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The Nakasendo Way: Route Guide

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Magome post town — The Nakasendo Way
Photo: z tanuki · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Travel from Nagoya by JR Chuo trains and local buses into the Kiso Valley, walking the historic Nakasendo between Magome and Tsumago before continuing to Narai and Matsumoto Castle. Four days combine preserved post towns with the roughly three-hour trail walk. Check trail conditions and wear suitable footwear; arrange luggage forwarding separately if you want it.

The Nakasendo Way is a 185 km one-way journey (rail). It works best as a 4-day trip; the plan below is the 4-day version for May, built from 145 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

4
days
185km
distance
5
Stops
145
curated stops

View ready-made plans 4-day plan · best time to go

The route

Nagoya→ 85 kmMagome→ 8 kmTsumago→ 50 kmNarai→ 42 kmMatsumoto

What you'll see

Tokugawa Art Museum
View precious artworks and artifacts from the influential Tokugawa family in a stately setting.
Nagoya
Tōson Memorial Museum
Memorial to author Shimazaki Tosin with stories of his life.
Magome
Japan Ukiyo-e Museum
View an extensive collection of traditional woodblock prints.
Matsumoto
Nagoya City Art Museum
Admire diverse artworks from Modigliani to local masters in a beautifully curated space.
Nagoya
Tsuchimaya Shiryokan
Family artifacts and Meiji-era items honor Toson's legacy.
Magome
Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Appreciate Yayoi Kusama's work and mountain photographs.
Matsumoto
Nagoya City Science Museum
Engage with hands-on exhibits and celestial shows in an interactive planetarium.
Nagoya
Shimizuya Museum
Artifacts from Magome's post-town days fill this small museum.
Magome

Choose your length

4-day plan14 stops · 11.1 h transit3.5 stops/day · 2.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: April, May, August, September, October, November

Comfortable walking conditions are most likely in spring and from late summer into autumn. The route still requires a live trail and weather check, especially after heavy rain.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

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View ready-made plans