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Gentle
Suitable for people who enjoy easy-paced walks or exploring the countryside on foot.
Find out more...
Gentle
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- Duration: 11 days from the UK
- On Trek: 5 days
- Private Departures Available
Flight inclusive from £4575, Land only from £3495
Discover the stunning winter landscapes of rural Japan as you walk and snowshoe between the ancient post-towns and villages along the Nakasendo Trail.
Highlights
- Trek along the most scenic sections of Japan's Nakasendo trail with snowshoes provided for crossing the highest points
- Savour crisp winter landscapes, picturesque villages and historic post-towns at the most peaceful time of the year
- Stay in traditional Japanese inns in the country with hot spring baths and exquisite cuisine
- Enjoy time to explore Kyoto and Tokyo – two of Japan’s most enthralling cities
Reviews
Winter is a terrific season to visit Japan and winter on the Nakasendo trail is a particularly magical experience. With snow-clad peaks and potentially snow-covered paths, the peace and serenity of this popular trail is in the winter months is truly wonderful. Whilst the weather in Kyoto and Tokyo in winter is generally cool and dry with little snow, it is a different story in the Japanese Alps. Here, it is an enchanting experience to walk through glistening-white forests to arrive at a traditional inn where you can warm up in the hot spring baths (onsen) and experience traditional hospitality. On some days, you may need to use snowshoes to cross the higher parts of the trail. These will be provided for you and you will receive full instruction on how to walk in them – it’s not difficult!
Starting your journey in Kyoto, with time to explore some of its fascinating streets and sights, you travel to the remote Kiso valley to start walking for five days on the Nakasendo Trail: one of Japan's principal trade routes during the time of the shoguns. The trail originated in the 8th century and linked Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo), winding through secluded, wooded mountain scenery, across the heart of Honshu Island. Your trek ends near Matsumoto with the added bonus of a visit to its famous castle – one of the oldest in Japan it is known as the ‘crow castle’ due to its distinctive black exterior.
The final stop on your holiday is Tokyo, where you can visit the Nihonbashi which was once at the eastern end of the Nakasendo trail that you have just walked. You will also have a day free to explore this fascinating and dynamic city.
This itinerary has been carefully created to immerse you in Japanese life and culture - both traditional and contemporary. Led by your expert guide, you will travel on the efficiently run local trains and buses - an essential ingredient of modern-day Japan - whilst your main luggage will be sent by courier on a couple of occasions to make the road and train transfers more relaxed.
A highlight of the holiday is the traditional accommodation you will enjoy whilst trekking. Villagers have converted local houses into inns or minshuku and ryokans - these have Japanese-style rooms with tatami mat floors and futon beds and many have communal hot spring baths for your relaxation. At the end of each day's trek, you will be warmly welcomed by your local hosts who take great pride in their beautifully kept accommodation and provide the highest levels of service. Exquisite meals are prepared using the freshest local ingredients that showcase the very best regional cuisine.
Private Departures
Nakasendo Trail Winter Walking Holiday, Japan - Private Departures
If you would prefer to travel just with your partner, friends or family, we can arrange a private departure of this holiday. You follow the same itinerary, but travel on dates that suit you. Alternatively we can include elements of this holiday in a bespoke Tailor Made itinerary. Contact our friendly team for details and prices, and to make a booking.
At a glance
Gentle
Duration: 11 days from the UK
On Trek: 5 days
Max. Altitude: 1,196m/3,9267ft, Torii Pass, Day 7
Private Departures Available
Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 4 clients
Maximum group size: 13
Accommodation types: Hotels, minshuku and ryokan
Meal arrangements: All breakfasts and 7 dinners are included. Lunches are not included and your guide will help you organise your lunches which may be picnics or meals taken in local restaurants or cafes.
Itinerary overview
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | Fly to Kyoto. Day at leisure. |
| 4 | Drive to Nakatsugawa in the Kiso Valley and begin Nakasendo Trail. Trek to Magome. |
| 5-8 | On the Nakasendo Trail ending in Kiso-Hirasawa. Travel to Matsumoto. Visit Matsumoto Castle. |
| 9-10 | Travel to Tokyo. Day at leisure. |
| 11 | Fly from Tokyo to London. |
Leader: Local Leader, Japan
Your trip will be led by an English-speaking Japanese guide. They are all highly experienced, and will greatly enhance your experience on holiday. They will both guide you on the trail, and accompany you on all train and road journeys.
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly London to Kyoto
Fly to Kyoto in Japan on an overnight flight from London.
