Nagano Hiking Tour

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer privately from Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport to your hotel in the Ginza district. This elegant area is known for its wide avenues, department stores and long-standing restaurants, making it an excellent base for your first night in Japan.

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Today explore the contrasts of Tokyo with a private guide using the city’s excellent public transport. Begin in the historic district of Asakusa, home to the famous Sensoji Temple. This is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple and one of its most atmospheric areas, where incense drifts through the air and traditional shops line the approach road of Nakamise Street. Continue to the grounds of the Imperial Palace, surrounded by moats and gardens on the site of the former Edo Castle. Later visit lively Shibuya, famous for its scramble crossing and energetic street life. The day gives a broad introduction to Tokyo’s layers of history, from old temple districts to modern neighbourhoods. (B)

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Leave the capital behind and travel by train into the mountains of central Japan. In the Kiso Valley, begin a scenic walk along part of the historic Nakasendo between the preserved post towns of Magome and Tsumago. This route once linked Kyoto and Edo during the Edo period, and many buildings here remain beautifully preserved. Walk through stone-paved lanes, cedar forests and small farming hamlets, following the same path once used by merchants and samurai. The trail offers a strong sense of rural Japan and the connection between mountain communities and historic trade routes.

After reaching Tsumago, continue to your accommodation in Hirugami Onsen, a peaceful hot spring town where you will stay for the next few nights. (B,D)

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Today’s walk follows part of the ancient Tosando route, another historic mountain road once used for travel and communication across the region. A ropeway and chairlift carry you into the mountains above the village of Sonohara, where the hike begins. From here, the trail climbs through quiet forest to Fujimidaira, a viewpoint known for its wide panoramas across the surrounding mountains. The descent follows a historic forest path lined with towering trees and natural scenery that feels far removed from Japan’s busy cities. Near the end of the walk, you reach Misaka Shrine, home to a cedar tree believed to be more than two thousand years old. The day offers a rewarding but manageable hike through landscapes shaped by centuries of travel. (B,D)

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After two days of walking, this day offers a change of pace. Travel to the Tenryu River for a traditional riverboat ride through the scenic Tenryukyo Gorge. Skilled boatmen guide the vessel downstream using long wooden oars, sharing stories about the river and the traditions of boat building that have existed here for generations.

In the afternoon, visit a local craft workshop where you can try making washi paper and mizuhiki decorative cords. These traditional crafts have deep cultural roots and remain widely used in Japanese ceremonies and gift-giving. Meeting the artisans who continue these practices offers a personal insight into the region’s craft heritage and daily life in rural Nagano. (B,L,D)

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Travel north to the city of Nagano, best known as the home of Zenkoji Temple. Founded in the 7th century, Zenkoji is one of Japan’s most important Buddhist temples and has long attracted pilgrims from across the country. Walk along Nakamise Street, the lively approach to the temple, lined with small shops selling sweets and local snacks. During your visit, you will also discover Nagano’s rich food traditions. Stop at a local café linked to the makers of the region’s famous shichimi spice blend, where you can sample miso and learn about the different flavours that define Nagano’s cuisine. The tour also includes a visit to a sake brewery, reflecting the region’s reputation as one of Japan’s finest sake-producing areas. (B,L)

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Today, travel into the mountains near Hakuba, part of the dramatic Japanese Alps. Your destination is Tsugaike Nature Park, a high-altitude wetland known for its alpine scenery and seasonal flowers. Wooden boardwalks lead across the marshlands, allowing visitors to explore this fragile environment while enjoying views of the surrounding peaks. The walk here is gentle, making it easy to focus on the landscape and the unique plant life that thrives in this high mountain environment. On clear days, the views of Hakuba’s snow-capped summits are particularly striking. It is a refreshing day in nature and a fitting finale to your time in the mountains. (B)

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Return by train to Tokyo for your final night in Japan. The afternoon and evening are free to enjoy the city however you wish. (B)

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After breakfast, transfer to Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport for your onward flight. (B)