Nakasendo Trail Route Maps:The Best 5 Section
Welcome to Narai Juku on the Nakasendo!
The Nakasendo is an ancient road that offers visitors a taste of Japan’s rich nature and history. Long before the Edo period (1603-1867), the Nakasendo was an important route connecting Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, and Edo (now Tokyo).
A walk along the Nakasendo is a journey that allows visitors to experience the nature and history of Japan, including well-preserved inn towns and beautiful countryside scenery.
This article introduces five of the most popular sections of the Nakasendo. Two of them start and end at Naraijuku, so we hope you will enjoy them.
Save the route map if you wish use it offline.
We will start with the section from Kyoto.
Section 1: Magome Juku – Tsumago Juku (Magome Pass) |Level
Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku are two of the most popular post town of Nakasendo, both of which retain strong traces of their Edo period (1603-1868) past.
The 9-km walking path along Magome Pass, which separates the two inns, is also well-preserved as an old highway. Along the way, there are scenic spots rich in nature such as Otoko-taki Waterfall and Onna-taki Waterfall, as well as historical attractions such as Otsumago, making it one of the most popular hiking courses among foreign visitors to Japan.
Level | |
Length | 9km |
Required time | 3hours |
Access
Tsumago Juku | 10 min by bus from Nagiso St. Time Table |
Magome Juku | 25 min by bus from Nakatsugawa St. Time Table |
Accommodations
The following accommodations are handled by Booking.com.
Tsumago | MOUNTAinn Nagiso お宿 勝 | Offical Site |
Magoeme | Tajimaya Magome Chaya Guesthouse Nedoko Guest House Motomiya | Offical Site |
Please check this page for a list of accommodations not listed on Booking.com and how to make reservations.
Section 2:Tsumago ~ Nojiri (Level)
The 18.4-kilometer route from Tsumago to Nojiri Inn, from Miruno to Nojiri, takes a detour on the Nakasendo route called “Yogawamichi”.
Because of its proximity to the Kiso River, this section of the Nakasendo has often been impassable due to flooding, and the Yogawamichi has supported travelers on their way.
The road connects famous sites that offer a glimpse into history, such as Enku Buddha at Togakuji Temple, a group of stone Buddhas at Amidado Hall, and a large cedar at Hakusan Shrine, reminding us of life in the mountain villages in bygone days.
Level | |
Length | 18.4km |
Required time | 6hours |
Access
Tsumago Juku | 10 minutes by bus from Nagiso St. |
Noriji Juku | 1 minute on foot from Nojiri St. |
Accommodations
If Ending point would be Tsumago
The best is staying in Tsumago Juku.
If Ending point would be Nojiri
It is the best that staying at Onsen ryokan in “Fukushima-juku” in Kiso Fukushima.
This is because there are few accommodations in Nojiri-juku.
Fukushima juku takes about 30 minutes by train from Nojiri Juku.
Fukushima Juku | Onyado Tsutaya Kiso Mikawaya | Offical Site |
Section 3:Yabuhara〜Narai(Torii Pass) (Level)
Torii Pass, which connects Yabuhara-juku and Narai-juku, is 1,197 meters above sea level, the second highest point on the Nakasendo, and was famous as one of the most difficult points on the Nakasendo.
In the Edo period ,many travelers stopped at Narai-juku to rest their feet on their way over the Torii Pass, so Narai-juku became crowded that it was called “Narai Senken,” meaning the one thousand Narai houses. And Narai became the longest post town in Japan, stretching for about 1 km.
Level | |
Length | 6km |
Required time | 3hours |
Access
Narai Juku | 2 minute on foot from Narai St. |
Yabuhara Juku | 5 minute on foot from Yabuhara St. |
Accommodations
When Ending point would be Narai
Staying at Narai juku is the best.
Narai Juku | Shimada BYAKU Narai | Offical Site |
When Ending point would be Yabuhara juku
We recommend staying at Narai-juku or at a hot spring inn in “Fukushima-juku” in Kiso Fukushima.
This is because there are few lodging facilities in Yabuhara-juku.
