1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Walk the Nakasendo Trail
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 55 minutes
Mobile ticket
Prepare to experience Old Japan on foot with this exciting hike through traditional post towns, ancient forests, and dramatic mountain passes. Starting in Tsumago-juku post town, your guide will explain a bit about what kinds of people traveled the roads in Old Japan, where they were going, and how they lived. You will get a chance to enter some buildings including an old Inn and a horse-stable that perfectly illustrate what your guide has mentioned.
Leaving Tsumago-juku post town, you will start out on an 8km trek to the next post town, passing by roaring waterfalls and quiet hamlets along the way. Keep an eye open for wildlife and wildflowers while you are led by your guide along what was once one of the main avenues of travel in Japan.
Arriving at Magome-juku post town, you will be treated to far off views of fields and mountains as you descend to the bottom of this very vertical village. After having a little time for shopping, you will board the tour vehicle and head back.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Travel time is already included in the total duration of travel
All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Tsumago Post Office
Our tour will begin in earnest when you and your guide step off the bus at Tsumago-juku Post Town. Once a vital station on a road connecting Tokyo (then called Edo) and Kyoto, the town's appearance has not changed since its heyday. Here you can find streets lined with traditional wooden buildings that have been meticulously preserved by their residents. Some buildings are open to enter, and allow you a look into how people used to travel in Old Japan.
Departing Tsumago, the Nakasendo Trail trek will begin. Totaling around 8km, this trail is a must-see for people looking to combine an outdoor experience with a cultural experience. Along the way you will be treated to breathtaking waterfalls, quaint hamlets, and dramatic mountain views. The trail covers a wide range of elevations, so prepare to use your legs and get your blood flowing. Your guide will be there to make sure you don't get lost, and to help enhance the experience with timely anecdotes and knowledgeable trivia about the sights you will see along the way.
What‘s Included
Transport to and from All Locations in a Dedicated Tour Vehicle
English Speaking Guide
Lunch
Options
Join from Nagano station
Pickup included
Join from Matsumoto Station
Pickup included
Reviews
39 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour with loads of cultural learning and rich history of the places we have visited. The Matsumoto castle is great
Les317,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Well balanced tour with good insights and great food recommendations. The walk was well paced and so happened to be a small group experience - only 4 of us on the tour.
Waste of time
Bomani,,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Not something that was worth doing. We had a pleasant, helpful guide who did her best. But, where was the history and culture? A few older buildings at the start and end of the walk for sure but they were just focused on selling the usual Japanese tourist trinkets. 80% of the walk was just a dirt trail with some sections where steep stairs climbed up/down. No scenery along the way. Over hyped and not worth the time or money. There are many beautiful places to visit in Japan but this is not one of them.
Wonderful Tour and Guide
EllenF1147,,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed the walking tour with Pola. The scenery was beautiful and culture interesting. Pola was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable, funny and kind. We highly recommended the tour.
Persimmon season on the Nakasendo
Storyteller737494,,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a lovely day walk - great weather and a pretty trail/towns. Shawn took care to let us set the speed with plenty of pauses and no sense of rushing. There are lots of ups and downs on the path but quite doable for older folks who are used to a bit of walking.
Must Try: Easy Hiking and Seeing Old Houses
Tour635083,,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Much convenient to join the tour than to go by myself. The guide Sijung is very informative, attentive to details, helpful. He looks after everyone well. He told us the good spots to take photographs. The tour is well planned that some free time is available at the last spot. I love trying the food at the last spot: beef sushi takeaway, chestnut icecream. Having some time to enjoy the free tea in a traditional tea house is a good experience too. By the way the staff is very efficient in replying emails and fixing the bugs of the online booking system. Great too.
Nakasendo
Relax05827818575,,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00May and I are delighted with the tour and especially with you being the guide . Let’s start with the tour . It started on the right foot when it started as scheduled and with your careful explanation of the itinerary and the expectations. The journey though long was made easier with your easy banter and engagement of the folks . Enjoyed making my ninja star ! The walk through time was as you have described and we are especially impressed by your attention to everyone during the more arduous sections and making sure everyone came through without mishap ! Finally you were the icing on the cake :) Cheerful ,forthcoming, enthusiastic, engaging ,attentive and helpful . The dinner tip was well appreciated. Thank you once again for making the day a fun and memorable one !
Natural beauty
taniatsiamis,,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trail walk was a wonderful experience and our guide, Joyce shared interesting information along the way. The trail is a great way to immerse yourself into the natural beauty of the area.
Great Experience on an ancient trail
276holgerr,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great experience, mostly due to our wonderful guide Joyce. Not only great insights regarding the hike and the surrounded area, but although helpful and very interesting informations about Japanese culture. Highly recommended.
Beautiful, idyllic hike either knowledgeable guide
172annies,,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was a highlight of my trip and Nadine was an ideal guide! I hope I can come back and do this tour again! This 8 km hike is the perfect blend of history and nature and I couldn’t stop taking pictures because every few feet was another beautiful sight. Nadine was extremely knowledgeable and was able to bring to life the trail and everything we were seeing with her historical details as well as her knowledge of Japanese culture. The pace was just right, with plenty of opportunities to pause for water breaks or snacks. The day I went was too hot, so if I go again I’ll try to hit October or early spring, but other than that this was the perfect day hike. A couple tips: - bring water, hat, and sunscreen, this is a long walk. - the terrain and trails are fairly even and well paved, but its hilly so come ready for a workout.
Travel Back In Time
Tyra F,,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Kevin was a great guide traveling along the old Nakasendo trail. He knows the history and is an avid hiker in Japan. You will experience some of what commuters faced back in the day traveling between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). Bring fit legs (some stairs) and you will have a great time.
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