Private Tour
Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Kiso Valley, best known for the Magome and Tsumago traditional villages, is another beautiful spot in the Japanese Alps. With one of the most famous hiking paths in all Japan, we set foot there on our quest for traditional Japan.
Magome and Tsumago are two beautifully preserved traditional villages. This value-packed Nakasendo trail day hike between Magome and Tsumago with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore both of the ancient post towns!
It is about 8 kilometres (5 miles) long and has only gentle elevation changes which takes around 2 hours to easy walk at a leisurely pace.
This private tour is a hiking day tour. Please wear hiking boots and gear for this tour. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
This tour is not available from December until the end of February due to icy conditions. Please book Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide if you wish to visit these areas. You must use the bus to visit these areas and will not able to hike.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Nakasendo Magome-juku
While Magome and Tsumago served the same purposes for old-time travelers, the city has been preserved and restored in a very different way than Tsumago, with a broad stone walkway lined with trees and many traditional houses and craft shops. Another difference is that it is on a slope, which leads to some beautiful views of the surrounding valley, and is home to several small museums that showcase the history of the town, the artists that lived there and their way of living. I would recommend grabbing a drink or something to eat at the restaurants on top of the village and enjoy the views over the valley, or at the lower part to mix with the very interesting locals.
Nakasendo Tsumagojuku
Tsumago is almost flat but also a very charming village that takes you back to the old Japan. The town was one of the first historical preservation projects in all Japan (if not the first) and it recreates the ambience with its unpaved streets and concealed cables. It keeps many of the traditional houses, like the original inn (the Honjin) that welcomed the merchants that traveled the Nakasendo, and the secondary inn (Wakihonjin), the old notice board used to publish the decrees from the Shogun, the Buddhist temple (built during the XVI Century)… But you’ll find it even more charming on it’s best enjoyed at night, when they lit up their lanterns and everything becomes quiet but, maybe, a drum beating.
What‘s Included
Meet up with guide on foot at a designated meeting point
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
Private Vehicle
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Options
Magome & Tsumago Nakasendo Trail Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
Reviews
38 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Guide for a memorable walk
Sylvia K,,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Hiroshi-San was an excellent guide. Gave us a history of Japan before we started the walk so we have understanding of the Nakasendo walk history. He was a gentleman and speaks English well as he lived in USA for a long time. He was attentive and very helpful holding my arm as I navigate the downhill slope as I was afraid of falling, We enjoyed Hiroshi-San company very much. It is better to have a guide as we saw some people taking the wrong way and Hiroshi-San alerted them ... perhaps they are on wrong path. Definitely recommend Hiroshi-San as a guide. He also does Nagoya tours
Wonderful day in the countryside
Karen W,,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved walking the trail and learning a lot of history from our awesome guide Ito. You can hike it on your own but we thought it was worth it to learn so much about the area. He also took us through a museum and explained everything - nothing in English. He also gave great suggestions for regional foods. Bring cash because you’ll need it for restaurants, museum, trains, cabs, busses.
Wonderful Nakasendo trail hike
Wanda H,,Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I had a wonderful day hiking the Nakasendo trail. I would highly recommend my guide Hiroshi. He was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly. He elevated the hiking experience, arranging a stop for a soba lunch, and a visit to a waki-honjin museum. He even assisted my with navigating transportation back to Nagoya. I ended the day with deeper appreciation of the beauty, history and culture of the area and Japan. This was on of the best tours I have taken.
Wonderful Nakasendo trail hike
wandahB6389XA,,Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a wonderful day hiking the Nakasendo trail. I would highly recommend my guide Hiroshi. He was knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. He elevated the hiking experience, arranging a stop for a soba lunch, and a visit to a waki-honjin museum. He even assisted me with navigating transportation back to Nagoya. I ended the day with a deeper appreciation of the beauty, history and culture of the area and Japan. This was one of the best tours I have taken.
Great day from Magome to Tsumago
happytrav11,,Jun 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day with Yoshi despite the full day of rain walking from Magome to Tsumago. Yoshi shared about the history and background to the Nakasendo and also brought us to a lovely spot for lunch and was great with our two boys with little gifts for them. It was a very enjoyable walk on the misty track and we were glad to have Yoshi guiding us. Highly recommended.
Great walk but expensive
michellexyz12,,May 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very enjoyable walk albeit overpriced for what was on offer. Matt, our guide was friendly and good company. He brought us to a great lunch venue, the food was excellent. This walk could easily be done independently.
Wonderful walking experience
clarep247,,Apr 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Matt was a great host. He was friendly and informative. He gave our nine year old daughter many quizzes along the way to keep her entirely engaged. Although we could have probably done the walk by ourselves we got so much insight from the guided tour. Thank you!
Magome to Tsumago
Lora G,,Apr 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Enomoto was the perfect guide. He knew a lot of history, kept me engaged in learning, knew all the good spots (especially the sobe!) and was kind and thoughtful. The walk itself is sublime and Tsumago is so beautiful. Thank you Japan.
A Bit of History while Enjoying the Beauty of Japan
Nancykinla,,Apr 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This hike has been the highlight of our trip. Our guide, Matt-san was the perfect guide, introducing us to the Shogunate while leading us through the beautiful hills between the two post towns. Such a treat to have a delicious homegrown meal prepared by locals. Matt-san was knowledgable, professional and his explanations, insightful. Thank you Matt-san!
Great Hike with a great Guide
uglyfoot,,Apr 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00"Matt" was an excellent guide. We had an amazing hike. He kept us moving along the trail with great stories about the area and the history. He was patient when we wanted to go a little slower and showed us great views of the waterfall. Yummy lunch and beautiful views along the way. Highly recommend Matt for your hiking guide!!
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