The Nakasendo is Japan's historic mountain highway between Kyoto and Tokyo, taking you through 69 ancient post towns, mountain passes, and rural villages most tourists never see. Our accommodation guide and GPX files cover it in full. You do not need to walk all 540km to experience it. The Kiso Valley section passing through Magome, Tsumago, and the mountain villages of Nagano is one of the most scenic and historically intact stretches, and is accessible as a multi-day trip from Tokyo or Nagoya.
Sun after days of rain, a 730-metre stone-paved mountain pass, and a jizo statue headless since a traveller took revenge on it centuries ago. Day 8 takes us from Hosokute to Ooi through Gifu's Mino mountains, quiet post towns, hidden legends, and a dash to Hiroshige's ukiyo-e museum before closing.
