Still, to the untrained eye, hiking in rural Japan feels remarkably foreign and disconnected to the modern world. And of course, supporting local businesses and communities is the ideal way to give back on your travels and secure the future of these destinations for generations to come. Getting there. Hike one of Japan's ancient routes, the Nakasendo Way, the road through the central mountains. Julian Ryall travelled with Walk Japan (walkjapan.com). Steeped in history, much of this walk weaves through the picturesque kiso valley. However, the post up to this point has been arguably more esoteric than it is practical, so I wanted to provide you some practical information, in case you want to walk Japan Nakasendo Way. Talk to us how far you would like to walk each day, what … Journey along Japan’s Nakasendo Way for a dose of history. Nakasendo Way. Japan: Nakasendo Way 9 days / Guided walking Tokyo to Kyoto . He invites travelers inside, serving them tea and candy and chatting with them about their trips. This is, ostensibly, a Nakasendo trail blog. Walk Japan leads tours all over the country – along the coastlines of tropical Okinawa all the way up to the northern island of Hokkaido, home to the Indigenous Ainu people. We were so fortunate to hit the peak of the cherry blossoms! The Nakasendō (中山道, Central Mountain Route), also called the Kisokaidō (木曾街道), was one of the five routes of the Edo period, and one of the two that connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto in Japan. These family-run guesthouses offer insight into the culture and cuisine of Japan as you walk, self-guided, along village paths and mountains trails - with beautiful forests and countryside along the way. We have just completed our second Nakasendo Way trip. People from all over stop here on their walk along the Nakasendo, exchanging stories with one another during their short breaks. We walk to our inn for the night which has its own natural, thermal hot springs. This is just a preview. Its history is fascinating and was a big part of the experience. While hiking may not immediately spring to mind when coming up with an ultimate Japan bucket list, I could not miss the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of shogun and samurai. The Nakasendo Way is a truly different experience of Japan to that which you can get in the cities, showing an older, quieter Japan full of natural beauty. Get one year of online-only access — only $15! The nakasendo trail or (the nakasendo walk) was one of five walking routes created during the edo period. Private custom tours tailored to specific interests and requirements can also be crafted by Walk Japan on request. Nakasendo Way is one of the most popular walking trails in Japan. However, since inns along the way are few and far between, you’d be better off booking your bed ahead of time. Ontake, a sacred peak and active volcano. Our 3-Day Walking Tour of Nakasendo is an ideal add-on to wind down and enjoy countryside after visiting busy cities. We travel through some of the most picturesque and historical villages in the nation, stay in rural, family-run Japanese inns and relax in But I was determined: I was going to walk back on the Nakasendo Way, one of Japan’s oldest highways. Our route takes us into a world far removed from the modern bustle of Japan’s megacities. Part of the route along the Nakasendo Way. If you want to do this walk from Tokyo then the most important thing is to go to Nagoya. This short-stay, fully-guided walking tour follows the ancient Nakasendo Way through the Kiso Valley of central Japan and also reaches the high alpine Kaida Plateau. If you want to walk the Nakasendo Way in spring, April and May are the best months to go. • It’s not strictly necessary to use a travel agent to walk the Nakasendo. We have come a long way from the calm of the Kiso Valley. Today, the Nakasendo—literally “the middle mountain way”—lies mostly forgotten, and walking along it brings you out of modern Japan. A route used since feudal times the Nakasendo Trail, one of a network of ancient highways, linked Kyoto and Tokyo through the central mountains of Japan. Our walk continues over another pass on the Hida Way, which connected Takayama with the Nakasendo Way. However, whether the Nakasendo highway is studied from a historical perspective, a geographical perspective, or a social or political perspective, the very best way to study it is to walk it. The first thing I want to share with you related to Nakasendo trail accommodation. Walk the Nakasendo Way through rural Japan. ... Nakasendo Way. If you plan to hike the full nakasendo way, then i'd recommend buying a map of the nakasendo trail. By Victor Block This item appears on page 24 of the October 2016 issue. Walk the Nakasendo Trail Choose to either a shorter walking holiday on the rural trail section, or walk the full Nakasendo Trail from Kyoto to Tokyo. Half-way along the trail is a lone teahouse run by a local volunteer. October and November offer … This is subscriber only post. Nakasendo Way is one of the top walks in Japan, and one of the world's best walk, treks, hikes and climbs. I can’t recommend it enough. • The trail is well-marked. Finally: Most people walk the Nakesendo Trail from Magome to Tsumago. Google Maps: Nakasendo Trail Magome and Tsumago. We walked through little post towns past fields and orchards and farms and into peaceful forests. Autumn. We