What's included
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.
Instant Access to 19 GPX Track Files
Included in the £10 bundleOne file for each day, covering the entire 540+ km journey from Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto to Nihonbashi in Tokyo. You can upload these files to any hiking app on your phone (like AllTrails or Komoot) or GPS device (such as Garmin or Apple Watch) to accurately track the route we followed.
Get all 19 tracks — £10
Day-by-Day Blog Series
Free for all subscribersDetailed write-ups for all 19 days, including post towns, history, what we ate, where we stayed, the weather guide, and the small moments that made the trail memorable. Published as we write them.
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Complete Accommodation Guide
Included in the £10 bundleHonest reviews of every place we stayed across 20 nights, from Kyoto to Tokyo — with the price we paid, whether we'd go back, booking links, and alternatives for each stop.
Read the full guide — £10Common 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.
Which accommodations are cash only?
Yes, some are cash only, but we've clearly labelled them and given you the price in advance, so you can prepare for it.
