* Nakatsugawa Station is approximately 60 minutes from Nagoya Station on the JR
Chuo Honsen Line.

9:00am

Meet at Nakatsugawa Station (JR Chuo Honsen Line), hike the Nakasendo (Magome – Tsumago path), enjoy shopping for Kiso's specialty wood products at Kijishi no Sato.

After the Nakasendo hike, visit Kijishi no Sato (the hamlet of local artisans of Nagiso Wood Turning which is designated as one of Japan’s traditional handcrafts) and see the master craftsmen at work. Opportunity for shopping as well.

4:45pm

Check into Fuki no Mori. This is a hidden ryokan in the mountains of Kiso. If the weather permits, you can enjoy the star-filled starlit sky from the open-air bath. https://fukinomori.com/

• Activity

  Easy walking |20km/12.5 miles|Time: 6 hours

8:45am

Depart Fuki no Mori for Hirugami Onsen in the next valley over - the Ina Valley by private car. Your luggage will be kept at your accommodation for tonight.

9:30am

Start the Chuma Kaido hike, an ancient trade route through central Japan and mostly used by peasants whose job was to transfer everyday goods such as salt and charcoal across Japan using horses. The road ran parallel to the Nakasendo but had more relaxed rules and so it became a popular route for people to travel on.

12:30pm

Stop for lunch at an old homestead to enjoy traditional food, gohei-mochi (grilled rice dumplings), with locals along with catering provided by a local diner.

15:20pm

Check into Keigetsu, Hirugami Onsen- the largest onsen resort in Southern Nagano.
Enjoy a spacious room, a large public hot spring bath made using wood from Japanese hinoki trees, and cuisine with seasonal local ingredients. https://keigetu.co.jp/

• Activity

  Easy walking | 7km/3.1miles |Time: 3hours

8:30am

Depart from Keigetsu Ryokan to Komagane township by private car. Drop off your
luggage at the accommodation for today.

9:45am

Participate in a hands-on weaving experience under the guidance of a master weaver at the only remaining workshop that still performs the spinning, dyeing and weaving of Ina Tsumugi - a local, traditional silk fabric used for making kimono - which is one type of Shinshu Tsumugi (tsumugi made in Nagano Prefecture - designated as one of Japan's national traditional handcrafts).

12:30pm

After lunch at a local restaurant in Komagane, transfer to the Komagane Cable Car, known for the highest elevation gain in Japan. Perfect opportunity to get up above the tree line of the Ina valley and feel the alpine environment of Japan’s Central Alps (Altitude 2,612m). Enjoy a short mountain walk around the Senjajiki Curl.

17:45

Check into Futari-shizuka, Hayataro Onsen. Spend a relaxing night at a quiet hot spring ryokan located at the foot of the Central Alps. https://futarishizuka.com/

• Activity

  Handcraft Experience, Alpine hike (3kms)

8:10am

Depart from Futari-shizuka for the township of Tatsuno, Ina Valley by private car.

9:45am

Cycle on the Phantom Nakasendo - a section of the original Nakasendo which closed after only 15 years of use. Ryohei Oguchi, an accomplished round-the-world cyclist will be your Japanese guide (he will be accompanied with English speaking guide). Lunch will be served by Ryohei’s kitchen car (managed by Ryohei’s wife) at a unique spot along the way. Beautiful back roads will take you up and over a mountain pass and back to the Kiso Valley.

14:00pm

The cycling tour concludes at Narai-juku, followed by a stroll through the village. Narai-juku is another popular spot where historical buildings remain, and visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the feudal Samurai era.

15:30pm

Arrive at Narai Station, collect your luggage and the tour ends at Narai Station (JR Chuo Honsen Line.) Farewell as your depart for your next destination.

* Narai Station is approximately 50 minutes to Matsumoto Station by local and limited express trains on JR Chuo Honsen Line.

• Activity

  E-bike cycling 39km/24 miles |Time: 4hours