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Our most popular route (and for very good reason), this hike passes between two of the most picturesque historical towns along the Nakasendo trail—Magome and Tsumago—with stunning natural views of imposing mountains, lush forests, and raging waterfalls along the way.
Both Magome and Tsumago are steeped in hundreds of years of fascinating history and culture, and Tsumago in particular is one of the most well-preserved historical spots in all of Japan—there’s honestly nothing else quite like it.
Please note that this is a full-day tour.
Recommended seasons to visit:
Spring
・Chance to see cherry and peach blossoms.
・Cool and clear mountain air.
Autumn
・Chance to see the autumn leaves.
・Cool and clear mountain air.
Winter
・Chance to see Kiso in the snow.
・Fewer people, so (almost) the whole trail to yourself.
Also possible in:
Summer
・Generally much cooler than the rest of the country (especially in the woodland hiking stretches).
・However, it can still get uncomfortably hot at times – we’ll take care to keep you comfortable and safe.
Tour Information:
- Starting at: Magome (or Nakatsugawa station)
Ending at: Tsumago (or Nagiso station)
(see detailed travel info) - Distance: 8km / 5 miles between Magome & Tsumago
- Total Uphill: about 240m / 790ft
- Time Estimate: 5-6 hours (of which 2.5 to 4 hours will be walking, depending on your pace)
- Walking Difficulty: Easy
(Some ups and downs, but all skill levels should find it manageable)
Accommodation – where to stay:
The most convenient areas for this tour are: Nagiso (plentiful accommodation options) or Nakatsugawa/Magome, but Okuwa, Kiso-Fukushima, or anywhere in the Kiso valley is just fine.
You can find more detailed suggestions for accommodation in and around the Kiso area here.
Highlights of the Tour:
・A stroll through Magome post town, surrounded by quiet rice fields and rolling hills.
・Magnificent views of the Kiso mountains.
・Beautiful waterfalls and mountain scenery along the route.
・Tea (and, if they have the time, conversation) with one of the volunteers running the historical Tateba Tea House along the route.
・A stroll through Tsumago post town—perfectly preserved as a snapshot of life in the Edo period.
・A visit to the historical Waki Honjin inn (entry fee required) in Tsumago, and an optional visit to the attached museum to learn more about life in the area throughout the ages.
・Lunch at one of the local restaurants in Magome, along the trail, or in Tsumago (cost not included. Please let us known your dietary requirements).
Optional Changes to the Day:
・Add a short bus ride and another 45 minute walk at the beginning of the tour to start from Shin-chaya, and see the Ochiai cobblestone pathway. (dependent on bus timetables – please make sure to ask in advance)
・Add a 45-60 minute walk along the Nakasendo to finish the hike at JR Nagiso station. (ideal for customers without accommodation in Tsumago)
・Reverse the route to walk instead from Tsumago to Magome.
Pricing:
Full-day Course:
This tour start from ¥46,000
– The exact price depends on the number of guests, as well as the season:
– Please see Our Pricing for more details
- This fee doesn’t include any of your travel costs, museum entrance fees, or any meals you may buy on the day.
- Payment is required upon confirmation of your reservation. If you decide to cancel your reservation at a later date, refunds will be determined in line with our cancellation policy.
Recommended Follow-up Tours:
Many of our customers string together several of our day tours for a guided multi-day trip along the Kiso valley. We’d generally recommend 3-5 days to get the most out of the area.
Any of our tours are easily accessible from either Magome or Tsumago, but we think the following are especially good for a follow-up tour (or for a tour the day before this one):
Nakatsugawa to Magome
Walking Tour
(Full Day)
Perfect for anyone staying in Nakatsugawa or Magome, this tour first takes you to the ruins of Naegi Castle, which offers beautiful views over Nakatsugawa city and the Kiso river. From there we’ll recreate the first steps the castle rulers would traditionally take along the Nakasendo towards Magome post town.
Lesser known than the route from Magome to Tsumago, this tour takes you through city, suburb, farming hamlets, and bamboo forests on a quieter, more intimate walk through Japan’s countryside.
