Hiking Japan's Hidden Ancient Trails Group Tour

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your hotel via shared airport shuttle. Our local representative will be there to greet you at the airport and guide you to the correct service, making sure your arrival is smooth and stress-free. The rest of the day is yours to settle in, adjust to the time zone, or explore the neighbourhood around your hotel. Whether you choose to walk through a nearby park, find your first bowl of ramen, or simply rest, this is your gentle introduction to Japan’s capital before the adventure begins.

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After breakfast, a local representative will meet you at your hotel and escort you by taxi to Tokyo Station, guiding you to the bullet train platform. You’ll travel from Tokyo to Nakatsugawa via Nagoya, with a high-speed ride through Japan’s heartland.

At Nakatsugawa, your guide will meet you and drive you to Magome-juku, once a key stop for travelling samurai. You’ll walk the well-preserved 8km Nakasendo trail from Magome to Tsumago through cedar forests and quiet villages. This route, once part of the ancient road connecting Kyoto and Edo, offers a rare glimpse of Edo-period Japan. Tsumago, your destination, is known for its strict preservation rules and atmosphere unchanged by time.

After the hike, unwind at a hot spring ryokan in Hirugami Onsen, surrounded by mountains. This is a day of shifting pace - from the modern rush of Tokyo to the quiet rhythm of Japan’s historic interior. (B,L,D)

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Start the day with a traditional breakfast at your ryokan before transferring to Shimo-Seinaiji, a remote mountain village known for its handmade fireworks festival and local shrine. You’ll begin a guided walk along the rarely visited Seinaiji Kaido, an old samurai road deep in the woods. This trail is scattered with weathered Buddhist statues and stone markers, offering glimpses of the region’s spiritual past.

At Nashino Pass, take in sweeping views of the Ina Valley and Southern Alps. The path then descends into the valley along quiet backroads you’d never find alone. This hike offers a quieter, more personal insight into rural Japan - less polished, more lived-in. It’s ideal for those who prefer untouristed routes and enjoy walking through forgotten landscapes. At the end, a bus returns you to your onsen in Hirugami for a well-earned soak and rest. (B,D)

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After breakfast at your ryokan, you’ll head to the small mountain village of Sonohara and take a ropeway and chairlift up into the highlands. From there, hike over Misaka Pass to Fujimi Daira’s summit at 1,739 metres, it offers panoramic views across the Southern Alps. The descent follows a quiet section of the Tosando, one of Japan’s oldest roads, once used by warriors, pilgrims and officials. The dense forest gives way to Misaka Shrine and its 2,000-year-old cedar tree before the trail ends in Sonohara’s rice fields and alpine backdrop.

This walk blends remote mountain scenery with deep historical roots, ideal for hikers interested in both nature and Japan’s early roads. The path is lesser-known but rich in cultural resonance, appearing in centuries of poems and legends. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a good mountain climb, long views, and a walk through a story that stretches back over a thousand years. (B,D)

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Take a break from hiking today and explore the Tenryu River and the crafts of Iida. Begin with a traditional riverboat ride along one of Japan’s longest rivers, guided by local boatmen. These boats, once used to move salt, silk, and pilgrims, now offer a scenic and peaceful journey through forested riverbanks and quiet valleys.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll visit a workshop in Shimo-Hisakata to try your hand at two traditional crafts: washi (handmade paper) and mizuhiki (decorative paper cords). Learn from master artisans and hear how this small village once supplied paper hair ties for samurai and geisha. Today, it's one of Japan’s leading producers of mizuhiki, still used in celebratory gift-giving. This hands-on day offers insight into local traditions and the practical beauty of Japanese craftsmanship. Ideal for anyone interested in culture, creativity, or just seeing a different side of rural Japan. (B,L,D)

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After breakfast, take a local bus to the Komagane Ropeway, which climbs steeply into the Central Alps. As you ascend, look out for mountain streams and waterfalls cutting through the cliffs. At the top, you’ll have around three hours to explore Senjojiki Cirque at your own pace. This bowl-shaped alpine landscape sits at 2,612 metres and offers stunning panoramic views and seasonal alpine flowers. The area is especially striking in summer and early autumn. After returning by ropeway and bus, a private transfer will take you to your accommodation in Otaki Village, a quiet spot deep in the Kiso mountains. (B,L,D)

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After breakfast, begin a guided hike along the Ontake Kodo, a historic pilgrimage route tied to the Ontake Faith. Start at Satomiya Shrine, climbing over 400 stone steps to the sacred grounds, then move on to Omata Sansha, where three major deities are enshrined. The hike continues through dense forest, past hundreds of reijinhi - stone markers dedicated to followers who believed their spirits would live on here. Along the way, you’ll pass towering trees and dramatic waterfalls, including Shintaki and Kiyotaki Falls, both used in waterfall meditation rituals. The hike finishes at Junigongen Shrine and Hakkaisan Shrine, deep in the sacred forest. (B,L,D)

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After breakfast, head to Kaida to explore the Hida Kaido, once a crucial trade route between Takayama and Kiso. Begin with a short visit to the Yamashita Residence Museum, a former horse merchant's home, before hiking over the Nishino Pass. The trail offers panoramic views of Mount Ontake and Mount Norikura, weaving through forests and open farmlands. Stop for lunch at a local soba restaurant before crossing the Jizo Pass, ending at the dramatic Karasawa Falls. Along the way, you’ll walk a route once used to transport yellowtail fish for New Year’s - a prized cargo that made this road legendary. (B,L,D)

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