Nakasendo Trail - Kyoto to Tokyo

There really is no better way to discover rural Japan than on foot, at your own pace. Wonderful scenery, rich tradition and culture, beautiful lodgings and amazing food make the Nakasendo Trail a unique experience. With the tradition of Kyoto and energy of Tokyo thrown in, you can look forward to an amazing trip.

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 route is graded as moderate. The walking is mostly on paved village paths and unpaved mountain trails, with some gentle ascents and descents. On most days you will be walking for between 2 and 6 hours and ideally, you should be a regular walker to get the most from the trip or do some training prior to the trip. The walk is highly customisable and we can advise which days to leave out if you want a shorter or more gentle walk.

In Kyoto and Tokyo, we use carefully selected 3 or 4* hotels.  We use local family-run accommodations and traditional Ryokan and Minshuku Inns on the walking section.

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.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

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 the Nakasendo Trail. 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 and minshuku 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 Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX). 

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

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.

By Air: The best airport to depart from is Tokyo Narita (NRT). 

Alternatively, you could take the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo back to Kyoto, and then onto Osaka Airport  

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. Whilst this is different to many of our tours, there are important reasons for this. Many of the smaller accommodations we use along the trails aren't set up to handle larger suitcases. They often have delicate tatami flooring and narrow hallways or staircases that can be easily damaged by heavy or large bags. 

We would encourage you to pack light and bring only what you truly need for the walk. All accommodations along the trail provide basic amenities such as towels, toothbrushes, soap, etc., ensuring a comfortable stay without the need to carry too much. Most of our partner inns also provide yukata, which can be worn as pyjamas—another great way to keep luggage light! Additionally, many accommodations offer laundry facilities, so with just a bit of planning, it’s easy to pack a minimal amount of clothing and schedule in a washing day mid-tour.

There are two options for your luggage and for the reasons detailed above we do highly recommend the Takkubin as the preferred option.

Takkubin (sometimes Takkyubin or Takuhaibin)

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 Kyoto (or from wherever you are before you start your walk) 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 the destination after your walk (Tokyo or other destination). Walk/travel to Matsumoto. No access to main bag.
• Walk to Yokokawa. Train to Tokyo. 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 until to you get to Matsumoto, but no further. It costs approximately £285 for up to 4 bags, and needs to be pre-booked through Macs (Please note - Must be booked at least 22 days before travel). You will have to take your suitcase with you on the trains and buses at the start and end, which can be difficult if cumbersome.

You can combine this with a Takkubin service from Matsumoto to your final destination (Tokyo or a city of your choice). With this combination there would be only 1 night that you would not be able to access your main bags.

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 Kyoto (or from wherever you come from to the start of the trail) to Nakatsugawa – where you leave your main bags at the tourist office. 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.
• You have to carry your bags from here OR use Takkubin from Matsumoto to your end destination (Tokyo). You transfer to Karuizawa. No access to main bags.
• Walk to Yokokawa. Train to Tokyo. Reunited with luggage at hotel at end of day if you have sent your luggage by Takkubin from Matsumoto.