Overnight: In flight
Day 2 - Arrive Itami Airport. Group transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Itami Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel, conveniently located in the Central Business District. Please note that you may not be able to check in to your hotel until 2pm. However, you will still be able to use the hotel's luggage storage facilities as well as the hotel's bar/restaurant. You may also like to go out to explore what the city has to offer.
Overnight: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Or Similar
Day 3 - Day at leisure. Group welcome dinner.
On your first full day in Japan you are free to explore the welcoming and easily navigated city of Kyoto. From your centrally located hotel you can explore the traditional areas such as Gion and maybe some of the temples that are often surrounded by traditional Japanese gardens. We would highly recommend visiting the Nishiki food market, and perhaps one of the very popular vintage shops selling second-hand kimonos.
You are of course free to spend the day relaxing and recovering from the long flight!
In the evening you will meet your guide who will take you out to a welcome dinner.
Overnight: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Or Similar
Day 4 - Transfer to Nakatsugawa, Walk to Magome – 8.3km/5.2miles, 400m ascent/200 m descent, 3 hours.
Today you begin your journey along the Nakasendo Trail, starting in the remote Kiso Valley region. Over the next five days you will walk or snowshoe from village to village, staying overnight in small, family-run country inns (ryokan and minshuku).
Firstly, today you travel by bus from Kyoto to the town of Nakatsugawa, one of the old post towns on the Nakasendo Trail. The original main street through the centre of the town retains its historical sake shops, restaurants and old wooden storehouses. From town you will walk to the next post town of Ochiai. From here you will climb through cedar forests and walk a section of ancient cobblestones from the original trail, dating back to the historical Edo period. You descend to Magome and the charming family run inn, where you will stay for the night.
Your luggage will be sent ahead this morning from Kyoto to Kiso-Fukushima (where you will stay on Day 6) allowing you to carry just a light daypack for a couple of days, with your overnight essentials.
Overnight: Minshuku
Day 5 - Walk from Magome to Tsumago – 8.3km/5.2miles, 325m ascent/1,070ft, 3 hours.
From Magome, you walk to Tsumago along one of the prettiest and best-preserved parts of the Nakasendo Trail. You may encounter snow crossing the Magome-toge Pass but you will be rewarded with opportunities for some fine photographs. In Tsumago you will have lunch - gohei mochi, skewered sticky rice covered in a sweet paste of miso, sesame and walnuts are recommended. Tsumago is known as one of the best preserved post towns of the Edo period in Japan.
In the afternoon you will have time to explore its picturesque main street with its many small shops and lovely old wooden architecture. Tsumago has been preserved by strict self-imposed rules that prohibit the sale, rental or destruction of these handsome houses, and power lines are hidden to maintain its charm. It’s a living museum, but one which is still inhabited by the families who may well have lived here for many generations.
Overnight: Minshuku
Day 6 - Explore Tsumago. Walk to Nagiso - 3.7km/2.3miles,100m ascent/120m descent, 1 hour. Train to Kiso-Fukushima.
In the morning you may explore Tsumago further including a visit to the Wakihonjin Museum. This museum, housed in a building dating back to the 19th century and formerly an inn, has exhibits on the region’s history, including the Nakasendo Way.
After lunch your walk is a short but enjoyable stroll from Tsumago to Nagiso along country lanes. Nagiso is an attractive small town with many pretty buildings.
In Nagiso you will board a local train for the brief journey to Kiso-Fukushima. Kiso-Fukushima is a delightful post town, once the location of a checkpoint on the Nakasendo Trail and one of the most important in all Japan. You may stroll through the town before heading out to your comfortable ryokan. Your ryokan tonight prides itself on its wonderful cuisine and its terrific thermal baths – a perfect way to warm up on a winter evening. Your luggage will be arriving here today.
Overnight: Ryokan
Day 7 - Train from Kiso-Fukushima. Walk or snowshoe from Yabuhara to Narai over the Toril-toge Pass - 6.2km/4miles, 345m ascent/270m descent, 3 hours.
On this, your fourth day on the Nakasendo Trail, you take the 15 minute train journey to Yabuhara to start the day’s walk. (Your luggage will be sent ahead ready for your arrival in Tokyo on day 9).
The path from Yabuhara to Narai is the most demanding section of your walk. You climb on an ancient stone path up to the Torii-toge Pass, through dense forest and passing various shrines and monuments along the way. Along this stretch you may encounter some of the deepest snow on the trip; if the snow is deep enough, you will be provided with snowshoes to make the crossing of the pass easier. There is then a delightful, gentle walk down in beautiful forest, finally passing the red shrine of Shizume Jinja, welcoming you as you reach the charming village of Narai. You will arrive in time to explore Narai, a beautiful traditional village and to have lunch at one of the small local restaurants.
