Take a stroll into Japan’s past along the Nakasendo Way trail, an old traveller’s road from the Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868. Nakasendo which literally means “Central Mountain Road” or “Inner Mountain Path, a trail that was once connected by a string of villages that provided lodging and sustenance for shoguns, retainers, samurai and daimyo (feudal lords)

The trail and its villages were largely abandoned in the 19th century, however, in the 1960s a campaign began to remove all the modern buildings and those left from the Edo period (1600-1868) were restored, streets repaved with period stone and the Nakasendo once again began offering period-correct food and shelter for walkers.

Nakasendo Highlights 5 days

Self-guided

Walk ancient stone trails: stay in Japanese Ryokans, authentic dinners and breakfasts: includes the Kiso Valley section: peaceful Japanese rural landscape: shrines: waterfalls.

Self-guided 5 Days From $2155 Moderate What's Included

Nakasendo Highlights 5 days

BACK
What's Included
  • Walk with a light pack, with luggage transfers most days from accommodation to accommodation (please see Luggage Transfer section in General Info for details)
  • 4 nights stay in a family-run or small traditional minshuku, ryokan or hotel
  • Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day
  • Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days
  • Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s authored comprehensive track notes and  maps
  • 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground

Nakasendo Highlights 6 days

Self-guided

Hike over ancient stone trails; Japanese Minshukus and Ryokans, dinners and breakfasts; Kiso Valley; peaceful Japanese rural landscape; cedar forest and waterfalls

Self-guided 6 Days From $2695 Moderate What's Included

Nakasendo Highlights 6 days

BACK
What's Included
  • 5 nights stay in a family-run or small traditional minshuku, ryokan or hotel
  • Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day (except one night in Karuizawa where there are so many options that you should decide)
  • Walk with a light pack, with luggage transfers most days from accommodation to accommodation (please see Luggage Transfer section in General Info for details)
  • Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days
  • Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s authored comprehensive track notes and  maps
  • 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground

Nakasendo Way & the Kaida Plateau 6 days

Self-guided

Ancient stone pavements: authentic Japanese Ryokans, dinners and breakfasts: the Kaido Plateau: includes the Kiso Valley section: cedar forest and waterfalls

Self-guided 6 Days From $2695 Moderate What's Included

Nakasendo Way & the Kaida Plateau 6 days

BACK
What's Included
  • Explore the beautiful Kaida Kogen Plateau in the hills north of Kiso-Fukushima
  • 5 nights stay in a family-run or small traditional Minshuku, Ryokan or Hotel
  • Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day
  • Walk with a light pack, with luggage transfers most days from accommodation to accommodation (please see Luggage Transfer section in General Info for details)
  • Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days
  • Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s authored comprehensive track notes and  maps
  • 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground

Nakasendo Way 7 days

Self-guided

Ancient paved paths, walk through well-preserved authentic Japanese towns and via cypress and cedar forest and peaceful rural Japanese scenery: stay in family-owned Ryokans

Self-guided 7 Days From $3095 Moderate What's Included

Nakasendo Way 7 days

BACK
What's Included
  • 6 nights stay in an intimate family-run or smallish traditional Japanese ryokan accommodation (this walk omits the last night of the 8-day trip)
  • Explore the beautiful Kaida Kogen Plateau in the hills north of Kiso-Fukushima
  • Walk with a light pack, with luggage transfers most days from accommodation to accommodation (please see Luggage Transfer section in General Info for details)
  • Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day
  • Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days
  • Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s authored comprehensive track notes and  maps
  • 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground

Nakasendo & the Kaida Plateau 7 days

Self-guided

Walk ancient stone pavements and dirt trails: authentic Japanese Ryokans, dinners and breakfasts: stunning walk up to the Kaido Plateau: includes the Kiso Valley section

Self-guided 7 Days From $3095 Moderate What's Included

Nakasendo & the Kaida Plateau 7 days

BACK
What's Included
  • Explore the beautiful Kaida Kogen Plateau in the hills north of Kiso-Fukushima
  • 6 nights stay in a family-run or small traditional minshuku, ryokan or hotel
  • Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day (except one night in Karuizawa where there are so many options that you should decide)
  • Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days
  • Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s authored comprehensive track notes and  maps
  • Walk with a light pack, with luggage transfersmost days from accommodation to accommodation (please see Luggage Transfer section in General Info for details)
  • 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground

Nakasendo Way 8 days

Self-guided

Nakasendo trail, one of Japan’s most famous hiking routes: Breathtaking scenery: ancient paved paths: well preserved authentic Japanese towns: shrines and waterfalls…

Self-guided 8 Days From $3395 Moderate What's Included

Nakasendo Way 8 days

BACK
What's Included
  • Explore the beautiful Kaida Kogen Plateau in the hills north of Kiso-Fukushima
  • Walk with a light pack, with luggage transfers most days from accommodation to accommodation (please see Luggage Transfer section in General Info for details)
  • 7 nights stay in a family-run or small traditional Japanese Minshuku, Ryokan or Hotel
  • Superb traditional multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner each day (except one night in Karuizawa where there are so many options that you should decide)
  • Itineraries can be flexible to shorten the walking or slow the trip down by adding more rest days
  • Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s authored comprehensive track notes and  maps
  • 24/7 support from our representatives on the ground

OVERVIEW

We offer 6 walking trips on the Nakasendo Way, all of which have you walk and enjoy the Japanese countryside along with exploring the authentic Japanese towns. This is an immersive Japanese cultural experience, where you will stay and dine as the Japanese have done for centuries, sleeping on a futon on a tatami mat floor and eating local authentic multi-course Japanese cuisine each day. For both dinner and breakfast.

