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Get a deeper experience of the ancient trail by hiking, cycling, and trying traditional crafts in the Kiso and Ina areas of Gifu and Nagano
Nagano Prefecture
This four-day tour will take you on a journey into the history and culture along the scenic Nakasendo trail, which was once an important route between Tokyo and Kyoto. Besides hiking the ancient pathway, you will also get to enjoy local foods and traditional handicrafts, cycling in the Kiso and Ina valleys and relaxing each evening in onsen hot springs.
One the first day, you will hike the Nakasendo between the two well-preserved post towns of Magome and Tsumago, a relatively gentle trek to start your adventure. The following day will be spent walking the Chuma Kaido, a lesser-known ancient trade route, where you will stop to learn how to make the region’s traditional cuisine.
The third day will include a kimono silk weaving factory tour and experience in the Ina Valley, where you will meet the artisans who create Ina tsumugi, a luxurious silk that has been designated a Japanese traditional craft. You will also get the chance to try weaving it yourself. On the same day, you will take the scenic Komagatake Ropeway up to explore the Senjojiki Curl, a bowl-shaped glacial valley in the Central Japanese Alps.
On the final day, you will go on an e-bike cycling tour of the “phantom Nakasendo,” a section of the original route which was closed after only 15 years of use. Ryohei Oguchi, an accomplished round-the-world cyclist, will be your guide, along with a translator. The tour ends at Narai, one of the prettiest post towns along the Nakasendo.
How to get there
The tour meets at Nakatsugawa Station, which is 50 minutes from Nagoya Station via the JR Shinano express train.
2-1, Ota-machi, Nakatsugawa-shi, Gifu-ken