Your overnight accommodation in Narai is at a family-run inn in the village.
Overnight: Minshuku
Day 8 - Walk from Narai to Kiso-Hirasawa - 2.5km/1.6miles, 1 hour. Travel by train to Matsumoto. Visit Matsumoto Castle.
Your trek on the Nakasendo Trail ends today with a short stroll from Narai to Kiso-Hirasawa, a walk which takes just an hour. Kiso-Hirasawa is famous for its locally produced lacquerware, simple but elegant and considered some of the finest in the region - a fact which is reflected in the high prices. There are many small shops selling beautifully crafted tableware and furniture and there may be a chance to see these skilled artisans at work.
You then travel by train to Matsumoto, a town nestled in Japan’s Central Alps region. Here you will visit the town’s main attraction: Matsumoto Castle (Matsumotojo). This castle is one of the oldest in Japan being one of the most complete and beautiful among Japan's original castles. Unsurprisingly it has been designated a national treasure. Built in the late 16th, early 17th centuries, the castle features a beautiful, unique, black exterior with lacquered walls. Hence, it is often referred to as the ‘Crow Castle’ or Black Castle’.
Later, you head to your onsen accommodation for the evening, with time to soothe your muscles before tomorrow’s travels.
Overnight: Ryokan
Day 9 - Travel to Tokyo by train. Half day walking tour of Tokyo.
After breakfast, you leave your accommodation and travel by train to Tokyo.
Arriving in Tokyo, you will enjoy a half-day walking tour of the city. You will visit Nihonbashi, the starting point of the Nakasendo Trail. The Nihonbashi Bridge marks the beginning of five of Japan’s major historical highways, including the Nakasendo, and it is the point from which all distances are measured to the capital. Nihonbashi district served as a thriving post town and major mercantile centre where people and cultures from all over the country would come together. You will also visit some areas around Tokyo’s older districts before continuing to your hotel to check-in. Your luggage should be waiting for you.
In the evening, there is a farewell dinner with your guide.
Overnight: The Gate Kaminarimon By Hulic Or Similar, Tokyo
Day 10 - Day at leisure in Tokyo.
Today you are free to explore Tokyo. This huge city has numerous museums and temples to explore, or you may prefer to visit some of the famous shopping areas.
Overnight: The Gate Kaminarimon By Hulic Or Similar, Tokyo
Day 11 - Transfer to airport and fly to UK.
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport for your flight home.
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Optional supplements
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Single Room Supplement
From £360
No Surcharge Guarantee
No surcharges will be applied to your holiday after you book. Prices on this website are updated regularly. The Flight Inclusive holiday price, or Land Only holiday price, will be confirmed to you at the time you make your booking. There will be no surcharges after your booking has been confirmed.
Flight inclusive holidays
The 'flight inclusive' holiday prices shown on this website are based upon our preferred airlines and the best priced economy class fares we are able to secure at the time of publication.
We will be able to advise on fares with alternative airlines, upgrades to Business Class, and the options for flights from regional UK airports, please contact us for more details.
Booking your holiday
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Deposit
From £1,100.00
For the majority of our holidays, a deposit payment of £400.00 per person is required to secure your place(s), however a small number of holidays require a higher deposit - please refer to the holiday itinerary for more details. If the holiday departs within 60 days, a deposit of £1,000.00 per person is required.
Book now!
- Book your small group holiday securely online – click the ‘Book’ button next to your chosen departure or visit our How to Book page
- Complete and return a Booking Form available to download here.
- Call us on +44 (0)1453 844400 and one of our travel specialists will talk you through the booking process.
What’s included
- 9 x breakfasts and 7 x dinners
- Good standard hotel accommodation in the main towns on a twin-share basis
- Traditional minshuku, ryokan and shukubo (temple) accommodation, in outlying places, on a twin-share basis
- An English-speaking Japanese leader
- Baggage transfers as per the itinerary
- All road transport, by private vehicles, buses and trains
- Sightseeing as specified
- Economy class return air fares from the UK & UK Departure Tax (flight inclusive only)
- Single, timed group airport transfers for international flights on arrival and departure
- Carbon offsetting with the Ecoan Tree Planting Project (for clients taking our flight inclusive option)
- A free Mountain Kingdoms Water-to-Go bottle
- Use of snowshoes, over-gloves, gaiters & walking poles
What’s not included
- Travel insurance
