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Tour Code: GTG379944

Nakasendo Trail Winter Tour

8 days 7 nights

fromUSD $2935.00 (Limit to 13 guests)

currency

Single Supplement: USD $365.00

More Details
Room Type Explained

Single Room

Single room types are rooms for single room occupants.
One person will be occupying the hotel room throughout the tour.

Twin Room

Twin room types are rooms set for two people who will occupy one room, but will have two separate beds.

Double Room

A double room is a room that has one bed for two people to share.

Triple Room

A triple room is one room where three people may share the same room. It has three separate beds.

Japanese Style Room

A Japanese-style room traditionally does not have a western-style bed, it is a tatami floor room with futon bedding. However, if you prefer a western-style bed, you may request one though we cannot guarantee it.

Please note: If you would like to request neighboring rooms next to your traveling companions, you and your traveling companions must have the same room types in order to be next to each other. For example, if you have requested a double room, but your traveling companions have requested a twin, or triple room, then neighboring rooms cannot be accommodated. However, if both you and your traveling companions match in room type, then neighboring rooms will likely be arranged for your convenience.

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

Winter is a fantastic season to visit Japan. Winter in Japan offers must-see sites blanketed in snow, savory seasonal dishes, and a list of winter activities for every traveler. Japan's winter season is vast depending on the region, but each are unique in beauty. Snow does not fall often in the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, but if you are lucky enough, being able to see Kyoto’s Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion covered by fresh snowfall is a scene that is truly breathtaking. Snow falls deeply further down the mountains and towards the Japan Sea coast. The winter landscapes of the traditional wooden villages of Magome and Tsumago against a backdrop of snowfall is something truly enchanting. Whether it be rejuvenating yourself in the warmth of a steaming- hot Japanese bath after a day outside, or sitting in an outdoor Rotemburo thermal water pool while the snowflakes flow gently through the air around you, there are so many reasons to choose winter for your walking adventure in Japan. There are fewer visitors, special seasonal foods, the absolutely beautiful illumination of some gardens, and many temples and shrines.

The Nakasendo trial connected Kyoto to Tokyo, formerly known as Edo, during Japan’s feudal period. As opposed to the Tokaido route, which spanned the Pacific coast, the Nakasendo Trail was known as the ‘road through the mountains’ which was traveled by feudal lords along with their retinues, samurai, merchants, and travelers. Along the route were 69 ‘post towns’ where tired travelers would rest before continuing onto their travels. Spending five days walking on the best parts of the trail, we will be able to enjoy the peace and serenity of the winter landscapes. Depending on how deep the snow is, we may use our snowshoes to follow the route. We will walk along quiet village roads as well as unpaved hill trails through the scenic Kiso Valley where we will have the opportunity to see some beautifully preserved old villages. We will stay overnight in traditional country inns and enjoy delectably warming regional cuisine prepared from the freshest ingredients. Soak in natural thermal hot springs and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts. There is nothing like ending our day of walking on the snowy trails like ending it with a Japanese bath.

Note: this is an intense rated hiking trip with some steady steep ascents and hikes over 4 hours.

Activity Level: Intense
Our Intense tours generally have dedicated days of trail walking, with some days of over four hours and with some ascent and/or descent.

Who is an Intense tour designed for?
- We recommend our Intense tours for anyone who does regular walking or hiking, and is comfortable walking a full day with some climbing and descending.
- If you do not exercise regularly, please practice walking for three to four hours, about three to six months prior to the tour in order to get the most out of your trip.

Accommodations
This itinerary contains overnight stays at Western Hotels, Ryokans, and Minshukus. Ryokans and Minshukus are more traditional accommodations, with a more casual hospitality than you will find at a hotel. At both a Ryokan and a Minshuku, you will stay in a simply furnished room and sleep on a futon, which is laid on a tatami mat.
Some Ryokans may have private bathrooms attached to your room, but others only have public bathrooms used by all the guests. Minshukus usually offer only a public bathroom – meaning either a smaller bathroom used one guest at a time, or larger bathrooms separated by gender (male & female), and designed to be used by multiple guests at once.

