NAKASENDO

Translating to “the road through the mountains,” the Nakasendo was one of Japan’s five major routes during the Edo period (1603–1867). Stretching roughly 530 kilometres between Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo), it meanders through the mountain heartlands of Honshu. Along this storied highway once stood 69 post towns — charming waypoints where weary travellers found rest, a warm meal, and glimpses of daily life in old Japan.

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Breath in the rhythm of travel slows and listen to the whispers of Japan’s feudal past drift through the mountain air.

Step back in Time

The cobblestone paths of the historic Nakasendo Route and the quaint post towns of the Kiso Valley transport you back to Japan’s Edo period — an era of merchants, travellers, and samurai making their way through the mountains. Once a vital artery linking Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo), the Nakasendo winds through forested slopes, rustic inns, and charming villages that have preserved their old-world character.

Trek through Nature

Part of the trail winds through the mountains of Gifu and Nagano Prefectures in central Japan, known as the Kisoji, or Kiso Road. This storied stretch of the Nakasendo is famed for its emerald forests, crystal-clear streams, and tranquil hamlets that seem untouched by time — rural Japan preserved in its purest form.

Rest in Traditional Inns

To truly step into the spirit of the past, stay at one of the local minshuku (family-run guesthouses) or traditional ryokan that line the town. As night falls and the mountain air turns still, a quiet stroll along the lantern-lit streets becomes a moment of pure magic — where time seems to pause and the old world whispers around you.

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Nakasendo

Step back in time along Japan’s historic Nakasendo Trail, the ancient route linking Kyoto and Tokyo. Wander through charming post towns, forested paths, and mountain valleys where travellers once rested, discovering timeless beauty, Edo-period heritage, and the serene rhythm of Japan’s countryside.