Nakasendo Private Hiking Tour
Tsumago to Nojiri
妻籠宿 - 野尻宿
From ¥45,000
Tsumago to Nojiri
Time: 6 hours
Distance: 17km
Level: Moderate (not technical but requires stamina)
Highlights:
The views: possibly the most idyllic views of the satoyama Japanese countryside you can see hiking the Nakasendo.
Less tourists: compared to the Nakasendo’s most famous hikes, this one is less trodden and starts to feel like a real expedition.
Starting from the stunning Tsumago Juku, this 6 hour hike takes you on a trip meandering through undulating hills, hinoki forests and picturesque Japanese villages. The first hour will take you through the town of Nagiso and right past the station. If your legs are feeling too weary, this is your chance to bail. The 17km hike has some steep sections and it should be a good workout for any intermediate hikers.
After a while the buildings will stop and the mountains and rice fields will begin to pop up. The route will take you along the Yogawa road. This mountain pass was used by travelers when the Kiso River was flooded and the usual Nakasendo unusable. These days people use this old route because the original Nakasendo in sections has become route 19, with fast and constant traffic. It is fairly well sign posted. Though sometimes you may feel like the signs are leading you into some ones back garden, just go with it. The locals welcome hikers and you should find more signs every few hundred meters.
Be careful of bears around here. Your best defense is noise. So long as they can hear you, they will stay out of your way. So chat away! And if you alone consider a bear bell or music. There are bells scattered here and there along the trail to let our furry friends know we are coming.
After descending through forests thick with moss you will find yourself in the post town of Nojiri. Several of the older buildings retain their charm such as this renovated café. Though the town is pretty quiet and lacking infrastructure so most people will jump on a train to another nearby town for accommodation.
