Experience all of the Samurai Trail(Nakatsugawa to Nagiso)

This course offers a complete experience of the Samurai Trail.
Walk along the original stone-paved paths, discover the nature and history of the Edo period, and immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture.
As our most recommended course, it provides a rich and rewarding journey, though it does require time and a moderate level of physical fitness.

Route

Bus to Tsumago-juku

1Bus to Tsumago-juku

From Nagiso Station, it takes about 7 minutes by bus to reach Tsumago-juku.

Tsumago-juku

2Tsumago-juku

Get off the bus at Tsumago and walk uphill to the start of the Nakasendo Trail.

brightness_alertThere are no places to eat or drink along the Nakasendo Trail. If you don’t have any drinks, buy some here.

Nature walk

3Nature walk

You can walk along an old mountain path where you can hear the gentle sound of a small stream and experience the traditional landscape of old Japan.

Pass Ichikokutochi Chaya

4Pass Ichikokutochi Chaya

After leaving Tsumago-juku and walking for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, you will reach Ichikokutochi Chaya teahouse, a traditional old house with a rest area.

Magome Viewpoint

5Magome Viewpoint

After walking for about one and a half hours, you will enter Magome-juku. Just after entering, there is a spot with a beautiful view.

Magome-juku

6Magome-juku

Magome-juku is a historic town that prospered as a post town along the Nakasendo. Old townscapes remain along the stone-paved slope, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of travel in the Edo period. Surrounded by mountains and nature, it offers a quiet and traditional landscape of Japan.

Shimazaki Tōson Memorial Museum

7Shimazaki Tōson Memorial Museum

This is a museum dedicated to Shimazaki Tōson, who is famous as a poet who helped pioneer modern Japanese poetry and as a novelist representing naturalist literature.

Waterwheels in Magome-juku

8Waterwheels in Magome-juku

There are many highlights in Magome-juku. This waterwheel is one of them.

Tanada – Terraced Rice Fields

9Tanada – Terraced Rice Fields

Between Magome-juku and the stone-paved path, you can see terraced rice fields that are unique to Japan.

Ishidatami

10Ishidatami

After walking for about 40 minutes, you will reach an original stone-paved path that has remained since the Edo period.
\n You can follow this historic route through nature, once walked by samurai.
\n There are some gentle ups and downs along the way.

Sabōtei – Erosion Control Dam along Ochiai River

11Sabōtei – Erosion Control Dam along Ochiai River

Japan receives a lot of rain, and sabo dams are used to help prevent water-related disasters.

Bus stop Kisoji-guchi(木曽路口)

12Bus stop Kisoji-guchi(木曽路口)

About 40 minutes from the stone-paved path, there is a bus stop. From there, take the bus and you will arrive at Nakatsugawa Station in about 12 minutes.

Arrive at Nakatsugawa station.

13Arrive at Nakatsugawa station.

Required Time

Approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes.

Cost

420 yen one way

Bus Stop Locations

・Nakatsugawa Station Bus Stop

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WNfFFE1GpFZRXaNu6?g_st=ipc
Bus Timetable

・Magome Bus Stop

https://maps.app.goo.gl/B4P1KWLcuJRaizA99?g_st=ipc

How to Return to the Starting Point

Nagiso station

To return to Nakatsugawa Station, the most common route is to walk from Tsumago-juku to Minami Kiso Station (a 20-minute walk) and then take the train back to Nakatsugawa Station.
There is also a bus route back from Tsumago, but be aware that buses stop running after 5:00 PM.