passed through small scratches of villages, some spruced with decorations. May 24, 2015 - The Nakasendo Way is Walk Japan’s pioneering walking tour. Step back in time with our Wandering the World guide as you walk a section of the Nakasendo Way, which once connected Tokyo and Kyoto. Please login or subscribe to ITN to read the entire post. Along the trail you will discover scenic post towns, and stay in local Minshuku's. An excellent, guided stroll along the historical trail from Kyoto to Tokyo. The Self-Guided Wayfarer tour starts from JPY 224,000 (€1,825 approx.). Nakasendo Way with Walk Japan. Find the walking tour of Japan that's perfect for you from our full selection of scheduled guided and self-guided tours that span the country. Following in the footsteps of the Tokugawa Shoguns on the road through the mountains. No need to register, buy now! An excellent, guided stroll along the historical trail from Kyoto to Tokyo. Walk Japan organizes both fully guided tours and self-guided itineraries along the scenic ancient highway that connects Kyoto and Tokyo Written by Delle Chan. Nakasendo Hiking Tips: • You can walk the Nakasendo in either direction. Nakasendo Way, Japan. It offers the four-day Kiso Road walking … I ended up discovering not just an awesome hike, but a window into the country’s past. Nakasendo Trail (Walk Only) The beautifully preserved Nakasendo post towns such as Tsumago & Narai Walking through the beautiful Kiso Valley on the Nakasendo Trail. Walking on the Kisoji of the Nakasendo Way The two and a half to three hour walk from Magome to Tsumago reveals shrines, waterfalls, bamboo groves, terraced rice paddies, a teahouse rest stop and a forest path with large, rough stones laid in the early 1600s. There were 69 stations (staging-posts) between Edo and Kyoto, crossing through Musashi, Kōzuke, Shinano, Mino and Ōmi provinces. A hiking route used since feudal times the Kiso Road (a portion of the Nakasendo Way), is part of a network of ancient highways, which linked Kyoto and Tokyo through Japan’s central mountains. The trail between Magome and Tsumago is a well-maintained section of the former Nakasendo, the route that ran along the Kiso Valley and connected Tokyo with Kyoto during the Edo Period.The trail is relatively gentle and is well marked in English and Japanese.It is about 8 kilometers long and takes around 2-3 hours to walk at a leisurely pace. Our Adventure ~ After lots of enthusiastic research, Jon chose a remarkably well-priced 10-night/11-day hike along the Nakasendo Way through Walk Japan.The Nakasendo is the ancient mountain trail that stretches between Kyoto and Tokyo. See our description, photos and practical information for Nakasendo Way and join in with our trekking and hiking forums to find out why we think so! Now known as the Nakasendo Way, during the Edo Period (1603 to 1868), the Nakasendo Trail connected Kyoto to Tokyo. Walk Japan has divided the route into a 10-day tour, walking between 10-24 kilometers per day, with some sections covered by transit to make the journey a bit more enjoyable. When to Trek Japan’s Nakasendo Way Spring. Nakasendo way is one of the top walks in japan, and one of the world's best walk, treks, hikes and climbs. This is a fabulous way to appreciate the hospitality of traditional Japan. More words are to come over at The Explorer by Jacada Travel. The other way around is of course also possible. The section of Nakasendo Way between Magome and Naraijuku is relatively easy to walk and very pretty - dotted with interesting monuments and villages. Walk Nakasendo Way, The Kiso Road, through rural areas and central mountains of Japan. Find the perfect nakasendo way honshu, japan stock photo. Practical Matters: How to Walk the Nakasendo Way. The next day we return to the Nakasendo Way and another lovely walk over a high pass to the post town of Narai. Autumn is a great time of year to hike the Nakasendo Way. The pass provides spectacular views of Mt. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Published: April 8, 2016. If you want to get in touch with the real Japan, the Nakasendo is a great place to start. Below is a sample of the article. Mar 27, 2015 - The Nakasendo Way is Walk Japan’s pioneering walking tour. Walking along brings the highway’s student in contact with many unanticipated aspects of the highway. In May, I walked their Nakasendo with a group of lively Australians, New Zealanders and two couples from Hong Kong. From the Central Station take the JR Shinano Limited Express. The villages of Tsumago and Magome sit on the Nakasendo Way, an ancient samurai pathway that traverses the lower Japanese Alps linking Kyoto and Matsumoto. Meantime, below are 30 photos documenting the scenic hiking from Ena to Tokyo over six days with Walk Japan on the Nakasendo Way. Kester is a travel consultant in our Bristol office, and has spent two years living in Japan. Last Modified: November 6, 2019. The best way to appreciate the Kiso Valley is to explore the region on foot, just as the samurai would have done. Walk Japan runs a variety of walking tours around the country, including the bestselling Nakasendo Way tour, a fascinating 11-day trip from Kyoto to Tokyo; prices from JPY 488,000 (€3,975 approx.). I used Oku Japan. Walking a part of the ancient Nakasendo Way was one of the must-dos on my trip to Japan. During the Edo period (1603-1868), a time when Japan … Plus, video.