Nakasendo Way: An Ultimate Guide on the Historical Postal Route

Nakasendo Way, literally the trail through the mountains in Japanese, connected Edo (Tokyo today) and Kyoto via the Kiso Valley in mountains. In the Edo Age (1603-1868 AD), these were the most important two cities around Japan, and Nakasendo Way became one of five major roads in that period. It played a role as the postal trail to deliver messages as well as a convenient way for people to shuttle between the two regions. The 69 post towns along the way were bustling, while some are still flourishing to provide a resting place for travelers and hikers, together with a retro image of Edo Age.

Nakasendo Way

Basic Information of Nakasendo Way:

Distance: About 534 kilometers (332 miles) for the whole course

Post Towns: 69 towns

East End: Nihonbashi, Tokyo

West End: Sanjo Ohashi Bridge, Kyoto

Difficulty for Hiking: low difficulty

Time Needed: about 18-20 days for the whole way

Note:

The whole course of Nakasendo Way is quite long, and some sections have been abandoned. For beginners, the developed sections are easy at a lower difficulty, with quite many facilities of transportation, communications, power supplies, and houses, etc.

A Glance of Magome Post Town

Highlights – What to Expect

A glimpse of ancient Japan in Edo Period at old post towns

Amazing wild landscapes of Japan via the trail through mountains

Old shrines, temples and niches for a Shinto or Buddhist statue along the way

69 Post Towns – the Stations for Rest & Accommodation

There are 69 post towns in total on Nakasendo Way. These were the rest stations for travelers, merchants, samurai, and monks strolling around the country, apart from each other every 7-10 kilometers (4.3-6.2 miles). The old post towns are well-preserved in Edo style, showing you what Nakasendo Way was like in that age. Nowadays, the post towns provide accommodation and more services for travelers, becoming the places to rest, get supplies, and sleep at night. There are usually convenience stores, shops of local specialties, inns or homestays, and other sites to visit probably.

Narai, or called Narai-juku, was the most thriving post town on Nakasendo Way. At the retro atmosphere, hikers can explore the small town with old local house with courtyard survived from the early 19th century, restaurants of well-known soba noodles, stores of local sakes and souvenirs, old temple and shrine, etc.

Tsumago is regarded as one of the best-preserved ancient towns in Japan. In addition to the landscapes & retro vibe, the history museum and a pair of waterfalls nearby are also sightworthy.

Magome is the last post town at the southernmost end of Kiso Valley. It is also a natural open-air museum of ancient Japan in Edo Age. It is feasible to overlook the town on mountain top, and take a stroll on the cobble street with dazzling stores.

Post Town on Nakasendo Way

Best Part of Nakasendo Way

Kiso Valley, the section along the Kiso River, is the best part of Nakasendo Way. This is also the most developed and the most popular section for hiking. As it goes through Kiso Valley, it was named as Kisokaido before the name Nakasendo Way was given in Edo Period. Also, it has been called Kisoji at local. The section is located north from Niekawa in Nagano Prefecture and south to Magome in Gifu Prefecture, in an approximate length of 70 kilometers (43.5 miles).

In particular, the southernmost section of Kisoji, between Tsumago and Magome, is the part appealing to most visitors and hikers. It’s easier to go from Magome to Tsumago, as the upslope journey is much less than the downslope trips.

Read more about Hiking on Nakasendo Way - Between Magome & Tsumago

Best Time for Hiking on Nakasendo Way

March to May & October to November are the best time to hike Nakasendo Way, as the spring and autumn climate is pleasant. Meanwhile, you would have an opportunity to see cherry blossoms in the end of March and early April, or appreciate fall foliage in early November.

Nakesendo Trail in Woods with Bear Bell

Is The Trail of Nakasendo Way Difficult?

It is not difficult to hike on Nakasendo Way. Although some parts of the trail have been run-down and wild, it’s relatively easier to walk in general. Regardless of the steps or unsurfaced trail, they are not too rough to pass through. Moreover, the personal safety is not a problem in Japan, and many guideposts are erected densely, making travelers easy to find their road. All things are friendly to hiking beginners.

However, the problem is, Nakasendo Way is very long, which would make hikers weary to finish the entire course. You’d better make a complete plan before your hiking.

Will You Meet A Bear On the Way?

Warning Board for Bear

There is a probability to come across bears on some wild sections, such as Torii Pass and Magome Pass. It’s advised to ring the bell roadsides to drive bear away, or you can take a bell by yourself. If you see a warning board of bear or the bear bell on the road, please pass the stretch of road quickly. Never get close to or even tease these creatures in the wild.

Are There Toilets on Nakasendo Way?

There are toilets along the Nakasendo Way, especially at an attraction, tourist information center, or homestays and more sites at the post towns. Generally, it is much easier to get a toilet at the post towns.

But, the toilets in the countryside and mountains might be not as good as those in cities. There is not always a flush toilet on the way, please get ready for it when you start your hiking journey.

How Many Days Do You Need on Nakasendo Way?

To hike the entire course, 18-20 days or even more are needed. Generally, if you plan to walk the Nakasendo Way between Tokyo and Kyoto in 18 days, that means you have to travel 45,000 steps or so every day.

For Kisoji section with 11 post towns totally, between Niekawa and Magome, you need 4-5 days to get out of the valley. If you are experienced and vigorous all the time, it’s enough to come to the end with just 3 days.

As for the shorter section between Tsumago and Magome, it takes 3 hours or half a day at most to accomplish the one-way trip.

Guidepost on Nakasendo Trail

See more Tips on Hiking Nakasendo Way – All Things to Know for Hikers

Transportation

Ryokan at the Post Town

Limited Express Shinano Train shuttle between Nagoya and Nagano is the best choice to reach a post town in Kiso Valley. The train passes Nakatsugawa, Nagiso, Kiso-Fukushima, and Shiojiri, which are all on Kisoji trail of Nakasendo Way, and you can start hiking once getting off the train.

Other JR trains may also get to one or more post towns, but it would be relatively slower, especially the local trains.

Nakatsugawa is a crucial train station as well as post town, as Magome, a common starting point of hiking, can be reached by bus from Nakatsugawa.