I Hiked 72 Hours to Japan’s Most Isolated Mountain Village 🇯🇵 The Nakasendo

@Abroad in Japan

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Embark on a 3-day, 100km hike along the historic Nakasendo Trail, exploring untouched mountain villages, tasting local dishes, and experiencing a rustic way of life far from Japan's cities.

9 places · 6 experiences

Experience · 4 places
Hike the Nakasendo Trail's Otaki-juku to Magome Pass
Start your Nakasendo journey at Otaki-juku, the 'bit most folks miss out,' for a challenging uphill climb through a mysterious forest of moss-covered stone steps. Be warned: you'll need a bear bell, as there have been recent bear attacks! After about 2 hours, you'll emerge to the beautiful view of Magome-juku nestled high on the mountainside. Continue through Magome Pass, crossing from Gifu into Nagano prefecture, feeling Japan shed its modern skin amidst warm stone steps, whispering cedar trees, and rushing mountain streams. This section is tough, especially with a 10kg backpack, but the spiritual feeling is worth it.
1
Nakasendo Trail
Creator's voice
The Nakasendo is a legendary 500km route through the mountains of central Japan, once taken by folks to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. It's no exaggeration to say it's the most beautiful place in Japan, offering a rustic way of life far removed from urban cityscapes. Our journey covers a 100km stretch over 3 days, passing through around eight post towns, each with its own distinct identity.
Nakasendo, Japan
2
Otaki-juku
Tourist attraction · Gujo
4.1Closed · opens tomorrow 8 AM
Creator's voice
The starting point for a challenging, less-traveled section of the Nakasendo Trail. It rewards hikers with a mysterious forest of moss-covered stone steps, but be prepared for a relentless uphill climb.
Japan, 〒501-4205 Gifu, Gujo, Hachimancho Akuda, 2298 大滝鍾乳洞
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Magome-juku
Nakatsugawa
Creator's voice
Probably my favorite town on the Nakasendo Trail, Magome-juku literally means 'horse basket' as travelers once left their horses here before the steep path. It has a beautiful 'Kyoto in the mountains' vibe with gushing streams and tantalizing food smells. It can feel a bit like a theme park compared to Sumago-juku.
Magome, Nakatsugawa, Gifu 508-0502, Japan
Oyaki dumplings — The most famous dish on the Nakasendo, these oyaki dumplings have nice sesame seed patterns on top and are filled with pickled vegetables. They are very fulfilling and salty, though Natki doesn't like them because he finds them to have a 'grandma taste.'
4
Sumago-juku
Tourist attraction · Nagiso
4.3 (211)Closed · opens tomorrow 8:30 AM
Creator's voice
One of the first towns on the Nakasendo Trail to make sure it didn't modernize, Sumago-juku has all its cables buried underground and no modern electric neon signs. Unlike Magome, it feels like 'the real thing' where people actually live. Most shops close by 5:00 p.m., so arrive early if you want to explore.
Tsumago-juku, 2196-1 Azuma, Nagiso, Kiso District, Nagano 399-5302, Japan
Oyaki bun — Sumago-juku's best oyaki bun restaurant stays open a few minutes longer than other shops, offering a much-needed chance to recharge after a long day of hiking. I've eaten these twice on this trip, and they're very good.
Experience · 2 places
Tea with a forest engineer on the Magome-Sumago Trail
afternoon
Halfway along the Magome-Sumago Trail, stumble upon a small, mysterious house with a sign inviting travelers inside. You'll find a shack filled with trinkets and ornaments, and if you're lucky, a friendly stranger (a retired engineer from Nagoya) will appear with two cups of tea. He'll offer words of encouragement about bears, and you'll leave feeling refreshed and amused by his unique sense of humor.
1
Nakasendo Trail
Creator's voice
The Nakasendo is a legendary 500km route through the mountains of central Japan, once taken by folks to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. It's no exaggeration to say it's the most beautiful place in Japan, offering a rustic way of life far removed from urban cityscapes. Our journey covers a 100km stretch over 3 days, passing through around eight post towns, each with its own distinct identity.
Nakasendo, Japan
5
Roadside Self-Service Shop
Coffee shop · 野
4.3Closed
Creator's voice
A surprising discovery in the remote section of the Nakasendo Trail, this 'shop' is essentially a shelf offering instant noodles, Chip Star (a Pringles ripoff), and Soy Joy. You pay by putting money into a fee box. It's a welcome sight when you're hungry and far from civilization.
Japan, 〒381-0038 Nagano, 野Higashiwada, 930-1 あおぞら市場24時間自動販売機
Instant noodles — A cup of instant noodles from the self-service shop. It's pretty good, on par with cup noodle, especially when you're so hungry that anything tastes good.
Experience · 1 place
Campsite BBQ and 'Flat Dog' Breakfast
evening
After surviving your first day of hiking, your reward is a glamorous tent with a barbecue. Rummage through the campsite rations to find a pile of local meat for dinner. Chef Natsky will kick off a much-needed banquet with high-quality beef. The next morning, wake up to a spectacular view overlooking the valley and try Natsky's invented dish, 'flat dog' – a hot dog that's not been rolled up, with unmelted cheese and uncooked sausages. It's an experience!
- Local meat barbecue — A pile of high-quality local meat, including chicken yakitori, cooked on the barbecue at the campsite. It's an amazing dish after a long day of hiking.