We offer 6 walking trips, many of which have similar walking days, as we have provided shorter versions of all the walks by allowing you to start your onward journey immediately after the walk. We know many people are time poor and this makes sense for them. However, we highly recommend staying in situ at the end of the walk, as this allows you the time to integrate the experience in a relaxed way.

READ MORE

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • All accommodation on the walk in authentic Japanese Ryokans and guesthouses
  • All multi-course dinners and breakfasts on the walk
  • All luggage transport (see the luggage transfer section on individual walk pages for specific details)
  • Most transfers on the walk, there are a few short low-cost journeys on public transport that can’t be pre-booked.
  • Comprehensive walk notes written and curated by Auswalk to assure that you can walk with confidence.
  • 24/7 support from the Auswalk team on the ground
  • Insulated lunch bag and silicon lunch box and eco spork

walking essentials

As with any journey, it is essential to be prepared for your walking holiday. While we will be transporting your luggage from accommodation to accommodation, you will still be carrying a lightweight day pack with you. Here is what we suggest that you carry with you each day:

  • Walking notes, a map, and a map case
  • Insulated lunch pack and silicon container (when supplied)
  • Quality waterproof jacket with a hood
  • Warm jumper or jacket
  • Sunhat
  • Please be sure to have comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunscreen (at least 15+)
  • At least 2 litres of water
  • First aid kit
  • Toilet paper
  • Some Japanese money
  • Mobile phone (please note that reception is not available in all walk areas)
  • Personal insect repellent, band-aids, and a small container of salt mixed with rice grains
  • Personal necessities (example: required medication)

Now that we have the essentials packed, it is time to think of those additional items that may be worth packing along with you. These may include and are not limited to:

  • Waterproof over-trousers
  • Warm hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera (with an extra battery or sim cards)
  • Binoculars
  • Small torch
  • Walking sticks
  • Thermos (for hot drinks)
  • Additional snacks
Overview

OVERVIEW

We offer 6 walking trips on the Nakasendo Way, all of which have you walk and enjoy the Japanese countryside along with exploring the authentic Japanese towns. This is an immersive Japanese cultural experience, where you will stay and dine as the Japanese have done for centuries, sleeping on a futon on a tatami mat floor and eating local authentic multi-course Japanese cuisine each day. For both dinner and breakfast.

We offer 6 walking trips, many of which have similar walking days, as we have provided shorter versions of all the walks by allowing you to start your onward journey immediately after the walk. We know many people are time poor and this makes sense for them. However, we highly recommend staying in situ at the end of the walk, as this allows you the time to integrate the experience in a relaxed way.

READ MORE
What’s Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • All accommodation on the walk in authentic Japanese Ryokans and guesthouses
  • All multi-course dinners and breakfasts on the walk
  • All luggage transport (see the luggage transfer section on individual walk pages for specific details)
  • Most transfers on the walk, there are a few short low-cost journeys on public transport that can’t be pre-booked.
  • Comprehensive walk notes written and curated by Auswalk to assure that you can walk with confidence.
  • 24/7 support from the Auswalk team on the ground
  • Insulated lunch bag and silicon lunch box and eco spork
walking essentials

walking essentials

As with any journey, it is essential to be prepared for your walking holiday. While we will be transporting your luggage from accommodation to accommodation, you will still be carrying a lightweight day pack with you. Here is what we suggest that you carry with you each day:

  • Walking notes, a map, and a map case
  • Insulated lunch pack and silicon container (when supplied)
  • Quality waterproof jacket with a hood
  • Warm jumper or jacket
  • Sunhat
  • Please be sure to have comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunscreen (at least 15+)
  • At least 2 litres of water
  • First aid kit
  • Toilet paper
  • Some Japanese money
  • Mobile phone (please note that reception is not available in all walk areas)
  • Personal insect repellent, band-aids, and a small container of salt mixed with rice grains
  • Personal necessities (example: required medication)

Now that we have the essentials packed, it is time to think of those additional items that may be worth packing along with you. These may include and are not limited to:

  • Waterproof over-trousers
  • Warm hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera (with an extra battery or sim cards)
  • Binoculars
  • Small torch
  • Walking sticks
  • Thermos (for hot drinks)
  • Additional snacks

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ENQUIRE NOW

If you’re looking for further information on any of our walking holidays please fill out the enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

Get in touch