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
(25 Ratings)
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Stann_w
Dec 12, 2024
A must do if you are a historian enthusiast or just want to do something active and different in Japan. - This was a truly amazing experience that I would recommend to any and everyone. Our tour guide Matt was knowledgeable about the history of the Nakasendo trail and the area in general. He customized our tour to ensure we would be comfortable with the route and pace. He gave us lunch options, allowed for detours and answered all the questions we had.
Review provided by Viator
Juliana
Nov 13, 2024
Not often that one gets to hike on what was part of the samurai trail - It’s a 8km hike, climbing an altitude of 200meters within 2.2km and thereafter going downhill for most of the remaining trail (if you are going from Magome to Tsumago) Training for this hike would be good. Using trekking poles assist with stability; especially for seniors. Most of all, enjoy the journey. It’s interesting. There are steps to climb, cobbled pavements, paved sections but most of it is unpaved, well trodden trails. The greenery is diverse, from fungus on trees to straight tall trees to moss and low hanging branches. The trail is well marked. You won’t get lost. It’s an experience to be enjoyed, while thinking of the samurais who treaded this route. Life is but experiences. Walk like the samurais.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hoffmann5
Oct 17, 2024
Amazing and fairly easy hike - Loved this beautiful hike. We started at Magome and ended in Nigaso as the train back to our hotel in Matsumoto went from there… the whole walk is amazing - but especially the part into Hashiba is wonderful… kids 13, 17, 18 loved it as well…
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lizsn3685ca
Oct 12, 2024
Amazing Hike! - Matt was my tour guide for the hike and he was amazing! He taught me so much about the history of the Nakasendo that I would not have learned if I had just hiked the path alone. It really added a lot to the experience and I’m so glad I decided to hire him as my guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area and was able to answer any questions I had. And on top of that he was very friendly and personable and I had a great time chatting with him. The hike itself is absolutely beautiful and rewarding. The views of the mountains are incredible. Magome and Tsumago are so charming. Some areas can be a bit of a challenging uphill, but overall not too difficult and pleasant hike in the woods. It is an experience I will always remember and absolutely one of my favorite hikes of all time. - Liz S.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
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
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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