Step into history along the Nakasendo, once traveled by Edo-period wayfarers, and the Ontake Pilgrimage Trail leading to a sacred mountain. As you walk the stone-paved paths lined with towering cedar trees, timeless landscapes of Japan unfold before you.
This two-day journey is more than a walk—it is a living encounter with the spirit of Kiso. Beyond tracing historic routes, you will experience the culture of old post towns through traditional rituals and meet the people who carry on Kiso’s way of life.
Hear the plaintive songs of the Kiso-bushi preserved by local performers, meet those who protect the “Five Sacred Trees of Kiso” such as hinoki and sawara, and learn from artisans keeping centuries-old crafts alive. Through their voices and demonstrations, you will feel the enduring spirit of the valley and the warmth of its community.
Embrace stories woven by mountains and people as you walk these historic roads.
Enjoy two unforgettable days in Kiso—an autumn journey where the joy of walking meets the deep charm of local culture.

HIGHLIGHTS
・Edo Post Town Culture – Relive the Edo Traveler’s Experience with Walks Through Magome and Tsumago Post Towns, Historical Processions, and Kiso Dance

・Life Among Mountains and Kiso People – Experience Kiso Valley Living Through Encounters and Exchange with Woodworkers and Guardians of Kiso’s Five Treasures

・Faith and Local Sake – Encounter the Spirit of Mountain Worship on the Ontake Ancient Path, Savor Kiso’s Bounty at Yukawa Sake Brewery, a Yabuhara-juku Institution

Day 01

Nakasendo Kiso-ji Where Tradition Lives On ― Connecting with People Living with the Mountains

Meet at Nakatsugawa Station in the morning, and your journey begins with a guide. Spend the morning walking from Magome-juku to Tsumago-juku. As you stroll along the stone-paved slopes and streets lined with lattice doors, images of travelers from the Edo period naturally come to mind (some sections involve vehicle transfer).
Along the trail, we'll sample “Mulberry Leaf Sweets” from Okuwa, developed collaboratively by local junior high students and a local patissier. Arriving at Tsumago-juku, we'll find the annual “Bunka-Bunsei Folk Customs Procession” in full swing, with people dressed in Edo-period attire parading through the town. It's an extraordinary moment, like stepping into a historical world.
In the afternoon, visit the village of woodturners and tour a traditional lathe workshop. In the afternoon, visit the village of woodturners and tour a traditional lathe workshop. Along the way, enjoy “Mulberry Leaf Sweets” from Okuwa as a snack and as trail snacks for the next day. These special sweets were created in collaboration with local junior high school students and a local patissier. You'll also meet people dedicated to preserving Kiso cypress and Japanese white pine, engaged in forest conservation and aromatherapy. Experience the spirit of Kiso, living in harmony with the forest. That night, we stayed at a hotel in Kiso Town. After checking in, an exchange with the Kiso Dance Preservation Society awaited. We enjoyed the melancholic songs and dances, sipped local sake from our own “my guinomi” cups, and shared the inn town night with fellow travelers.

Accommodation: Hotel Kiso Onsen Kogane no Yu Glamping Ontake
A unique resort located at the foot of Mount Ontake, combining a hot spring hotel with a glamping experience surrounded by nature.

Day 02

The Ancient Trail to Ontake Kodo—Experience Mountain Worship and the Blessings of Kiso

Leaving the hotel behind, we walk along the ancient trail leading to the sacred mountain, Mt. Ontake. This roughly three-hour trail hike takes us through dappled sunlight and crisp mountain air as we trace the path pilgrims once walked with our own feet. It's a moment to feel the unique spirituality of Kiso, where nature and prayer intertwine.

After the trail hike, enjoy a local bento lunch prepared by mothers from the community at the long-established Yukawa Sake Brewery in Yabuhara-juku. While there, listen to stories about local sake culture and their brewing methods using local water and rice, and savor the blessings of Kiso through tastings in a warm and welcoming atmosphere that eases the tension of travel.

If time permits, stop by Narai-juku, the largest post town along the Kiso Road. Stroll through the long townscape once called “Narai Senken” (Narai's Thousand Houses) and breathe in the atmosphere of the Nakasendo one last time.

The journey ends at Kiso-Fukushima Station. Here, the two-day Kiso journey, enriched by the highway, paths of faith, culture, and encounters with people, draws to a close.

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