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    • Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)
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    • Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)
      Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) (Classic)
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    Self-Guided Adventure

    Classic
    Tailor-made

    Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)

    3 Nights: from US$1040 per person (twin share) Trip Code: SET01

    This three-day hiking module introduces you to our favourite sections of the 70km-long Shin-Etsu Trail, allowing you to enjoy hiking through majestic beech forests and along mountain ridgelines. It can be added to many Self-Guided Adventures as it's easily accessible from Tokyo and Kanazawa. Read more >

    The Shin-Etsu Trail runs 70km from Madarao Kogen in southeast Iiyama, all the way along the prefectural border between Niigata and Nagano, until it reaches its end at Mount Amamizu in the northeastern tip of Nagano Prefecture.

    Hiking the entire route is an intrepid adventure and something we highly recommend, but we realize it's not always possible to spend a full week on a hiking trail. That's why we've cherry-picked our three favourite sections to showcase the best of the scenery for a shorter trip, from shady beech forests to narrow ridge walking with fantastic views. Whether you choose to travel in early July when the forests are lush with new growth, or in autumn amongst the crisp orange leaves, the Shin-Etsu Trail offers an invigorating outdoor experience that is blissfully free from crowds.

    It's easy to follow the trail without knowing any Japanese, but in order to help you make the most of your experience, we've included a guided hike on day one. Your guide knows the trail like the back of their hand, and will have plenty of knowledge and insight about the region to share with you.

    At a glance

    What's Included

    What's included

    • Train travel to Iiyama
    • All transport between accommodation and the trail
    • Three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners
    • Shin-Etsu Trail orientation and maps
    • Guided hike of Section 2
    • Luggage forwarding between Iiyama and Togarinozawa Onsen

    What's NOT included:

    • Lunch after your arrival in Iiyama

    Trip Highlights

    • Hike three scenic sections of the Shin-Etsu Trail
    • Soak in hot spring baths
    • Take in panoramic sea and mountain views along the trail
    • Tuck into tasty local food at a family-run inn
    • Join an experienced guide for day one of your hike
    • Experience the slower pace of rural Japanese life

    For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380

    What, where, when and how...

    • Map & Dest.
    • Day by Day
    • Accommodation
    • Experiences
    • How to Book

    Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 4 Days

    Destinations

    • Iiyama
      Iiyama

      Read more >

    • Togarinozawa Onsen
      Togarinozawa Onsen

      Read more >

    Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 4 Days - Day by Day

    • Day 1 Iiyama
      Day 1 Iiyama
    • Day 2-4 Togarinozawa Onsen
      Day 2-4 Togarinozawa Onsen
    View all days

    Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 4 Days - Accommodation

    • Madarao Kogen Hotel
      Iiyama
      Madarao Kogen Hotel

      Moderate

    • Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan
      Togarinozawa Onsen
      Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan

      Moderate

    Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 4 Days - Experiences

    • Nagano rural farm experience
      Nagano rural farm experience

      Read more >

    • The Shinkansen bullet train
      The Shinkansen bullet train

      Read more >

    • Shin-Etsu Trail hiking
      Shin-Etsu Trail hiking

      Read more >

    • Shinrin-yoku
      Shinrin-yoku

      Read more >

    • Day 1

      1

      Begin your Shin-Etsu Trail adventure

      Upon arrival at Iiyama Station you'll be met by a local representative who will conduct your orientation for you and make sure you're all set up with maps for the next three days. The station houses a well-stocked activity centre shop where you can pick up any last-minute supplies for your hike.

      A pre-arranged taxi will take you up to Madarao Kogen to your accommodation so you can drop off your bags, and then it'll be time to meet your guide and set off on day one of your hike. Section 2 is the least strenuous of the six sections and provides a gentle introduction to the trail. It should take around 5 hours to complete the almost 11km (6.6 mile) hike.

      At the end of the hike your accommodation staff will come and meet you and take you back to the hotel, where you can soak in the hot spring baths and tuck into a hearty meal.

      Overnight: Madarao Kogen Hotel

    • Day 2-4

      2-4

      Take in the panoramic views along Sections 4 and 6

      Armed with your maps and guidance from your orientation and guide the day before, you'll set off on Day Two for your hike along the 8.2km-long Section 4. The first part up the grassy trail alongside the ski run is pretty steep, but once you're up on the ridge line it's smoother sailing. Section 4 offers some of the best views along the trail, with Niigata Prefecture and the Sea of Japan out to your left, and Nagano Prefecture and the Chikuma River out to the right. The highest elevation you'll reach today is Mount Nabekura, which is the second highest point of the Shin-Etsu Trail at 1,288m (4,225 ft).

      During the latter part of the day's 6-hour hike you'll find yourself doing a fun bit of ducking and weaving around oddly shaped branches, twisted over small sections of the trail. Iiyama experiences the highest snowfall of any populated place in Japan – up to 4m (13 feet)! – and the sheer weight of the snow twists the beech tree branches into bizarre shapes.

      Your Iiyama accommodation will have provided you with a filling bento lunch box for your hike today; Ozawa-toge Pass has a u-shaped branch that makes the perfect seat for a break!

      After staying overnight at one of our favourite family-run inns, you'll set off on Day Three for the final day's hike along 12.7 km-long Section 6, the longest and most scenic of the sections. The elevation changes are fairly gentle today, allowing you to enjoy the panoramic views over Niigata Prefecture as you make your way ever closer to your final goal, 1,151 m high Mount Amamizu. At the end of the hike, a pre-arranged taxi will be waiting to drive you back to your accommodation, where hot spring baths and a hearty dinner await.

      On Day Four, you'll take the train back to Iiyama Station, and change to another train to take you to your next destination.

