1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Walk the Nakasendo Trail

4.9 (54 reviews) Nagano, Japan
Duration8h 55m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 20 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Prepare to experience Old Japan on foot with this exciting hike through traditional post towns, ancient forests, and dramatic mountain passes. Starting in Tsumago-juku post town, your guide will explain a bit about what kinds of people traveled the roads in Old Japan, where they were going, and how they lived. You will get a chance to enter some buildings including an old Inn and a horse-stable that perfectly illustrate what your guide has mentioned.

Leaving Tsumago-juku post town, you will start out on an 8km trek to the next post town, passing by roaring waterfalls and quiet hamlets along the way. Keep an eye open for wildlife and wildflowers while you are led by your guide along what was once one of the main avenues of travel in Japan.

Arriving at Magome-juku post town, you will be treated to far off views of fields and mountains as you descend to the bottom of this very vertical village. After having a little time for shopping, you will board the tour vehicle and head back.

Options

Join from Nagano station

Pickup included

Join from Matsumoto Station

Pickup included

What's included

  • Transport to and from All Locations in a Dedicated Tour Vehicle
  • English Speaking Guide
  • Lunch

What to expect

  1. Tsumago Post Office
    1h
    Our tour will begin in earnest when you and your guide step off the bus at Tsumago-juku Post Town. Once a vital station on a road connecting Tokyo (then called Edo) and Kyoto, the town's appearance has not changed since its heyday. Here you can find streets lined with traditional wooden buildings that have been meticulously preserved by their residents. Some buildings are open to enter, and allow you a look into how people used to travel in Old Japan.
  2. 3h
    Departing Tsumago, the Nakasendo Trail trek will begin. Totaling around 8km, this trail is a must-see for people looking to combine an outdoor experience with a cultural experience. Along the way you will be treated to breathtaking waterfalls, quaint hamlets, and dramatic mountain views. The trail covers a wide range of elevations, so prepare to use your legs and get your blood flowing. Your guide will be there to make sure you don't get lost, and to help enhance the experience with timely anecdotes and knowledgeable trivia about the sights you will see along the way.
  3. Nakasendo Magome-juku
    30m
    With the 8km Nakasendo trek complete, you will arrive at Magome-juku, another amazing town on the Nakasendo Trail. More vertical than Tsumago-juku, this town is located on a steep hill providing views over the roofs of buildings below you and out onto the plain that lies at the bottom of the village. There are some gift shops and places to have a quick snack here, and your guide will give you a chance to peruse these establishments at your own pace.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

Nagano:
The pick-up at Nagano Station is inside Nagano Station in front of the information board right across the bullet train exit gates at 08:15

The pick-up point will be outside of the West Exit of Matsumoto Station at 9:45, at the bottom of the escalator. Look for the guide wearing a Snow Monkey Resorts tag who will help you to the bus.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Travel time is already included in the total duration of travel
  • All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (54)
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29,400.00 JPY per person
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