Nakasendo Trail Day Hike: Explore Traditional Magome & Tsumago with a Licensed Guide

Embark on a value-packed Nakasendo trail day hike between Magome and Tsumago with a licensed guide. Explore traditional villages, enjoy gentle elevation changes, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Japanese Alps.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 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…
What's Included
  • Meet up with guide on foot at a designated meeting point
  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
What's Not Included
  • 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.
Additional Information

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…

Location
Magome
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(23 Ratings)
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Global25528487494
Sep 19, 2024
Beautiful scenery - Great half day walk, no guide required if you like to go at your own pace. Pack a few bottles and refreshments as there's not much along the way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
25aditib
Jun 23, 2024
Nakasendo trail with a guide - We are so glad we signed up for this experience and grateful to our tour guide for the fabulous organization. We couldn't have done this by ourselves! We were travelling with 2 kids and mom (who is 68) and our guide for the day did a wonderful job of finding us the transfers when our group couldn't walk. We did everything we wanted and reached our hotel at a great time too. Amazing day! Would highly recommend Japan Guide Agency's services. A big thank you to our guide Ms Tomoko Tabata! We had a great time with her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
501tianan
May 31, 2024
Excellent cultural experience - Our guide Kato was wonderful and knowledgeable about the history, towns and forest. The hike starts out with a walk through Magome after a short bus. The first part of the trail is up hill for about 2km and then starts to descend for the last 5km to Tsumago. You will pass through temperate rainforest similar to the Pacific Northwest of North America, streams, farming village, gardens, stores with ice cream and water. This is a moderate activity with rocky and slippery terrain full of history, and monuments. Take the trail down to the waterfalls, it’s worth it. Eat the soba noodles and fried rice balls, stop for tea, wear good walking/hiking shoes, bring water, there are a few public washrooms (very clean) along the way, and bring change for the bus, lunch and the train.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deblau59
Apr 29, 2024
Beautiful Day! - Wonderful day with Matt along the Nakasendo Trail from Magome to Tsumago. From the beginning to meeting Matt at the train station, the communication and instructions were excellent. He told us exactly what to do and I even sent him a picture of my train tickets to make sure we purchased the right trains. The hike was informative, fun and beautiful. My friends and I loved the hike and enjoyed our time with Matt. Next time we have to hike more of the Nakasendo Trail.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_p
Apr 17, 2024
Money and day well spent! - This particular hike was a perfect amateur level hike. Good enough to get the blood going but not outrageously difficult. My tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and an absolute delight to spend the day with. I would even do this same hike again with a guide. 10/10 would recommend
Review provided by Viator
Roam56510423691
Feb 12, 2024
Amazing Nakasendo Way Winter Day Hike - We had a lovely time exploring the Nakasendo Way with our guide Matt. He planned our itinerary quickly and was very responsive to our questions, even during the holidays. He gave us tips so we could prepare for the winter hike, advising us to bring walking sticks and snow boots or crampons. He also arranged our sumptuous brunch at the halfway point between Magome and Tsumago. We enjoyed Matt's stories about samurai, the Nakasendo way, and life during the Edo period as we went along. He entertained our questions and took some pics too. The place was magical and the stories made it even more alive for us. Our guide adjusted to our pace, allowed us to relish the moment, and kept track of time. We like the short break at the tea house on the way to Tsumago. Hiking down through snowy slopes was new to us, but he made sure we were safe. Thank you, Matt! We will be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Imemmajane
Jan 31, 2024
Magical winter wonderland - This is such an amazing walk! We had a 7 year old and 10 year old with us and it was very doable. Lots of snow throughout the walk which made for a really magical experience. Because of this there were areas where it was very icy and we had to take our time, but we had good snow boots on which made for easy walking. Some good steep climbs and descends along the way and some amazing waterfalls. It’s an ancient walk with a lot of history. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lottie_m
May 3, 2024
Great tour - Tour guide was great - very insightful and provided a good day out - the waterfalls viewing point didn’t really exist as could not see anything due to the trees
Review provided by Viator
David_w
Apr 21, 2024
Exceeded our expectations in every way - Our guide was Enomoto ("Matt") Masatake. I connected with Matt via email and Whatsapp before our arrival in Japan. He was extremely professional and responsive. We took the train from Matsumoto to Nagatsugawa where we met Matt. Then took a bus with him to the starting point in Magome. The hike exceeded our expectations in every way. The physical challenge was greater than we expected, but certainly mamageable. Magome is a beautiful town. The terrain and tour route was more beautiful than we expected. After we left Magome, the crowds thinned out considerably. Matt arramged for an early lunch along the way and, of course, we stopped at the tea house as well. At the end of the hike, we enjoyed a coffee with Matt. Finally, he accompanied us by bus to Nagiso railway station for our return trip to Matsumoto. If was a tiring, yet rewarding day. Matt educated us about the history of the route, the nature and culture.
Review provided by Viator
63carlos
Jan 13, 2024
Nice walk. Recommended - We already made this walk in 2013. Beautiful walk through the woods. Way uphill. Back downhill. Halfway invited by a very friendly old gentleman for a cup of tea. Unfortunately didn't speak English. Recommended. And if this gentleman still lives there. Leave a gesture of gratitude.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
November 2024
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