From $350
Private Nakasendo Hiking Tours
Where to Stay in Nakatsugawa & Ena?
Nakatsugawa is a small city with only a handful of accommodation worth staying at. Really Rural Japan is a local eco-tourism operation. We offer private hiking tours of the Nakasendo. Feel free to contact us, we offer our customers free booking support.
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Nakatsugawa (中津川)
Once a booming post town on the Nakasendo, and now a small city, Nakatsugawa has always been bound to thrive due to its fertile planes and location just before the mountains of the Kiso Valley. Here is our list of where to stay in Nakastsugawa:
Nagataki (長多喜) - Located a 30-minute walk or short drive from Nakatsugawa Station, this is probably the most stunning stay in Nakatsugawa. This inn is a small cluster of 400 year old traditional buildings with thatched roofs. Once located on the Nakasendo, the buildings were then transported to their current location long ago. Former Emperor Akihito stayed here in 1957 as a younger man. This ryokan comes with delicious kaiseki meals and a storied history. Dietary restrictions are well catered to and pick ups and drop offs from Nakatsugawa Station are free and need reservation.
Onn Nakatsugawa (Onn 中津川) - Until 2022, Nakatsugawa had very few rooms and a rather small capacity, but that all changed with the opening of Onn Nakatsugawa. This hotel is located in central Nakatsugawa and is large, comfortable, stylish and affordable. The buffet breakfasts are also extremely good.
The RYOKAN O - Located in central Nakatsugawa, this guesthouse is a renovation of a 200-year-old ryokan and was opened in 2020. It’s trendy and convenient with a bar/restaurant downstairs and a social atmosphere.
Tenmaya (天満屋) - Bunk beds in an ancient house. Tenmaya only accept one group at a time and, considering that, is probably the best value for money in Nakatsugawa. The renovated old house is right in the heart of Nakatsugawa’s post town. The renovated 180-year-old house is now stylish and combines modern and old well. Not to mention a garden in the centre of the property.
Book Tenmaya Now on Booking.com
Sakashita (坂下)
Sakashita is a small town which is now part of the greater area of Nakatsugawa. It is charming and extremely quiet and has a train station only a few minutes from Nakatsugawa Station and Nagiso Station. A great little secret with a couple of stylish rental properties.
Guesthouse 24 (ゲストハウスにじゅうよん) - An old Japanese house full of great ancient furniture which is being rented out by the owner of a small pasta shop/second hand record store next door. Dinners and breakfasts can be ordered there with prior warning. This is a great spot for music lovers as the collection of music is eclectic to say the least.
Guesthouse SHIGI - An over 100-year-old renovated home in Sakashita run by a local family. They also love records and have a fantastic sense of style.
Book Guesthouse SHIGI Now on Booking.com
Ena (恵那)
Ena, a small city in central Japan, was also an ancient town on the Nakasendo. These days it sees only few foreign travellers, but also gets used by hikers on the Nakasendo. It also is a great hub to visit Iwamura, an ancient castle town which doesn’t get enough attention considering its beauty and charm.
Ryokan Ichikawa (旅館いち川) - Full board or just breakfast included. Vegetarians are catered for on request. Directly on the post town of Oi Juku, this historical ryokan has been in business for 400 years and has been passed down through 15 generations. It was formerly named Kakuya (角屋) meaning “Corner Inn”, and herein lies a little story: The building was once on the corner of a masugata, a 90-degree turn in the road. In 1945 the road was deemed too inconvenient for modern times and the then-owners gave up their land with the inn to be demolished so that the road could be straightened. Ryokan Ichikawa’s current building was built after this as a traditional Japanese ryokan and the business stayed in the family.
Totaro - An onsen ryokan which picks up and drops off to Ena Station and offers traditional Japanese hot spring hospitality.
Hotel R9 The Yard Ena - A shipping container hotel in a car park near Ena Station. Not idyllic country living, but something when there is nothing else and interesting at that.
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Iwamura (岩村)
A highly underrated castle town on a quiet little train line. If you want to stay in ancient town but did not book in advance and think you may have missed the chance, Iwamura is a great “hidden gem”.
Guest House Yanagiya - Don’t get mixed up. There is a guesthouse with the same name in Magome. This hostel style inn is a renovated ancient house in the beautiful and quiet castle town of Iwamura. The train ride here alone is stunning!