Southern Kiso
Cultural Experience
Tour
(Full Day – combining
2 half-day tours)
This combination of two of our half-day Cultural Experience Tours provides the opportunity to not just see the southern side of the Kiso valley, but to experience it hands-on.
you can choose two of the following activities:
(1) Nagiso Traditional Woodworking Tour
(2) Natural Indigo Dyeing Tour
(3) Traditional Soba Noodles Making Tour
Kakizore Gorge
Walking Tour
(Full Day)
Hidden away in the mountains between Nagiso town and Okuwa village, the Kakizore gorge is a perfect option for anyone looking for a follow-up to the Magome-Tsumago tour. Not too steep, and not overly long, this route nevertheless boasts both stunning waterfalls and serene pools of crystal-clear water straight from the mountains.
Akasawa Forest
Relaxation Tour
(Full Day)
This, more so than any of our other tours, is a chance to relax and take a well-earned rest. Alongside a qualified forest therapy instructor, we’ll take a laid-back stroll through this peaceful forest, as well as learn all about its history, its culture, and its deep connections to Japanese religion and spirituality.
The Yogawa Trail
Walking Tour
(Full Day)
The Yogawa trail passes through idyllic mountain hamlets before cresting the Ne-no-Ue mountain pass, and then descending through beautifully forested slopes into Nojiri post town. Less well-travelled than the Magome-Tsumago route, this tour immerses you in the sights, sounds, and everyday life of the Kiso valley.
Kiso Town Tour
(Full Day)
Kiso town is another one of the Nakasendo’s most popular destinations, and for good reason—it’s one of the best places to see and learn about the Kiso area’s history, culture, and food.
This tour focuses exclusively on Kiso town itself, with a variety of options: an active day full of hiking, a relaxing day spent eating, drinking, and soaking in the onsen, or a mix of both—we’ll tailor it to your interests!
Travel Information:
This tour can easily be done as a day trip from Nagoya or Matsumoto. Guests travelling from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc. can make it work in a single day, but we’d generally recommend staying overnight somewhere in the Kiso area before and/or after the tour (to be honest, we recommend that anyway).
Where the tour starts:
This tour starts at Nakatsugawa station on the JR Chuo line, where we’ll take a bus to Magome together.
Alternatively, we can start the tour in Magome or Tsumago.
Our advice on getting to Nakatsugawa station
Where the tour finishes:
The tour finishes at Tsumago post town.
Alternatively, we can walk to Nagiso station together. (add on an extra 45-60 minutes on to the end of the tour)
Tsumago:
– Plentiful accommodation options, as well as taxi and bus services to Nagiso station, Magome, and Nakatsugawa station.
You can find Google Maps information for Nakatsugawa station, Magome, and Tsumago below.
Optional Add-on Activity:
While the hike from Magome to Tsumago makes for a full, enjoyable day, we always like to offer optional cultural activities to our guests.
In Japan there can be few chances for travellers to sit down and chat with the locals, so these activities both make for fun insights into various Japanese cultural practices, and serve as great opportunities to learn about life out here in the countryside.
Calligraphy Lesson in Tsumago:
This short (45-60 minute) lesson in Japanese calligraphy is taught by a friendly Kiso local, and is accompanied by a delicious sit-down lunch at Kozuchiya in Tsumago post town.
We generally start right after finishing the hike from Magome.
If you’re interested in this add-on activity, please let us know when you make your booking!
Pricing:
¥1,500 per person for the calligraphy lesson (minimum 3 people – groups of 1 or 2 will need to pay the rate for 3 people)
+ ¥1,200 per person for lunch (vegan and allergen-free options available – please ask in advance!
Note: the calligraphy lesson (and lunch) typically takes place sitting on a traditional tatami mat. Please let us know if you have mobility issues that might make this difficult for you.
Extra Information:
Recommended places to stay:
You can find suggestions for accommodation in the Kiso area here. The most convenient spots for this tour are Agematsu and Kiso-Fukushima, but anywhere in the Kiso valley is just fine.
Cancellation policy & other info:
Please see our full cancellation policy, as well as other information, here.
How to get your luggage around:
You can find information on local luggage transportation companies here.
Travel insurance:
Please note that we do not provide travel insurance – we recommend you purchase your own.
Uncharted Nakasendo 