- Flat dog — Natsky's invented breakfast dish: a hot dog that's not been rolled up, with unmelted cheese and uncooked sausages. It's a unique, if not entirely appetizing, way to start a remote hiking day.
1
Nakasendo Trail
Creator's voice
The Nakasendo is a legendary 500km route through the mountains of central Japan, once taken by folks to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. It's no exaggeration to say it's the most beautiful place in Japan, offering a rustic way of life far removed from urban cityscapes. Our journey covers a 100km stretch over 3 days, passing through around eight post towns, each with its own distinct identity.
Nakasendo, Japan
Experience · 2 places
Remote Nakasendo Hike and Roadside Shop Discovery
morning
Embark on the most remote section of the Nakasendo, a 16km route with a 400m incline through a deep, untouched valley. There are no convenience stores or restaurants, so pack plenty of water. The morning sun beams through the forest, and breathtaking paths wind along steep mountainsides, offering some of the best views of the trip. You'll find peaceful, quaint villages with the rustling of cedar trees and gushing streams. If you're lucky, you might stumble upon a self-service roadside shop, which is really just a shelf with noodles, Chip Star, and Soy Joy, where you put money in a fee box. You might even meet a friendly dog!
1
Nakasendo Trail
Creator's voice
The Nakasendo is a legendary 500km route through the mountains of central Japan, once taken by folks to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. It's no exaggeration to say it's the most beautiful place in Japan, offering a rustic way of life far removed from urban cityscapes. Our journey covers a 100km stretch over 3 days, passing through around eight post towns, each with its own distinct identity.
Nakasendo, Japan
6
Kiso Fukushima
Kiso
Creator's voice
A glorious town on the Nakasendo, more peaceful than Magome and Sumago-juku, with a retro aesthetic reminiscent of the 1960s. It's known for the majestic surrounding mountains and a roaring stream that runs throughout the town.
Fukushima, Kiso, Kiso District, Nagano 397-0001, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Riverside Foot Bath in Kiso Fukushima
morning
Wake up in Kiso Fukushima to the majestic surrounding mountains and the roaring stream that runs throughout the town. This stream can become your very own private foot bath, albeit a rather cold one. It takes about 20 to 30 seconds for your feet to adjust to the icy cold mountain water, but it's incredibly refreshing and good for your sore muscles after hiking.
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Tori Pass
Mountain pass · Kiso
4.2 (15)
Creator's voice
The most difficult stretch of the Nakasendo Trail, featuring a 1,200m climb over a massive mountain. It's my favorite section due to its mysterious atmosphere, tall cedar trees, and ancient shrines like Ontake Shrine, where you can feel the presence of past travelers.
Torii Pass, Yabuhara, Kiso, Kiso District, Nagano 399-6201, Japan
Mountain spring water — Stone-cold, beautiful mountain water that comes from 500m up the mountain. You really need it on a tough day of hiking.
Experience · 3 places
Hike the Nakasendo Trail's Tori Pass to Narai-juku
afternoon
Begin your final leg over the notorious Tori Pass, the most difficult stretch of the Nakasendo, with a 1,200m climb over a massive mountain. People would often die here, needing a place to rest and forget their endurance, which is why Narai-juku is known as the 'town of a thousand houses.' Tori Pass is my favorite section of the Nakasendo due to its real air of mystery, tall cedar trees, shrines like Ontake Shrine where well-wishers prayed for good fortune, and the palpable ghosts of hundreds of people who passed here centuries ago. You'll be rewarded with one of the greatest views of the entire Nakasendo as you descend into Narai-juku.
1
Nakasendo Trail
Creator's voice
The Nakasendo is a legendary 500km route through the mountains of central Japan, once taken by folks to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. It's no exaggeration to say it's the most beautiful place in Japan, offering a rustic way of life far removed from urban cityscapes. Our journey covers a 100km stretch over 3 days, passing through around eight post towns, each with its own distinct identity.
Nakasendo, Japan
8
Narai-juku
Historical landmark · Shiojiri
4.4Closed
Creator's voice
Known as the 'town of a thousand houses' and the most glamorous, spectacular, and biggest historic town on the Nakasendo Trail. It's bustling with far more shops and restaurants than other post towns, and it's home to John Lennon's favorite ice cream shop. It looks incredible at dusk.
Narai-juku, Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano 399-6303, Japan
Renovated wooden townhouse accommodation — Hidden away down an alleyway, this accommodation is a serious upgrade from camping. It features a renovated wooden townhouse with an impressive garden and a jaw-dropping interior, offering a much-awaited bath after days of hiking.
9
John Lennon's Favorite Ice Cream Shop
Store · Nagano
4.3Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Creator's voice
This shop in Narai-juku claims to be John Lennon's favorite ice cream spot, with a sign quoting him saying he'd 'never had vanilla ice cream this good.' It's a popular stop in the bustling historic town.
Japan, 〒380-0851 Nagano, Motoyoshicho−483 Suyakame Zenkōji, 善光寺仁王門北側
Vanilla ice cream · ¥400 — John Lennon supposedly said he'd 'never had vanilla ice cream this good' here. While Natki doesn't believe it, Lennon did holiday nearby. I rated it a 6 out of 10, preferring the Rolling Stones.