Japan Nakasendo Historic Trail

Nagano and Gifu, Japan · Japan

Easy5 daysAsia~£700 est.

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Overview

The Nakasendo was the inland samurai road from Edo to Kyoto, and in the Kiso Valley it survives almost intact. The classic walk links Magome to Tsumago over the Magome-toge pass at 801m — eight kilometres of stone paving, cedar forest and bear bells you ring as you pass — arriving in post towns where wooden lattice facades, kosatsu notice boards and lantern-lit inns have barely changed since the Edo period. Sleep in a family ryokan, eat river fish and mountain vegetables, and walk quieter stages around Nagiso and Narai. The logistical trick worth knowing: the morning baggage-forwarding service between Magome and Tsumago (roughly March to November) lets you walk with a day pack, and local trains on the Chuo line shuttle you between trailheads. Book inns ahead for early-April cherry blossom and November momiji — the two windows when the valley is at its best and busiest. Five days costs about £700 with ryokan dinners; carry yen in cash, as the older inns do not take cards.