The Nakasendo Way
Take the ancient samurai pathway through the Kiso Valley past picturesque farmhouses and tea fields.
The best way to appreciate the Kiso Valley is to explore the region on foot, just as the samurai would have done. 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. Today the 3 hour walk between the two villages is well worth it for scenes of rural life, farmhouses and tea fields. The path is signposted in Japanese and English and is fairly gentle in terms of elevation.
Like the Cotswolds in England, the walk through the Kiso Valley is simply charming; the perfect place for a relaxed wander, taking photos of quaint Japanese buildings, popping into craftshops and saying konnichiwa to the friendly locals you'll meet en-route.
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Important notice: We are pleased to be able to offer so many amazing experiences in Japan. However, we are sorry that we can only include these as a part of a full Japan holiday package which includes your accommodation and transport alongside the experiences presented in this section of the web site.
Interested in this Experience? It is included in this tour:
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Pull on your hiking boots for six days on the Shin-Etsu trail and the Nakasendo Way.
Walking the Nakasendo & Beyond
Nothing beats exploring a new culture on foot. Slowing down to walking pace allows you to absorb the sights and sounds in technicolour detail, helping you get under the skin of a new place.
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