Step into the past and experience life in rural Japan as you hike the Nakasendo trail from Tsumago-juku to Magome-juku

This tour will start at Nagoya Station at 10:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Silver Clock tower near the Shinkansen Gates. You will have the opportunity to put your belongings on our tour bus if you feel the need.

Your guide will provide you with a brief history of the region and set the scene as we depart Nagoya JR Station via our tour bus. We will take a short break at a roadside rest stop to stretch our legs before arriving at our first destination, Tsumago-juku.

Tsumago-juku was the forty-second of the sixty-nine post towns on the Nakasendo trail and remains one of the best-preserved post towns in Japan to this day. The charming town consists of inns, houses, and shops—many of which were built in the Edo era. You will be able to imagine what life was like for a samurai or a traveler as your guide leads you through this historic village.

We will then set off on our hike down the Nakasendo trail—one of five ancient roads connecting the de facto capital of Edo (Tokyo) with other regions in Japan. The trail was most prominent during the Edo era. Today, most of the original Nakasendo has been lost to time or converted into modern highways and railway lines. However, the section of the trail we will hike remains relatively unchanged from the time of the samurai. You will even see segments of the trail with original cobblestone.

Our trail will wind its way up over many switchbacks, through cypress groves, passing small clearings with rice fields and farmhouses along the way. The hike will also take you by two waterfalls—the perfect place to catch your breath, feel the cool mist on your face, and stop for lunch.

Recharged, we will continue our hike past a lone teahouse run by a local volunteer. You’re welcome to stop here for a sip of tea or exchange stories with other travelers.

At the end of the trek, you will arrive at the beautiful post town of Magome. Situated on a slope, this town offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery and features a main street lined with traditional wooden buildings. Even better, there are waterways on either side of the street, and the fast-running waterpowers multiple waterwheels.

The post town features many shops, selling popular local crafts and snacks such as oyaki dumplings, gohei-mochi rice cakes, and ice cream. We recommend looking for some of the wood crafts made from local trees, many of which are extremely fragrant and, just as importantly, small and easy to carry back home. Of course, your guide will be available to help you take photos that will make your friends and family envious.

Your guide will then accompany you back to the tour bus to start the drive back towards Nagoya. During this ride, you will have plenty of time to rest, look through your pictures, or ask the guide any questions you may have. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

*Non-Hiking Nakasendo Tour Option:

We offer a non-hiking version of the tour for individuals who are not able to hike or prefer a more leisurely pace. We highly recommend this option to families with small children or individuals with mobility issues.

This option also starts at Nagoya Station at 10:00 A.M., where your guide will meet you in front of the Silver Clock tower near the Shinkansen Gates. Your guide will provide you with a tour of Tsumago-juku and describe what life was like for those living or traveling on the Samurai Roads during the Edo era. After the tour of Tsumago-juku, your guide will continue on the trail with those who have selected to hike the trail. Non-hikers will be given an hour of free time in Tsumago to enjoy the shops, take pictures, and explore at their own pace. You will then meet back up with your driver to continue on to Magome-juku. At Magome, you will have time to enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant, sample regional specialties, or shop for handcrafted souvenirs at your own pace before meeting up with your guide and the hikers at 16:30 for your return trip to Nagoya.

For those wishing to visit the beautifully preserved post towns of Tsumago and Magome without the need to hike between them, please select "Non-Hiking Nakasendo Tour" at check out.