Kyoto and the Nakasendo, Kansai and the Kiso Valley, Japan
Kyoto and the Kiso Valley
Eight days, two cities and thirty kilometres of old post road.
- 8 days · 7 nights
- 2–10 travellers
- Moderate
- Trekking
- Culture
Four days of temples, gardens and markets in Kyoto, then the Nakasendo on foot between Magome and Tsumago, sleeping in the villages either end of it.
Kyoto rewards early starts and punishes late ones: the same garden is a private hour at seven and a queue at ten, so we are out before breakfast on three of the four mornings and resting in the afternoon. The walking section is a genuine old road rather than a trail built for visitors — stone paving, cedar forest, bear bells on the posts — and it is comfortably within reach of anybody who walks regularly. Luggage goes ahead by courier; you carry a day pack.
Day by day
Meet at the station in the late afternoon, walk the Gion lanes at dusk and eat early. Nothing strenuous on day one — most people have crossed eight time zones.
Machiya townhouse, Nakagyo
What is included
Included
- Seven nights, four of them in machiya, minshuku and ryokan rooms
- All rail between Kyoto, the Kiso valley, Matsumoto and Tokyo
- English-speaking guide throughout
- Breakfast daily and three dinners, including one kaiseki
- Luggage forwarding on the two walking days
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and the remaining dinners
- Temple entry beyond the four we visit together
- Travel insurance
On the ground
Meeting point
Kyoto Station, Hachijo east gate (15:00), or your Kyoto hotel.