      Overnight: Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan

    View all days
    • Day 1

      1

      Begin your Shin-Etsu Trail adventure

      Upon arrival at Iiyama Station you'll be met by a local representative who will conduct your orientation for you and make sure you're all set up with maps for the next three days. The station houses a well-stocked activity centre shop where you can pick up any last-minute supplies for your hike.

      A pre-arranged taxi will take you up to Madarao Kogen to your accommodation so you can drop off your bags, and then it'll be time to meet your guide and set off on day one of your hike. Section 2 is the least strenuous of the six sections and provides a gentle introduction to the trail. It should take around 5 hours to complete the almost 11km (6.6 mile) hike.

      At the end of the hike your accommodation staff will come and meet you and take you back to the hotel, where you can soak in the hot spring baths and tuck into a hearty meal.

      Overnight: Madarao Kogen Hotel

    • Day 2-4

      2-4

      Take in the panoramic views along Sections 4 and 6

      Armed with your maps and guidance from your orientation and guide the day before, you'll set off on Day Two for your hike along the 8.2km-long Section 4. The first part up the grassy trail alongside the ski run is pretty steep, but once you're up on the ridge line it's smoother sailing. Section 4 offers some of the best views along the trail, with Niigata Prefecture and the Sea of Japan out to your left, and Nagano Prefecture and the Chikuma River out to the right. The highest elevation you'll reach today is Mount Nabekura, which is the second highest point of the Shin-Etsu Trail at 1,288m (4,225 ft).

      During the latter part of the day's 6-hour hike you'll find yourself doing a fun bit of ducking and weaving around oddly shaped branches, twisted over small sections of the trail. Iiyama experiences the highest snowfall of any populated place in Japan – up to 4m (13 feet)! – and the sheer weight of the snow twists the beech tree branches into bizarre shapes.

      Your Iiyama accommodation will have provided you with a filling bento lunch box for your hike today; Ozawa-toge Pass has a u-shaped branch that makes the perfect seat for a break!

      After staying overnight at one of our favourite family-run inns, you'll set off on Day Three for the final day's hike along 12.7 km-long Section 6, the longest and most scenic of the sections. The elevation changes are fairly gentle today, allowing you to enjoy the panoramic views over Niigata Prefecture as you make your way ever closer to your final goal, 1,151 m high Mount Amamizu. At the end of the hike, a pre-arranged taxi will be waiting to drive you back to your accommodation, where hot spring baths and a hearty dinner await.

      On Day Four, you'll take the train back to Iiyama Station, and change to another train to take you to your next destination.

      Overnight: Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan

    Close all days

    Trip Reviews

    (12 month average based on 1 review)

    • Self-Guided Adventure Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)

      Excellent

      The service from Inside Japan was great. The trip went smoothly and we had amazing experiences!

      Read more >

    Trip Reviews

    • Self-Guided Adventure Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)

      Excellent

      The service from Inside Japan was great. The trip went smoothly and we had amazing experiences!

      Read more >

    (12 month average based on 1 review)

    5.0 out of 5 from 1 review Show all Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) Reviews

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    How to book

    Please note that it's only possible to hike these sections of the Shin-Etsu Trail from early July through to the end of October.

    If you would like to book this Self-Guided Adventure, all you need to do is make an enquiry using our online form or give us a call at one of our offices in Bristol (UK), Boulder (USA), Brisbane (Australia) or Nagoya (Japan) to begin planning your holiday.

    There are no blackout dates for this trip. However, please be aware that at the busiest times of the year the named accommodation may not be available, in which case the price can not be guaranteed. However, we will always do our best to match the prices you see here as closely as possible.

    All of our Self-Guided Adventures are completely flexible, so if you like what you see here but would like to make a few changes - where it's to add in destinations, request special experiences, upgrade accommodation or plan extra nights - please don't hesitate to get in touch and one of our expert consultants will help you tailor a trip to suit you.

    Self-Guided Adventure Styles

    To help you get a feeling for our Self-Guided Adventures, we have divided the itineraries into four grades outlined below. Of course this style of travel is fully tailorable, so it’s not a problem to mix elements and grades to suit you!

    Essential Tailor-made

    Just the basics included so you can choose how much you spend

    Style Facts

    • Two- to three-star accommodation
    • No airport transfers (but a city transport pass and detailed airport transfer instructions are provided)
    • Ordinary class Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus some dinners
    • Cultural experiences

    Classic Tailor-made

    Mid-range hotels and Japanese inns, some private guiding and cultural experiences

    Style Facts

    • Three-star accommodation
    • Local professional guides for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Airport meet-and-greet and transfers
    • Ordinary class Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus some dinners
    • Cultural experiences

    Superior Tailor-made

    Enjoy in-depth cultural immersion while staying in high-quality accommodation

    Style Facts

    • Four- to five-star accommodation
    • Local professional guides for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Entrance fees and lunch included with the private guides
    • Private airport transfers
    • Green car (first class) Japan Rail Passes
    • Breakfast every day plus several lunches and dinners
    • In-depth cultural experiences

    Deluxe Tailor-made

    Luxurious hotels and Japanese inns, fine dining and exclusive experiences with a focus on comfort and ease of travel

    Style Facts

    • The very best five-star accommodation
    • Exclusive cultural experiences
    • Local professional guides with drivers and private cars for sightseeing in key destinations
    • Entrance fees and lunch included with the private guides
    • Private airport transfers
    • Private car transfers between stations and hotels
    • Green car (first class) reserved seat train tickets
    • Breakfast every day plus several lunches and dinners

    Contact us

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      + 44 117 244 3380
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      + 1 303 952 0379
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      + 61 7 3186 8800
    • JAP Inside Japan - Japan office

      + 81 52 253 6068

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