Winter Nakasendo Trail 2025

Winter is a terrific season to visit Japan. Most winter days are crisp, clear and cold, with brilliant sunshine. Snow falls rather rarely in the cities of Tōkyō and Kyōto – but if you are lucky enough to catch Kyōto’s Golden Pavilion dusted by fresh snowfall, it’s a truly magical sight. Further into the mountains and towards the Japan Sea coast, snow falls deeply. There is nothing more enchanting than the winter landscapes of traditional wooden villages like Magome and Tsumago against a backdrop of snowdrifts. Imagine the comforting warmth of a steaming-hot Japanese bath after a day outside. Imagine the wonder of sitting in an outdoor thermal water pool known as a rotenburo as snowflakes glide gently through the air around you. There are endless reasons to choose winter for your Japan walking adventure: fewer visitors, special seasonal foods, and the stunning illumination of particular gardens, temples or shrines.

The Nakasendō linked Kyōto to Tōkyō during Japan’s feudal period. It was the ‘road through the mountains’ travelled by feudal lords and their retinues, samurai warriors, merchants, and travellers. Along the route were 69 post towns where weary travellers could rest before continuing on the next leg. We spend five days walking on the loveliest parts of the trail, enjoying the peace and serenity of the winter landscapes. Depending on the depth of snow, we may use our snowshoes to follow the route. We follow quiet village roads and unpaved hill trails through the picturesque Kiso Valley where there are some beautifully preserved old villages. We stay overnight in traditional country inns, enjoying exquisite, warming regional cuisine prepared from the freshest ingredients. We soak in natural thermal onsen hot springs and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts. A Japanese bath is the perfect way to end a day walking on the snowy trails!

A small-group guided winter tour to the Nakasendo trail. Walk or snowshoe on five days for 1-3 hours

ROUTE MAP

GROUP JOINING TOUR: International Group

• Duration: 8 days
• Trip level: Active ★★☆☆☆
• Availability: December to March
• Type: Guided tour with an expert bilingual guide

DURATION: 8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS

Day 2: Travel to Nakatsugawa and walk to Magome

Today we travel by train to Nakatsugawa, one of the old post towns on the Nakasendō Trail. The original main road through the town retains its Edo Period heritage with traditional sake shops, restaurants in period wooden buildings, and old storehouses. We start our walk here and head towards the next post town of Ochiai.

From Ochiai we ascend through cedar forests and traverse a section of the trail whose cobblestones date right back to the Edo Period. Over the next four days we explore the best-preserved portions of the ancient Nakasendo Trail through villages and hamlets, all set against the magical winter scenery. Our lodging tonight is a charming family-run inn in the post town of Magome.

Walking distance: 8.3 km / 5.2 mi
Elevation gain: 400 m / 1,300 ft of ascent and 200 m / 650 ft of descent
Time required: 3 hours

Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Walk from Magome to Tsumago

From Magome, we walk to Tsumago along one of the prettiest and best-preserved parts of the Nakasendō Trail. We’ll likely encounter snow over the Magome-tōge Pass with fine opportunities for photographs. After the walk, there’s time for lunch in Tsumago and then an afternoon to explore the many small shops along the picturesque main street, with its lovely old wooden architecture. Try gohei mochi, skewered sticky rice covered in a sweet paste of miso, sesame and walnuts.

Tsumago is a living museum, which is still home to residents whose families might have lived here for generations. We stay overnight in Tsumago or the nearby hamlet of Ō-Tsumago at a family-run inn with a real sense of history.

Walking distance: 8.3 km / 5.2 mi
Elevation gain: 325 m / 1,070 ft of ascent and 430m / 1,410 ft of descent
Time required: 3 hours

Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4: Travel from Tsumago to Kiso Fukushima

This morning we continue our exploration of Tsumago including a visit to the Wakihonjin Museum housed in a building which dates back to the 19th century. Today’s walk begins after lunch and is a short but enjoyable stroll from Tsumago to Nagiso along country lanes.

From Nagiso we board a local train for the brief journey to Kiso-Fukushima, a delightful post town which was once an important checkpoint on the Nakasendō. We stroll through the town before heading out to our comfortable ryokan. The ryokan prides itself on its wonderful cuisine and its terrific thermal baths – a perfect way to warm up on a winter evening.

Walking distance: 3.7 km / 2.3 mi
Elevation gain: 100 m / 330 ft of ascent and 120 m /390 ft of descent
Time required: 1 hour

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: Travel from Kiso-Fukushima to Narai

On our fifth day on the Nakasendō Trail, we walk from Yabuhara to Narai over the Torii-tōge Pass.  This section is likely to have the deepest snow on the tour and if the snow is deep enough, we’ll provide snowshoes to make the crossing of the pass easier. This is a rewarding journey through trees to the charming village of Narai. We arrive in time to explore Narai and have lunch at one of the small local restaurants. Our overnight accommodation is in Narai at a family-run inn in the village.

Walking distance: 6.2 km / 3.9 mi
Elevation gain: 345 m / 1,130 ft of ascent and 270 m / 885 ft of descent
Time required: 3 hours

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Walk Narai to Kiso-Hirasawa then travel to Asama Onsen

Our walk on the Nakasendō Trail ends today with a short stroll from Narai to Kiso-Hirasawa. Kiso-Hirasawa is famous for its locally produced acquerware. The walk takes around an hour and there may be a chance to see the craftsmen at work.

We then travel by train to Matsumoto, a castle town nestled in the Central Alps region. We visit Matsumoto Castle, one of four castles designated as National Treasures of Japan. Later, we head to our onsen accommodation for evening, with time to soothe our muscles before tomorrow’s travels.

Walking distance: 2.5 km / 1.6 mi
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 1 hour

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Travel to Tokyo

After breakfast, we depart from our accommodation and travel by train to Tōkyō. We leave our luggage at the city-centre hotel and enjoy a half-day walking tour of Tōkyō, visiting Hama-Rikyū Gardens, located near the mouth of the Sumida River. There is a striking contrast between the gardens and the gleaming towers of the Shiodome business area beyond.

Next, we visit Nihonbashi (the ‘Japan Bridge’), considered to be the ‘centre of Japan’ and the zero marker point for all Japan’s main roads since the Edo period. This is where the Nakasendō Trail would once have finished.

In the evening, there is a farewell dinner with your guide.

Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, farewell dinner

Day 8: Complete the tour in Tokyo

The tour ends today after breakfast. Your guide will be on hand to offer assistance and advice for travelling to the airport if you have homeward flights, or on onward travel in Japan if you are extending your stay.

Meals: Breakfast

FLIGHTS DETAILS DO CHECK WITH US.

TOUR INCLUDES / EXCLUDES

What is included

	Full-time services of an English-speaking tour guide
	7 nights in hotels and Japanese-style inns
	Daily breakfast, 2 lunches, and 7 dinners
	All transportation between tour locations
	Entrance to museums, temples, and other sights on the group’s itinerary
	Forwarding of 1 item of luggage on 4 occasions
	Rental gear (a pair of snowshoes, over gloves, gaiters, and walking poles)

What is not included

	Flights
	Airport transfers
	Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches
	Entrance fees to museums, temples etc. not mentioned in the itinerary
	A single room supplement is required for solo travellers at hotels

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For any queries related to the event do contact below person:
Phone: +65 92700908 (WhatsApp)
Email : contact@sgtrek.com

This trip is organized by: 
SGTREK PTE. LTD.
Reg. No. 201816267K
STB License No. 03160

Address: 28A, Kandahar Street
Singapore 198889
Email: contact@sgtrek.com
WhatsApp: +6592700908
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