TRAVEL TO NAKATSUGAWA
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.
TRAVEL FROM TOKYO TOÂ NAGOYA
Take the Tokaido Line Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Nagoya.
Approx. travel time 1hr 45mins.
Tip – try to get a window seat on the right-hand side of the train for possible views of Mt Fuji on a clear day.
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. Approx. travel time 48mins.
TRAVEL FROM NAGOYA TO NAKATSUGAWA
On arrival in Nagoya, take the JR Chuo Line (Rapid) from Nagoya to Nakatsugawa. The Rapid service stops less often than the Local service. Both are of the same price and stop in Nakatsugawa. Approx. travel time 1 ¼ hr. Cost (if no JR Rail Pass) approx AUD $18.
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.
HIGH SEASON CHARGES
In Japan, there are some periods when locals travel en masse as they are on holiday. These times are best avoided as the accommodation costs escalate considerably (more than double). It would make a lot of sense if you could avoid these times. Otherwise, see below for high-season periods. This could lead to the cost of the trip increasing by 30% or more.
NEW YEAR PERIOD – 30TH DECEMBER TO 4TH OF JANUARYÂ
GOLDEN WEEK – GENERALLY BETWEEN 29TH APRIL TO 5TH MAY
OBON PERIOD – MID-AUGUST ( BETWEEN THE 10TH TO 20TH OF AUGUST)
DEPARTING FROM YOKOKAWA OR KARUIZAWA TO TOKYO
DEPARTING FROM YOKOKAWA OR KARUIZAWA TO TOKYO
At the end of your holiday, you will have details for travelling back to Tokyo from either Yokokawa Train Station or Karuizawa by train.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
For most days on this walk you will need to take some form of public transport whether that is a bus or a train to your accommodation for the night or to start or shorten the days walk. The journey times vary from 10mins to 50mins depending on the day. On the day when you travel to Karuizawa the train journey will take 2.5 – 3hrs. We provide a comprehensive public transport document with detailed instructions on which buses and trains to catch. Please note these trips are unable to be pre-booked and you will need to pay directly on the day they are not included in your package.
If you have any questions about the public transport on this holiday please feel welcome to call or email the office.
LUGGAGE TRANSFERS
This walk has the luggage transferred daily however please note that on Day 5, your main luggage will be shipped in advance to your post tour accommodation (i.e. the destination you’re travelling to when the walk ends on day 6). You will need to organise yourself accordingly and keep a few overnight things for your night in Karuizawa. Your day pack should be sufficiently large to accommodate these items when walking.
Why can’t the luggage be transferred daily from Kiso Fukushima? Because we use a local courier service for all transfers between Nakatsugawa and Kiso Fukushima. However, outside of this region we must use a larger National courier service and they cannot provide same day service.
AVAILABILITY
Autumn and Spring are the best times to walk. Summer is good too, it can get warm but it is possible to take a swim as you walk. Winter can be a bit more challenging due to snow and less daylight hours but it is still possible. You will need snow gear. Please keep in mind some accommodations close down from late November to February.
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 offered in winter, but bring some warm clothes and good rain gear. The area is just as beautiful, if not more and is not busy at all. Soaking in an outside onsen in the cool of the night is one of those real authentic Japanese experiences that you can look forward to after a big day on the track.
As walkers, we believe spring and autumn to be the best time 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 nearly 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, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.