A Private Journey with Ryo Yoshimura
The Journey
This private journey brings together the Nakasendo's preserved post towns, forested passes, clear mountain valleys, and historic streets over three thoughtfully paced days.
Because Ryo accompanies you throughout the journey, the history, culture, customs, and everyday life of the old road unfold as one connected story rather than a series of separate sightseeing stops.
Ryo is a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter who was born and raised in this region. Each journey is adapted to the guests' interests, walking ability, the season, and the weather.
Two Options
Option 1 — Day 1 and Day 3: Walking the Nakasendo | Day 2: Exploring by Private Car
Two rewarding trail days are balanced by a gentler private-car day through the beautiful valleys and historic heart of Kiso.
Option 2: Three Days by Private Car with Minimal Walking
A relaxed journey with minimal walking, created for guests who wish to see a wider range of landscapes, post towns, and cultural places in comfort.
Option 1 — Day 1 and Day 3: Walking the Nakasendo | Day 2: Exploring by Private Car
Days 1 and 3 are genuine hiking days. Day 2 is a more leisurely private-car journey, allowing time to enjoy the water, forest, and historic streets of Kiso.
Meet Ryo at JR Nakatsugawa Station and continue to Magome. After exploring its sloping streets, walk the classic trail to Tsumago through hamlets, forest paths, waterfalls, and the old Ichikokutochi teahouse. A taxi or hotel shuttle is planned for the transfers between Nakatsugawa, Magome, Tsumago, and your accommodation.
Meet Ryo at your hotel and travel throughout the day in his private car. Discover Atera Valley's translucent water and the deeper forest scenery of Kakizore Valley, with the amount of walking adjusted to the season and your comfort. Continue to Kiso-Fukushima for lunch and a walk through its historic streets. Stay in Kiso-Fukushima or around Narai.
Leave Narai on foot and cross the forested Torii Pass to Yabuhara. This quieter section preserves a strong sense of the old highway and offers a pleasing contrast to the Magome–Tsumago trail. After the walk, a taxi is planned from Yabuhara to JR Kiso-Fukushima Station, where the journey concludes. The route may be walked in reverse when hotel location or train times make that more suitable.
Option 2: Three Days by Private Car with Minimal Walking
Long walks are not required. Short, gentle walks can be adjusted to each guest, while the private car makes it possible to experience a wider and more varied side of the Nakasendo.
Meet Ryo at JR Nakatsugawa Station and travel by private car to the dramatic ruins of Naegi Castle overlooking the Kiso River. Continue to the old stone pavement at Ochiai-juku, then explore Nakatsugawa and enjoy an introduction to local sake. Stay in or around Nakatsugawa.
Meet Ryo at your hotel and explore Magome and Tsumago by private car. Rather than rushing between famous viewpoints, Ryo selects places that reveal the architecture, history, and local life of the two post towns. Short sections of the old road, Odaki and Medaki waterfalls, or the Ichikokutochi teahouse may be included according to your walking ability and interests.
Visit carefully chosen viewpoints in Atera and Kakizore valleys without the need for a long hike. Continue to Kiso-Fukushima for lunch and a walk through its historic quarter, then travel to Narai, where old wooden buildings line nearly one kilometre of the former highway. The journey concludes at JR Narai Station or JR Shiojiri Station.
Pricing
Prices begin at the following amounts and may vary according to the final itinerary, pick-up and drop-off locations, group size, and season.
Included: three days of private guiding; use of Ryo’s private car as described in the itinerary; fuel; and parking fees.
Not included: accommodation, taxi and bus fares, meals and drinks, admission fees, and personal expenses.
Accommodation is not included in the tour price. Ryo will be pleased to assist with finding and arranging hotels or traditional inns that suit the itinerary and your preferences.
Please see the
Private Tour Terms and Conditions
for payment policies, cancellation terms, and important travel information.
FAQ
Choose Option 1 if walking the historic road is central to your experience. Choose Option 2 if you prefer shorter walks, greater comfort, and the opportunity to visit more places by private car.
Option 1 includes an approximately 8 km walk from Magome to Tsumago and an approximately 6 km walk across Torii Pass. Day 2 involves about 2–4 km of gentle walking. Option 2 is based on short walks and can be adjusted to each guest's comfort.
Their clear water, forests, and waterfalls reveal a side of Kiso that is rarely experienced on a standard post-town itinerary. Access by private car also gives the journey a welcome change of pace.
Yes. These are foundation itineraries. Ryo will tailor the journey to your interests, walking ability, accommodation, season, weather, arrival time, and onward destination.
Yes. Accommodation is not included in the tour price, but Ryo can help find and arrange hotels or traditional inns suited to the route and your preferences.
Private Inquiry
Tell Ryo which option interests you, your preferred dates, the number of guests, and your ideal walking distance. He will shape the journey around you.