese breakfast at our Minshuku, we will take a walk from Tsumago to Nojiri, considered a beautiful hike. If guests do not feel up to the longer hike, they may choose a shorter alternative to Nagiso instead. The main trail passes through small valleys and forests of bamboo and Japanese cedar, allowing guests to enjoy the natural nature of Japan. Once in town, we will take a train to Kiso-Fukushima, where we stay at a lovely hot-spring Ryokan for the night. Enjoy the night views from above the town or enjoy a soak in the Ryokan's lovely indoor and outdoor hot- spring baths.

Walking distance: 18.4 km / 11.5 miles
Elevation gain: 723 m / 2,275 feet of ascent and 644 m / 2,112 feet of descent
Time required: About 6 hours
A shorter alternative of 1 hour (3.7 km / 2.3 miles) is also possible.

Breakfast / Dinner

Nezame Hotel or similar class (Onsen Ryokan)

Day 6

Hike from Yabuhara to Narai

Today, we take a short train ride from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara, which is located near the Torii Pass. The Torii Pass from Yabuhara leads to Narai, a post town that served as the half way mark on the Nakasendo Trail. Once we arrive in Narai, we will have some time to explore the town and visit local shops or restauramts. In the evening, we will board a train to the castle town of Matsumoto, where we will stay at a Ryokan for the night.

Walking distance: 8.7 km / 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: 344 m / 1,128 feet of ascent and 270 m / 885 feet of descent
Time required: About 4 hours
The final hour of the walk is skippable by train.

Breakfast / Dinner

Kikunoyu or similar class (Minshuku)

Day 7

Sightseeing in Matsumoto and Tokyo

In the morning, we will explore the castle town of Matsumoto by first visting Matsumoto Castle. The castle is one of twelve original castles in Japan, meaning it has never been destroyed by fires, war, or natural disasters. After lunch, we will leave Matsumoto for Tokyo by train. Tokyo serves as both the end point of the Nakasendo trail and where we will spend our last night together. Once we arrive, we will check-in to our comfortable Japanese-style hotel before enjoying a final farewell dinner together at a local restaurant.

Breakfast / Farewell Dinner

Niwa no Hotel or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 8

Tour ends this morning

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Your guide will be happy to offer advice for traveling to the airport if you are returning home, or for onward travel in Japan if you are continuing your journey.

Breakfast