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
4.8
(33 Ratings)
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Michellexyz12
May 4, 2025
Great walk but expensive - Very 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Clarep247
Apr 29, 2025
Wonderful walking experience - Matt 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lora
Apr 21, 2025
Magome to Tsumago - Enomoto 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancykinla
Apr 17, 2025
A Bit of History while Enjoying the Beauty of Japan - This 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Uglyfoot
Apr 17, 2025
Great Hike with a great Guide - "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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Cecilia_c
Apr 13, 2025
This was such a beautiful... - This was such a beautiful way to see the countryside of Japan. Although we saw many travelers guiding themselves, I’m very happy that I booked this experience with a guide as Elvis was a great person to navigate us through the hike and provide us with some information as well as help us plan the logistics of our travel in and out of Nagano. He took such good care of us was a wonderful guide and photographer. Although I may have underestimated the intensity of the hike, it’s very much doable and definitely worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Bob3778
Mar 4, 2025
A lifetime in a day. - The tour was awesome. It was as good as we thought it would be even though we did only from Magome to Tsumago. Our guide Mat so kindly informed us about the weather conditions and that gave us enough time to buy walking sticks and crampons. Without this equipment we dont know how we could have managed the walk in such cold, icy and slippery conditions. It was a life saver. All throughout the day Mat also explained various shrines and milestones and the history behind them. Was very informative. We will definitely be coming back and using this service again soon. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
Alfa30
Mar 18, 2025
Traditional Middle Eastern village - Beautiful visit to these villages on the Nakasendo road, central street with wooden houses with roofs of the time, full of shops with local products
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $60
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).