2 min summary Best time to visit Map & highlights Things to see & do Nakasendo Kumano Kodo Shikoku Pilgrimage Honshu Nikko & Yumoto Onsen Tips

The Nakasendo Walking Trail

This was 500km of feudal forays through mountains and valley, along ridges and through ancient forests. With emperors and their entourages stopping at post towns between Kyoto and Tokyo along the way, many of which still remain unchanged. It dates back to the 17th century and, in many spots, feels as if it has been locked in time. Read more about ways in which you can include it in your walking holiday plans. You don’t have to do all 500km by the way to get a sense of its greatness.

Home\Asia\Japan

Nakasendo Walking Trail

The history

If the Kumano Kodo trail was all about creating a spiritual route through the mountains, this Nakasendo Trail was more about creating a feudal one. At over 500km long, it was established in the 17th century to give feudal lords, samurai and merchants access between Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo) as the powers were being transferred from one to the other. The name refers to the topography of the route, and translates literally as ‘central mountain route’. There are 69 ‘post towns’ or resting places en route, where you can stay in traditional ryokan inns, bathe in hot springs, and bask in mountain magnificence. Most holidays here cover small, easy sections, linking them with train journeys rather than taking on the whole thing.

See all our Japan walking Holidays

Give us a call

Our Japan walking Holidays

The hike

Although most walkers cover the traditional route between Tokyo and Kyoto, or vice versa, they use Japan’s efficient public transport system to join up some of the dots, and then just hike the most stunning sections, staying in post towns along the way. These highlights include the Kiso Valley, the starting point for those beginning their journey in Tokyo, and where the post towns of Magome, Tsumago and Narai are well known, ancient spots to spend a night in traditional inns. This mountainous terrain is enveloped by the Japanese Alps, and in Magome, for example, you have great views out to Mount Ena.

There are some long days on this walking holiday, but usually well balanced out with shorter ones the next day. Such as the 18km from the post town of Tsumago to Nojiri, where you meet a train to take you to your bed for the night at nearby Kiso-Fukushima, complete with hot springs. Then the next day is only a 7km hike over the Torii Pass to Narai. This was traditionally the halfway point along the trail and the place where travellers’ documents were inspected and security measures put in place, to ensure that there were no revolts or insurrections planned against the feudal regime. Narai, the post town known as the ‘town of a thousand houses’ is a wonderful place to spend a day delving into the Nakasendo Trail’s history.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Japan walking or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

The holiday

Walking holidays that take in the Nakasendo Trail include time in both Tokyo and Kyoto, and often facilitate walking tours around both. In Kyoto, for example, you will visit the Sanjo-ohashi Bridge, which is at the western end of the Nakasendo Trail, and the Golden Pavilion. You may also take in a trip to the ancient city of Nara, which has the highest number of buildings designated National Treasures in Japan. One of the most stunning walks here is through its central park, home to Daibutsu, the largest Buddha statue in Japan, located in one of the largest wooden buildings in the world too.

You can hike along the Nakasendo Trail throughout the year, although one of the most underrated times to do so is in winter when the trails are quiet, the air is crisp and skies are blue, and the traditional villages are beyond picture postcard pretty, dusted in snow. With expert local guides you can go winter walking or snowshoeing along the marked ways, and end your day simmering in a steaming thermal bath, with snowflakes falling all around.

More about Japan walking

Best time to go walking in Japan

It has exquisite qualities all year round really, so when trying to work out the best time to go walking in Japan, there are two times to be wary of.

Japan walking holidays travel guide

This walking holidays in Japan guide opens up a world of ancient long distance walking trails, summits seeking opportunities as well as city walking tours.

Japan walking routes

From the iconic Nakasendo and Kumano Kodo long distance walking trails to the top of Mount Fuji, and then back down to sea level on Shikoku Island’s pilgrimage trails, you can walk your bamboo socks off in Japan.

Japan walking holiday activities

As if walking in these magnificent mountains and around its many coastlines isn’t enough, the joys of Japan just keep on coming.

Kumano Kodo Walking Trail

Over 250km of hiking from shrine to shrine, temple to temple, the Kumano Kodo walking trail is like a journey through Japan’s spiritual history.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage

The epic Shikoku Pilgrimage trail loops around the smallest of Japan’s major islands, taking in dozens of temples and offering the faithful a path to enlightenment.

Walking holidays in Honshu

Walking holidays in Honshu are a fantastic way to delve deeper into the culture and traditions, especially in rural areas, of Japan’s largest island.

Walking holidays in Nikko & Yumoto Onsen

Walking holidays in Nikko and Yumoto Onsen explore some of Japan’s most attractive landscapes, north of Tokyo in a national park that is renowned for the seasonal colours of its foliage.