Nakasendo Highlights – 4 Days

DISTANCE - BELOW AVERAGE

Distance is not a major consideration in your training program. However, you should still incorporate some long walks as it will increase your cardiovascular fitness.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength.  Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

TERRAIN

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain walks is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

UNEVEN TERRAIN

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a blend of physical and mental readiness.

Begin with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is especially important, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement.

The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

TRAVEL FROM TOKYO TO NAGOYA

Take the Tokaido Line Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Nagoya. Approximate travel time of 1hr 45mins.

TRAVEL FROM OSAKA TO NAGOYA

Take the local train from Osaka to Shin-Osaka. Take the Tokaido Line Shinkansen bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya. Approximate travel time of 48mins.

TRAVEL FROM NAGOYA TO KISO-FUKUSHIMA

On arrival in Nagoya, take the JR Limited Express Shinano train to Kiso-Fukushima scenic views of the Kiso Valley. Approx. travel time 1 hr 30 mins. Cost (if no JR Rail Pass) is approx AUD $37-$55 depending on class.

The free “Japan Direct” rail app is very useful. Enter your station of origin and destination and all services, travel times, and costs are displayed. There is also an option to select for routes when travelling “with Japan Rail Pass”, too.

Once you arrive in Kiso-Fukushima it is a short walk to the hotel (16 minutes). Alternatively a taxi will cost $7-$10 and are usually available at the station, or the station staff can help call one.

Tip – if you have not invested in a JR Rail Pass (only available outside Japan), you can save some money by buying a Non-Reserved Seat on the Shinkansen rather than a Reserved Seat. Check the Japan Transit Planner website (https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/) for approximate travel times and pricing.

You can get tickets from the JR ticket window just before the Shinkansen barrier gates. Even if you have a JR Rail Pass (which covers the cost of all JR line travel), you will need to show some sort of ticket to indicate your seat.

JR Rail Pass

Whether or not to purchase a Japan Rail Pass depends on how long you are planning to stay in Japan and what other areas you want to visit. We would recommend roughly calculating your train fares for the trip and comparing this with the JR Pass cost to see if it is worth purchasing for your particular itinerary. The alternative to a JR Pass would be to buy tickets as you go.

Note that the JR Rail Pass cannot be used on many local bus services and cannot be used on non-JR services such as non-JR train networks and the Tokyo metro

Should I invest in a JR Rail Pass? We highly recommend that you only invest in a JR Rail pass if you are planning to extend your travel in Japan. As mentioned, the cost of train travel is provided when using Japan Transit Planner website, Japan Direct rail app or Japan Travel by NaviTime app (which also allows you to search bus timetables). You can choose the departure station, arrival station, and time. The results give you the name of the train, platform number, total cost, duration of journey, total distance, and transfers. The JR pass is available on several train services in the Kiso Valley and beyond but for some local services it will not be available, and you will need to pay for a ticket.

DEPARTING FROM KISO FUKUSHIMA

At the end of your holiday, when you depart from Kiso Fukushima there are plenty of trains that can take you to Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo. Check the Japan Transit Planner website (https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/) for approximate travel times and pricing.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

On this walk we use public transport (buses or trains) when required to access the best walks in the Kiso and beyond. The journey times vary from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on the day. Rest assured you will have a local guide to assist you through his process.

AVAILABILITY

Autumn and Spring are the best times to walk.

WEATHER

From the end of  March, the temperature begins to increase. In summer it’s quite warm and humid but still good for walking,  particularly if you enjoy warmer temperatures and taking a dip in a stream.

The walk is not offered in winter as it snows and the tracks are not easy to follow. As walkers, we believe spring and autumn are the best times as the weather is perfect for walking.

See the weather information about the local average weather at different times of the year.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips requiring international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For over 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know that you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks from departure outlining all the fine details and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Due to limitations of catering at the accommodation, unfortunately we are unable to cater for dairy free, vegan or gluten free diets, or those unable to eat fish stock.