Tour Information

Dates & Price

2025

Start Date	End Date	Twin/Triple	Start City	End City	Style	Status
Wed. Jan 8, 2025	Wed. Jan 15, 2025	USD $2935.00 Small Group Limited to 13 passengers	Kyoto	Tokyo	Active	Guarantee / Book Now
Fri. Jan 17, 2025	Fri. Jan 24, 2025	USD $2935.00 Small Group Limited to 13 passengers	Kyoto	Tokyo	Active	Guarantee / Book Now
Sat. Feb 1, 2025	Sat. Feb 8, 2025	USD $2935.00 Small Group Limited to 13 passengers	Kyoto	Tokyo	Active	Guarantee / Book Now
Wed. Feb 12, 2025	Wed. Feb 19, 2025	USD $2935.00 Small Group Limited to 13 passengers	Kyoto	Tokyo	Active	Guarantee / Book Now
Sat. Mar 1, 2025	Sat. Mar 8, 2025	USD $2935.00 Small Group Limited to 13 passengers	Kyoto	Tokyo	Active	Sold Out / Waiting List

Please Note:

All prices are per person, based on twin (double on request) or triple occupancy.
International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!

We can arrange international flights for US customers if needed, please ask for details.

Deposit

A 20% deposit is required to hold the space at time of booking and final payment is due 2 months prior to departure. At least 4 passengers minimum are required to guarantee the tour’s departure. Booked passengers will be informed 3 months before the starting date if the tour is not guaranteed, and they will have the option to either cancel and refund the amount already paid, or transfer the payment to another tour.

What's included

• 7 nights in hotels and Japanese-style inns (Ryokan and Minshuku)
• All transportation between tour locations
• Forwarding of one item of luggage on 4 occasions
• Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional English speaking tour guide

Meals
• Breakfast everyday
• 7 dinners

Admission fees and activities
• All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary

What's NOT included

• International Airfares
• Airport transfers
• Meals that are not included in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
• For single travelers, this tour has a single supplement. The Single Supplement for this tour only applies to Western-style hotels. For Ryokan / Minshuku / Temple Lodging, you will be paired with another traveler of the same gender.

Additional Information

Transport

Public transportation

Arrival Departure Airports

For arrivals at Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX), this tour starts in Kyoto and ends in Tokyo, with departures at Narita Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND).

Meal Requests

Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.

Meet and Greet

Airport meet and greet and airport transfers are NOT included, but we will provide with full instructions in advance.

Itinerary In Brief

Day1 Meet in Kyoto
Day2 Travel to Nakatsugawa and walk to Magome
Day3 Magome to Tsumago
Day4 Tsumago to Kiso Fukushima
Day5 Kiso-Fukushima to Narai
Day6 Walk Narai to Kiso Hirasawa then travel to Asama Onsen
Day7 Travel to Tokyo
Day8 Tour ends

Click here for detailed itinerary

Tour schedule and prices subject to change without notice

Day1

Meet in Kyoto

Welcome to Kyoto! Meet at your tour hotel in the heart of Kyoto. We will then enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Welcome Dinner

The General Kyoto or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day2

Travel to Nakatsugawa and walk to Magome

Today we will travel by train to one of the old-post towns on the Nakasendo Trial, Nakatsugawa. The original main road through the town maintains its Edo Period atmosphere and heritage with its traditional sake shops, restaurants in the period wooden buildings and old storehouses. We will begin our journey here and walk towards the next post-town in Ochiai. From there we will ascend past cedar forests and walk through portion of the trail where its cobblestones date back to the Edo Period. For the next four days we will be exploring the best-preserved portions of the ancient Nakasendo Trail through villages and small settlements, all upon the enchanting winter scenery. Tonight, we will be lodging in a charming family-run inn in the post town of Magome.

Walking distance: 8.3 km / 5.2 miles
Elevation gain: 400 m / 1300 feet of ascent, 200 m / 650 feet of descent
Time required: 3 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Shinchaya or similar class (Minshuku)

Day3

Magome to Tsumago

From Magome, we will tread on towards Tsumago along one of the most beautiful and well-preserved parts of the Nakasendo Trail. We will most likely be given a fine opportunity for beautiful photographs with the snow that we encounter over the Magome Pass. After our walk there, we will have time to enjoy lunch in Tsumago. Afterwards in the afternoon we will be able to explore the many small shops along the post- town’s scenic main street along with its captivatingly old wooden architecture. You might also want to try goehi-mochi, skewered sticky rice covered in sweet miso paste, sesame, and walnuts. It was only a few decades ago that Tsumago was neglected and falling into disrepair; however, through concreted efforts by its residents, it has been saved and restored. Now, this post-town on the Nakasendo Trail is preserved by strict rules that prohibit the sale, rental, or destruction of the beautiful homes. You can call it a living museum; one which is still inhabited by local residents whose families have lived there for generations. Tonight, we will stay in Tsuamgo or the nearby hamlet of O-Tsumago at a family-run inn with a real sense of history.

