1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Discover Old Japan on the Nakasendo Trail Trek
4.6
8 Ratings
Nagiso-machi
Embark on a 1-day tour from Matsumoto and discover Old Japan on the Nakasendo Trail Trek. Experience traditional post towns, ancient forests, and mountain passes on this exciting hike.
Duration:
8 hours, 55 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Tsumago Post Office - Our tour will begin in earnest when you and your guide step off the bus at Tsumago-juku Post Town. Once a vital station on a road connecting Tokyo (then called Edo) and Kyoto, the town’s appearance has not changed since its heyday. Here you can find streets lined with traditional wooden buildings that have been meticulously preserved by their residents. Some buildings are open to enter, and allow you a look into how people used to travel in Old Japan.
What's Included
- Transport to and from all locations in a dedicated tour vehicle
- English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
- Lunch
Additional Information
Prepare to experience Old Japan on foot with this exciting hike through traditional post towns, ancient forests, and dramatic mountain passes. Starting in Tsumago-juku post town, your guide will explain a bit about what kinds of people traveled the roads in Old Japan, where they were going, and how they lived. You will get a chance to enter some buildings including an old Inn and a horse-stable that perfectly illustrate what your guide has mentioned.
Leaving Tsumago-juku post town, you will start out on an 8km trek to the next post town, passing by roaring waterfalls and quiet hamlets along the way. Keep an eye open for wildlife and wildflowers while you are led by your guide along what was once one of the main avenues of travel in Japan.
Arriving at Magome-juku post town, you will be treated to far off views of fields and mountains as you descend to the bottom of this very vertical village. After having a little time for shopping, you will board the tour vehicle and head back.
- Travel time is already included in the total duration of travel
Location
Tsumago Post Office
2197-5 Azuma
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(8 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Companion58664705735
May 2, 2024
One day trip to Nakasendo - Enjoy the beauty of the mountains and forests and experience the life of the ancients. In addition, the guides gave a lively introduction to the tour. The whole trip was really great! Thanks again to Joyce for his professional and enthusiastic explanation, which helped us understand the beauty of the ancient trail! Sijung’s wealth of outdoor knowledge adds a lot to the journey! Jens’ thoughtfulness and familiarity with local culture made the whole trip even more perfect! I look forward to visiting Japan again in the future to join your company’s itinerary and enjoy the beauty of nature!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Road49561898003
May 2, 2024
Nakasendo Tsumago-juku ~ Magome-juku one-day walking tour - We have been looking forward to this hiking trip on Nakasendo for a long time. Thank you to our tour guide for enthusiastically sharing the scenery, history and culture with us during the trip. We are so lucky! In addition to the good weather and the wonderful company of Joyce, Sijung, and Jens, we were full of laughter along the way and felt the beauty of Japan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathrinweg
Apr 26, 2024
Highly recommended - Lovely walk between two old towns through forests and hills. Joyce was an excellent guide and the itinerary was well paced with plenty of time on the walk and the towns.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashleysh7033ul
Apr 9, 2024
Beautiful Day Trip to the Nakasendo Trail - Our family of four (kids ages 8 & 9) went on this tour in April 2024 and it was definitely a highlight of our trip in Japan! Our tour guide, Joyce, was fantastic and shared so much knowledge and history about the post towns along the Nakasendo trail as well as the Nagano region. The hike was stunning with amazing views of the mountains, waterfalls, and even tea houses along the route. We loved spending time in both Magome and Tsumago. An incredible experience and would highly recommend for anyone interested in visiting the area!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
446adij
Nov 17, 2023
Beautiful scenery and a fun day out - This tour had everything - history, architecture, walking in nature and friendly people. The walk was a perfect distance to get a feel for walking the trail, but not too hard, and lots of chances to stop along the way. Our guide was great and provided lots of information and insights.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trailblazer41253
Oct 12, 2023
Wonderful Tsumago to Magome Nakasendo Trail - The driver of the van was excellent. The guide, Piraya, was full of energy, information, and fun. The hike was easy, beautiful, and historical. Both towns were interesting to see.
I encourage anyone intrigued by the Nakasendo Trail, Kiso Valley, and/or old post towns to sign up for this tour. It was a highlight of our 3-week adventure in Japan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Road562440
Sep 28, 2023
Great trek experience - Thank you for a great day, trekking through your beautiful country side and learning more about your history.
Piraya was great, very friendly, polite and patients. Our driver was also great - no issues with his driving at all.
We’d be happy to recommend your company to like minded travellers.
Beautiful countryside, waterfalls and very very peaceful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thomazg488
Apr 2, 2024
Fun & easy hike with lots to see - We took the tour from Matsumoto and were kindly received at the meeting point by our guide Kieron. The tour met all our expectations and the elaborate description was accurate. Kieron entertained us during the scenic walk and openly told us his curriculum vitae coming from Brisbane and living in Japan for 25 years. All in all we had a fun experience but we do feel the tour is somewhat pricey. Thanks Kieron!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
