We Hiked the Nakasendo Trail — Japan’s Samurai Route Through the Mountains (Japan Ep. 4)

We Hiked the Nakasendo Trail — Japan’s Samurai Route Through the Mountains (Japan Ep. 4)

Nakasendo Trail from Magome to Narai — Unforgettable 2-day hike

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📄 Full Description:
We hiked Japan’s Nakasendo Samurai Trail from Magome to Narai — a 2-day journey through historic post towns, forest passes, and a hidden onsen.

This is the Nakasendo Trail — one of Japan’s ancient Edo-period highways, once traveled by samurai, merchants, and messengers between Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo). Unlike the busy tourist circuits, this is a self-guided hike through timeless villages, misty forests, and mountain paths, blending nature, culture, and peace.

In this episode, we hiked a stunning section of the Nakasendo Way, traveling smart with luggage delivery, trail trains, and local food stops. Whether you’re looking for a Nakasendo itinerary, a solo hike, or a unique Japan travel guide — this one’s for you.

📍 Trail Overview & Google Maps Links:

🏘️ Magome-juku (Start): https://maps.app.goo.gl/tsjxHfwwhgiiLRYWA
🌲 Tsumago-juku: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MrrB326oRoB7tFyR6
♨️ Kiso-Fukushima Onsen (Morino Hotel): https://maps.app.goo.gl/SqunSbCBFGNtdNNn8
🏯 Narai-juku (Finish): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vs2mvVL3zNW7B7397

⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters):
0:00 – Why You Need to Hike the Nakasendo Trail
0:51 – Day 1: Magome to Tsumago Hike
1:24 – The Forest Trail + Bear Bells
2:30 – Free Tea House on the Nakasendo
3:16 – Tsumago-juku post town
3:47 – Kiso-Fukushima + Onsen Night
4:39 – Day 2: Hiking Torii Pass from Yabuhara
8:00 – Arrival in Narai-juku
8:20 – Local Food & Bee Larvae Lunch
9:24 – Our Tips + Final Thoughts

🎒 Our Nakasendo Itinerary (Self-Guided Hike):

Day 1:
Magome ➝ Tsumago (~8km / 2.5 hrs)
➡️ Train to Kiso-Fukushima
➡️ Stay at a forest onsen ryokan

Day 2:
Yabuhara ➝ Torii Pass ➝ Narai (~6.2km / 2 hrs)
➡️ Train to Matsumoto

🔑 What You’ll See:

• Traditional Nakasendo post towns
• Volunteer-run Edo-period teahouse
• Remote Torii Pass hike
• Night in a peaceful onsen hotel
• Unique local food — even bee larvae
• Forest trails with bear bells and spiritual shrines
• A story-filled Nakasendo travel guide you can follow or modify

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