- Yabuhara – Narai: About 5 min. by train
- Yabuhara – Fukushima: Approx. 30 min. by train
Narai Juku | Shimada BYAKU Narai | Offical Site |
Fukushima Juku | Onyado Tsutaya Kiso Mikawaya | Offical Site |
Section 4:Narai-juku – Kiso Hirasawa + Matsumoto Castle (Level)
The course is approximately 2 km between Narai and Kiso Hirasawa, and parades around Matsumoto Castle.
Narai juku to Kiso-Hirasawa
Kiso Hirasawa is a village born between Naraijuku and Nigawajuku, and has flourished as a lacquerware town since the Edo period, with over 200 lacquerware stores still standing side by side.
Because many historic lacquerware stores and warehouses remain, Kiso Hirasawa, like Narai-juku, has been designated as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Level | |
Length | 2km |
Required time | 1hours |
Matsumoto Castle + Castle Town Walk
Take the train between Kiso Hirasawa and Matsumoto (about 40 minutes) and explore Matsumoto Castle.
Matsumoto Castle is the oldest of the five existing castle towers and is designated as a national treasure. The keep can be climbed for 700 yen and visitors can enjoy the interior of the castle as it was then.
Access
Narai Juku | 1 minute on foot from Narai St. |
Kiso-Hirasawa | 1 minute on foot from Kiso-hirasawa St. |
Matsumoto Castle | 15 minute on foot from Matusmoto St. |
Accommodations
When Ending point would be Narai or Kiso-hirasawa
It is the best that staying in Narai-juku
Narai Juku | Shimada BYAKU Narai | Offical Site |
When Ending point would be Matusmoto
We recommend hotels near Matsumoto Station or onsen ryokan in the Asama Onsen Hot Spring Resort area.
Asama Onsen is a 30-minute drive from Matsumoto Station. All ryokans offer a shuttle bus service, so train travelers are also welcome.
Matusmoto | Shoho Kagetsu Buena Vista | Offical Site |
Asama Onsen | Tamanoyu Jimotoya Jujo | Offical Site |
Section 5:Karuizawa Juku – Yokogawa (Usui Pass) (Level)
This tour takes you on a 16.7 km road over the Usui Pass from Karuizawa-juku to Yokogawa. The Usui Pass is one of the three most difficult passes along the Nakasendo Highway.
It is said that “Kiso no Kakehashi, Ota no Watashi, and Usui Pass are the only ones to be crossed.
It is now a trekking course. Today, the pass is used as a trekking course and is a scenic spot from which one can view the three mountains of Jomo, Mount Haruna, and Mount Asama.
Incidentally, the Usui Pass is a “one side pass”, and while it is an 800-meter climb from the Yokogawa side, it is only a 200-meter climb from the Karuizawa side, so the degree of difficulty varies greatly depending on which side you climb from.
Level | |
Length | 16.7km |
Required time | 6hours |
Access
Karuizawa Juku | 25 minute on foot or 5 min. by cab from Karuizawa St. |
Yokokawa | 1 minute on foot from Yokokawa St. |
Accommodations
Regardless of which side of the mountain you choose to climb, we recommend staying in Karuizawa.
Especially,we recommend the “Tsuruya Ryokan(Hotel Tsuruya)”.
Hotel Tsuruya, being one of the oldest hotels in Karuizawa, has a history of over 400 years. It has started in Edo period, as a guest house that included a teahouse.
Tsuruya
Karuizawa | Tsuruya Ryokan | Offical Site |
Nakasendo is full of historical and natural attractions!
We have introduced five popular Nakasendo courses.
Each course is surrounded by nature, so the atmosphere changes dramatically depending on the season you visit.
The most popular seasons are spring and autumn. The budding and changing leaves make the scenery even more beautiful.
Accommodations at Naraij-uku and Tsumago-juku are especially popular, so early reservations are recommended.
If you have difficulty in making reservations, please contact Kiso Adventure.
Kiso Adventure is a travel assistance organization run by Kiso residents.
Consultations are free, so feel free to contact us.
Have a great trip ✨.