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

Breakfast / Dinner

Maruya or similar class (Minshuku)

Day4

Tsumago to Kiso Fukushima

This morning we will continue our journey of Tsumago which will include a visit to the Wakihonji museum located within a building that dates back to the 19th century. We will begin day with short yet enjoyable walk after lunch from Tsumago to Nagiso through country lanes. After we arrive in Nagiso, we will board local train for the short journey towards the delightful post-town of Kiso-Fukushima which once used to be an important Sekisho checkpoint on the Nakasendo. We will walk along the town before heading out to our comfortable Ryokan inn just outside the community. The Ryokan prides itself on its fantastic cuisine and excellent indoor and outdoor thermal baths – a perfect way to rejuvenate yourselves after a long day and warm up on a winter evening.

Walking distance: 3.7 km / 2.3 miles
Elevation gain: 100m / 330 feet of ascent, 120m / 390 feet of descent
Time required: 1 hour

Breakfast / Dinner

Komanoyu or similar class (Minshuku)

Day5

Kiso-Fukushima to Narai

This is our fourth day on the Nakasendo Trail in which we will walk over the Torii Pass from Yabuhara to Narai. This portion of the tour is likely to have the deepest part of snow will provide with snowshoes if the snow is deep enough to make it easier to cross the path. This part of the journey is rewarding as we make our way through trees to the delightful village of Narai. Will arrive in time to have lunch in Narai at one of the small local restaurants as well as explore. Tonight, we will be staying at a charming family-run inn in the village.

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

Breakfast / Dinner

Iseya or similar class (Minshuku)

Day6

Walk Narai to Kiso Hirasawa then travel to Asama Onsen

Our journey through the Nakasendo Trail will end today with a short walk from Narai to Kiso Hirasawa. Kiso Hirasawa is very well-known for its locally produced lacquerware. The walk will take around an hour with a possible chance to the see the craftsmen there at work. From there we will then travel by train to Matsumoto, the castle town located right within the central alps. Here we will visit one of the four castles designated as National Treasures of Japan, Matsumoto. After our visit, we will board a local bus to and head towards Asama Onsen. This spa town has a history dating back 1,300 years where we will stay overnight at one of the most luxurious and authentic Ryokan inns, with its absolutely stunning wooden architecture from the Meiji Period.

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

Breakfast / Dinner

Kikunoyu or similar class (Onsen Ryokan)

Day7

Travel to Tokyo

Today we will leave Asama Onsen and head towards Tokyo by local train after breakfast. Once we arrive, we will leave our luggage at the hotel located in the heart of the city and enjoy a half-day walking tour of Tokyo, along with a visit to Hama-Rikyu gardens, located near the mouth of the Sumida-gawa river. There you will notice a remarkable contrast between the gardens and the lustrous towers of the new Shiodome business area just beyond. Afterwards we will visit Nihonbashi, known as ‘Japan Bridge’ in Japanese, which is considered to be the ‘center of Japan’ and the focus point for all Japan’s main roads since the Edo period. This is where the Nakasendo Trail would once have finished. We will then have a Farewell Dinner in the evening with your tour guide.

Breakfast / Farewell Dinner

Shiba Park Hotel or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day8

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Your guide will be there with you to help you with advice for traveling to the airport if you are returning home, as well as onward travel in Japan if you are continuing your travels.

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

PLEASE NOTE: These are the hotels All Japan Tours generally uses on the touring styles and regions shown. There is no guarantee that you will stay in the lodgings listed on the website. We encourage you to check your travel documentation for confirmation of the exact accommodation you will be staying in.

Destinations

Kyoto / Nakatsugawa / Magome / Tsumago / Kiso Fukushima / Narai / Kiso Hirasawa / Asama Onsen / Tokyo

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Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
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Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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Don't know which tour is suitable for you?

Nakasendo Trail Winter Tour 8 days 7 nights fromUSD $2935.00 (Limit to 13 guests) currency Single Supplement: USD $365.00

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

Tour Information

Dates & Price

Deposit

What's included

What's NOT included

Additional Information

Itinerary In Brief

Day1

Meet in Kyoto

Welcome Dinner

Day2

Travel to Nakatsugawa and walk to Magome

Breakfast / Dinner

Day3

Magome to Tsumago

Breakfast / Dinner

Day4

Tsumago to Kiso Fukushima

Breakfast / Dinner

Day5

Kiso-Fukushima to Narai

Breakfast / Dinner

Day6

Walk Narai to Kiso Hirasawa then travel to Asama Onsen

Breakfast / Dinner

Day7

Travel to Tokyo

Breakfast / Farewell Dinner

Day8

Tour Ends

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

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Nakasendo Trail Winter Tour

8 days 7 nights

fromUSD $2935.00 (Limit to 13 guests)

currency

Single Supplement: USD $365.00

Why Travel on Our
Group Tours