Nakasendo Trail Trek
STARTING POINT
Kyoto
FINISH POINT
Tokyo
DURATION
7 days / 6 nights
SEASON
From April to November
TECHNICAL LEVEL
FITNESS LEVEL
TOUR TYPE
Inn-to-Inn
PRICE
From 980€/person
- Immerse yourself in Japan’s history while hiking an ancient samurai route
- Walk through well-preserved Edo-period post towns like Tsumago and Magome
- Experience the serene beauty of Odaki & Medaki Waterfalls along the way
- Stay in traditional ryokan inns and savor local Japanese cuisine
- Enjoy panoramic views from the scenic Magome Pass and peaceful forest trails
Self-guided
INCLUDED IN PRICE
What to Bring to the Tour
Step into the heart of Japan’s mountainous terrain on the Nakasendo Trail, a route that has been traversed by travelers for centuries.
Unlike the bustling Tokaido coastal route, the Nakasendo meanders through the tranquil Kiso Valley, offering hikers an immersive experience in both nature and history.
The trail is a testament to Japan's dedication to preserving its cultural heritage. As you hike, you'll pass through several of the original sixty-nine post towns, including the famed Magome and Tsumago, which remain virtually untouched by modern development, providing a rare glimpse into Japan's past.
You’ll not only witness stunning natural vistas but also engage with the local culture, staying in traditional ryokan inns where you can enjoy the warmth of Japanese hospitality. The journey is both a physical challenge and a step back in time, offering a deeply enriching experience for those who seek to connect with Japan’s rich history.
Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a cultural enthusiast, the Nakasendo Trail promises a journey filled with discovery, beauty, and reflection. With all logistics handled – from accommodations to detailed itineraries, GPS tracks and customer support – you can focus entirely on enjoying this unique adventure through Japan’s historic heartland.
Are you ready to step back in time? Secure your place on the Nakasendo Trail!
Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course. We aim to make your decision as easy as possible. Therefore, we crafted several selections targeted at particular groups of hikers – Best for Beginners, Best for Advanced Hikers, Mountain Hikes, Pilgrimages, Classic Treks, etc.
If you remain unsure and overwhelmed, you can fill out this form or book a call with us, and we can help you directly.
Number of people
A fantastic 3 day self guided Hut to Hut hike around Triglav National Park in Slovenia. We experienced a full range of weather which made it an unforgettable trip. The organisation and back up support with GPS maps etc was excellent. Hut staff were friendly and very happy to give advice and suggestions on the routes and directions. Would recommend.
My friend and I went with Triglav Tours for a 3 day, 2 night hike this summer and had the most amazing time!! Our guide, Bine, was awesome and had lots of cool facts to share about the area we were hiking. Additionally, my friend and I had not completed such a technical hike before and the guide and other guests were very patient with us and encouraging, ensuring we felt safe the entire time. The overnights were also such a fun way to get to know Bine, the other guests, and other hikers as well. Cannot recommend Triglav tours enough!!!
I arranged a six-day/five-night trip with Hut to Hut Slovenia. It's the first time I've gone with a tour organizer and I can say it went really well. In the past I've arranged huts myself and it is a huge hassle figuring out how to make the bookings, if the bookings actually exist, and what good/viable routes might be. Having this all sort was, at least to me, totally worth it. The routing is via Ride with GPS, which was great. I'd recommend bringing 1:25,000 scale paper maps as a backup, just in case. The huts themselves differ wildly. Some are really rustic with, ahem, interesting toilet facilities. One was accessible by road and thus had showers, a long menu, and even espresso. All will have some sort of food, but you might only have two options for dinner (one with meat, one vegetarian). The cuisine in the Slovenian huts leans strongly to stews and goulashes with minimal fresh vegetables and/or fruit. Certainly good and hearty but pretty much everyone I talked to said the food was better in the Italian and Austrian huts. Some huts are cash only, some take cards (but the card reader might be down). A 1.5 litre bottle of water is about 6 euro, so if you have a beer with dinner and also buy lunch you need to carry about 25-30 euro per day in cash (assuming you have a booking that includes breakfast). Of the six days of hiking, four were ridiculously spectacular, with the highlight being sunrise from Mt Stol. Getting up to the high mountains, though, can be crazy steep, with switchbacks only sparsely used. Descents are similarly tough, and you have to watch every step. For the first time ever I used trekking poles and my knees thank me. Two days were a bit of a slog, but this is probably unavoidable getting up to or down from the high terrain. Would I do something like this again? Yes, absolutely! But next time it will probably be the Dolomites.
We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)
Self-Guided
On a self-guided tour, you explore a destination independently, following a pre-planned route and itinerary without a guide but with all necessary information and accommodation bookings provided in advance.
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HANDPICKED ADVENTURES
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VALUE YOUR TIME
SELF-GUIDED TRAVEL
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TRUSTED BY MANY
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