Private Nakasendo Hiking Tour From
$400
Magome to Tsumago
馬籠宿 - 妻籠宿
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Distance: 8km/5miles
Uphill: 230m/750feet
Downhill: 365m/1,200feet
Level: Easy. Good fitness is required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Highlights:
Two of the most beautiful post towns on the Nakasendo, Magome and Tsumago.
Tateba Tea House, an ancient tea house from hundreds of years ago still in operation today.
The twin waterfalls of Odaki and Medaki.
Stunning ancient cobblestone roads (known as ishidatami).
Incredible views of the Japanese countryside.
Prices (USD):
$400 for 1-2 people
$100 per additional person
$50 per additional child (4-18 years old)
FREE (kids under 4 years old)
The Nakasendo is an ancient road dating back hundreds of years that once connected Kyoto and Tokyo. Most of the path has been completely lost to modernization, but here in the Kiso Valley, it remains almost exactly as it was. Hike in the footsteps of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of samurai come before. And enjoy the sights of rural Japan just as they were hundreds of years ago.
This is the most popular hike on the Nakasendo and for very good reason. It starts and ends with two of the most stunningly well preserved ancient villages in Japan, Magome and Tsumago. Many of the stunning, rickety old wooden buildings of Magome and Tsumago date back to the Edo period (1603-1867), where locals operated inns and tea houses to serve travelers, much as they still do to this day.
The hike between them is equally as stunning with its varied views of sprawling mountains, ancient forests, crystal clear rivers, cascading waterfalls, and more. Sections of the trail are pathed with historical cobblestones known as ishidatami. And Tateba Tea House, located in a tiny hamlet in the middle of the hike, is a tea house that once served travelers and gave them somewhere to rest. It is still open to this day and allows visitors a glimpse of ancient times.
On the day of the tour, we will meet in front of Nakatsugawa Station and catch a bus together to Magome Juku for the start of the hike. If this isn’t convenient for you we can customize the plan to fit your needs. After strolling through the historic town of Magome Juku and grabbing some traditional street food, we will enter the deep mountainous forests of the Kiso Valley. The goal of this 8km hike is the town of Tsumago Juku, the shining jewel of the Nakasendo. Tsumago Juku is unchanged since the Edo period and a place of unparalleled historic beauty. From Tsumago Juku we will hike 4km to Nagiso Station to finish the trip (if times work out buses may be an option).
During the trip, I will provide hot drinks and snacks and you can even try on my own handmade waraji (traditional Japanese straw sandals), which I specialize in making.
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A knowledgeable professional local guide.
Hot drinks and snacks.
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Transportation.
Luggage Transfers (1,000 JPY per item).
Lunch (either a local restaurant or a bento lunch box).
Museum Entry Fees.
Souvenirs and any other personal costs.
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Hiking shoes/suitable sports shoes
Clothes suitable for the trails (this will vary depending on the season and the weather)
Cash for lunch and shopping
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Drinks & Trail snacks
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$400 for 1-2 people
$100 per additional person
$50 per additional child (4-18 years old)
FREE (kids under 4 years old)
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To lock in a booking, payments must be made at least 30 days in advance of the tour. If you are booking within 30 days of your tour, the total price of the tour must be paid immediately. Once the tour has been agreed upon, we will send you a credit card payable invoice. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
30 days prior: Free
29-15 days prior: 30%
14-7 days prior: 70%
6 days prior and beyond: 100%