Nakasendo Trail, Tokyo, Kyoto, Mount Koya & Nara

Perfect if you want to combine walking, culture and cities. Wonderful scenery, a rich history, fascinating cities and beautiful lodgings combine to make this tour a great overall insight into Japan.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

The walking days on this tour are graded moderate and the longer walking days can be shortened if you want to cut down the distance. On most days you will be walking between 2 and 6 hours so you should be an occassional to regular walker to get the most from the trip or do so training prior to the trip.

In Tokyo and Kyoto, we use carefully selected 3 or 4* hotels. We use local family-run minshuku and ryokan for the 3 nights on the walking section and in Nara. And in Mount Koya, you stay in monastery temple lodging. 

The classic Japanese inn, Ryokan come in many styles, but are united by flawless service and exquisitely-prepared food. Ryokan may be in modern or traditional wooden buildings, but rooms are always Japanese style, with Tatami (straw mat) floors and futons for sleeping laid out in the evening by the Ryokan staff. Minshuku are similar to Ryokan but family-run and with less formal service. Rooms are more simply-furnished and guests typically lay out their own futons.  Regardless if you have requested a double or a twin room you will get 2 separate futons to sleep on in your traditional Japanese room.

Ryokan rooms sometimes have private bathrooms. Minshuku offer toilet and bathing facilities ‘along the corridor’. Baths may be smaller rooms, used privately in turn by guests; or they may be larger communal bathing suites, one for men and one for women. As availability is limited we cannot guarantee or inform you in advance of booking which type of Japanese Inn you will overnight in.

We provide you with detailed information on the etiquette of staying in these beautiful traditional Japanese Inns.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is available to solo walkers and a limited number of single rooms are available, although a single/solo supplement is payable.

Meals

Japanese cuisine is the highlight of many people’s visit to Japan and this is especially the case on this tour. Your trip includes all breakfasts and 4 evening meals whilst on the trail.

Most meals will be Japanese cuisine, though breakfast in western-style hotels usually includes more familiar choices.

Dinner and breakfast in ryokan, minshuku and guesthouses are set meals, usually with a whole succession of different dishes which will delight you. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included with meals. Tipping is not customary at hotels and restaurants in Japan.

The route is very well waymarked (in English and Japanese) and we provide detailed route notes and maps on arrival in Japan. You should have no problem following the trail.

This trip is available to start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April and November.

Accommodations are busy and may charge extra during the following Japanese holiday periods: New Year (29 December to 04 January), Golden Week (29 April - 05 May), and O-bon Festival (13 - 15 August). Please note, that during these peak holiday times, prices will be confirmed according to what availability there is for certain accommodations.

Time of Year

It is tough to beat the spring months of April and May but the autumn colours in October and November are also great! The rainy season in Japan is from early June through to mid-July. During this time of year, it can become very humid but the rain does cool the temperatures down a bit to around 25-26°C. Short, tropical cyclones can also hit Japan between June and October. 

By Air: The best airport to arrive into is Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).

By Air: The best airport to depart from is Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX). 

Alternatively, you could take an internal flight or the shinkansen (bullet train) from Kyoto to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).

The West Japan Rail Company operates services between Kansai Airport and Osaka/Kyoto. There are timetables and route maps on the website. The Airport Express HARUKA (Kansai Airport Line) takes approx 75 mins from Osaka Airport to Kyoto.

Luggage transfer is not included during your walk as standard. There are two options for your luggage: Takkubin or Daily Luggage transfers.

Takkubin (sometimes Takkyubin or Takuhaibin). Recommended Option

Takkubin is a luggage courier service which you can only book once you are in Japan. It is reliable and well-priced at approximately £15 per journey (you will have 2 on this itinerary). The price is based per bag under 25kg/55lbs. 

Your bags will not be moved each day. On the Nakasendo Trail, you have access to your luggage only when in Kiso-Fukushima. The other nights you have to carry your essentials with you.

We recommend this method as you do not have to navigate the trains and buses with your main large suitcase. Additionally, in the accommodation you are provided with robes and shoes to wear in the traditional houses, so you only need your hiking gear and can travel very light.

With Takkubin, your Nakasendo luggage transfers and access would be:

• You send your luggage from Tokyo to Kiso-Fukushima. You travel by train & bus with your overnight things (and no heavy suitcase) Magome and walk to Tusmago. No access to main bag.
• Walk/travel to Kiso-Fukushimo. Access to main bag. 
• Send your main bag to Nara. Walk/travel to Matsumoto. No access to main bag
• Train to Nara. Reunited with luggage at hotel at end of day.

Exactly where you leave and collect your bags for Takkubin is clearly explained in your final information. It is a widely used and efficient service, with many tourists and locals using it every day.

Daily Luggage Transfers

This allows you to have access to your luggage to Matsumoto. It costs approximately £285 for up 4 bags, and needs to be pre-booked through Macs. The cost includes a maximum of 4 bags. You will have to take your suitcase with you on the trains and buses at the start from and end to Nara, which can be difficult if cumbersome.

With daily luggage transfers, your Nakasendo luggage transfers and access would be:

• You need to take your own luggage with you on the train from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa – where you leave your main bags at the tourist information. You then take the bus to Magome and walk to Tsumago. Access to main bags.
• Walk/Travel to Kiso-Fukushima. Access to main bags.
• Walk/Travel to Matsumoto. Access to main bags.
• Take your own bags on the train to Nara.