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中山道十九日間の旅京都から東京

GPX Track Pack · Hotels Guide · 19 days · 540+ km

Walk the Nakasendo, self-guided.

中山道 · 京都から東京

A field guide by Tomie's Cuisine. 540km, Kyoto to Tokyo, walked in early spring — at your own pace.

540+ kilometres

19 days

69 post towns

7 prefectures

Everything you need to plan your own Nakasendo journey

The Nakasendo is Japan's historic mountain highway — an historical alternative to the shinkansen that takes you through 69 ancient post towns, mountain passes, and rural villages that most tourists never see.

You do not need to walk all 540km to experience the Nakasendo. The Kiso Valley section — passing through Magome, Tsumago, and the mountain villages of Nagano — is one of the most scenic and historically intact stretches of trail in Japan, and accessible as a multi-day trip from Tokyo or Nagoya. Our accommodation guide and GPX files cover this section in full.

The complete 19-day route

Kyoto → Kusatsu 京都·草津
Kyoto → Shiga
~24 km
Kusatsu → Echigawa 愛知川 ~32 km
Echigawa → Kashiwabara 柏原 ~34 km
Kashiwabara → Akasaka 赤坂
Shiga → Gifu
~21 km
Akasaka → Kano加納 ~22 km
Kano → Magome 馬籠 Days 6-10
Magome → Suhara 須原
Gifu → Nagano
29.1 km
Through Nagano 長野 Days 11–16
Karuizawa → Honjo 本庄
Nagano → Gunma → Saitama
Days 17–19
Fukaya → Nihonbashi 日本橋
Tokyo · by bicycle
~84 km

Common questions

What exactly is a GPX track?

Think of it like Google Maps, but for hiking. Instead of directions to a restaurant, it shows you the exact path we walked. Every turn, every post town, every shortcut. Open it in any free hiking app like Garmin, AllTrails, or Komoot, or your GPS watch, and a line appears on your map. You can also load it in Google Maps in the "My Maps" section, and it will appear in the Google Maps app. Your phone shows you where you are on that path in real time, so you always know if you're on track. No signal needed!

What do I need to use these files?

Your smartphone will do! Download a free app like AllTrails or Komoot open the file we send you, and the route appears. If you have a Garmin watch or similar GPS device, it works there too. Alternatively, you can use a standalone GPS device if you have one and load it there as well; there is no limit on how many devices you can load it on.

Can I edit the GPX files?

Yes, you can edit these on your app of choice. If you decide to walk less, visit a different museum, etc., you can add these points to your map.

How many accommodations are covered in the guide?

In total, there are 19 different accommodations, as on day 5 and 6 , we stayed at the same hotel. However, we provided plenty of alternative hotels, should one not be available to book, or you decided to change the route.

Does the guide cover the full route from Kyoto to Tokyo?

Yes, it covers the entire journey from Kyoto to Tokyo, so even if you're not exactly following the Nakasendo, it'll provide some great options to discover the Japanese countryside.

Is this a sponsored guide or are the reviews genuinely independent?

No, this guide is solely based on our own research. We may potentially earn a commission via Opodo if there's a eligible booking, but that's it.

Are there any cash-only accommodations?

Yes, some are cash only, but we've clearly labelled them and given you the price in advance, so you can prepare for it.

About the journey

A 540 km road through a thousand years of Japanese history

The Nakasendo (中山道) was one of Japan's five great highways of the Edo period, threading through mountains and valleys between Tokyo and Kyoto. Unlike the coastal Tokaido, it stayed inland — quieter, more rugged, more beautiful.

We walked it in March and April 2025, starting at dawn from Kyoto's Sanjo Ohashi bridge and finishing 19 days later in Tokyo. Along the way we crossed seven prefectures, stood on the Battle of Sekigahara battlefield, sheltered from mountain rain in 400-year-old post towns, and ate more ichigo daifuku than we care to admit.

This site is where we document all of it — practically, honestly, and with enough detail that you can do it yourself. Browse all published days on Tomie's Cuisine.

Get notified when 9–19 publish

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Day 1 · Kyoto → Kusatsu

Sanjo Ohashi to Kusatsu next to Lake Biwa

~24 km · Sunny, 18°C lows of 7°C · For the next 19 days, we're trading the everyday for an epic journey on Japan's old highway. The road awaits, and we are ready to walk, eat, and breathe in every moment

Day 2 · Kusatsu → Echigawa

Walking through Shiga's post towns

A 33km trek through historic post towns, where you'll discover unexpected delights like a Ukiyo-e workshop, experience heartwarming moments, and take in stunning views.

View of Mount Ibuki from a street in Echigawa

Day 3 · Echigawa → Kashiwabara

Hiking through the post towns of Takamiya, Toriimoto, Banba, and Samegai.

Despite the rain, we saw the birthplace of Goushu Ondo, the inn where the Meiji Emperor stayed, the setting of the anime K-On!, and enjoyed a home-cooked lunch.

Historical matsunamiki pine trees in Sekigahara, Gifu

Day 4 · Kashiwabara → Akasaka

Crossing into Gifu at Sekigahara

Explore the "Village of Bedtime Stories," the historic Battle of Sekigahara, and the "Carriage-Turning Slope." From rainy-day sushi to local sweets, join us as we walk 21km through legendary post towns and ancient Japanese.

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✓ Day-by-day blog posts
✓ GPX tracks as we publish the articles
✓ Season and weather guide as we publish the articles

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