Kiso Valley (Nakasendo Trail)

Step back in time and explore the ancient Nakasendo trail, one of the  ‘Five Routes’ travelled by feudal lords on their way to the capital during the Edo period. Spanning 540 kilometres of stunning mountainous terrain between Kyoto and Tokyo, the Nakasendo trail features 69 post towns where travellers could rest during their long journey. The Kiso district is home to eleven of these historic post stations as well as one of the four security checkpoints, the Kiso-Fukushima  Checkpoint. These towns prospered from the traffic and the Nakasendo grew to be one of the greatest trade routes of the time. Although Japan modernised and traffic moved away from the area, the Kiso towns successfully preserved the aesthetic of the Edo period. The streets and façades of the era remain, and visitors can even stay in the traditional guesthouses, and shop and eat in historic buildings converted into other businesses.

The trail between Magome and Tsumago is a well-preserved section of the former Nakasendo highway. The walk is easy to moderate and well signposted in English. It is roughly 8 km in length and takes approximately three hours to complete at a relaxed pace and with breaks. The trail winds through the rural countryside, occasionally intersecting with the main road that hikers must walk along for short portions. A walk along the Magome–Tsumago trail is an essential  part of any visit to the Kiso Valley. See: Japan Journeys–Magome to Tsumago