The Nakasendo trail is an old road that was constructed around 400 years ago by the shogunate as one of the major routes between Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto. It was a busy road back in the days because the feudal lords were required to show their loyalty to the shogun by traveling to Edo every other year. This travel guide will help you figure out where to go to enjoy the trail!
Nowadays, tourists from Japan and abroad are walking parts of the old postal route to enjoy the quaint atmosphere, beautiful old wooden buildings, and food along the way. If you like nature and traditional culture, walking a part of the Nakasendo trail and visiting a few of the old towns should be on the top of your to-do list for Japan.
Check out our package tour in the region if you are interested in discovering parts of the Nakasendo trail!
Kiso-Fukushima was a post town on the Nakasendo trail during feudal times. You can find many attractive preserved historical sites including the old town, magistrate office, checkpoint, and a beautiful Zen garden here.
Magome was a post town on the Nakasendo Route, which is one of the five routes that connected Edo with rural towns in the 16th-19th century. Pretty postcard-ready views are par for the course here.
If you are planning to walk a part of the Nakasendo trail to see the pretty old post towns and natural beauty in between, this travel guide will be of use for you.
Tsumago is one of the most popular old post towns to visit on the Nakasendo Trail because it is so well-preserved. Learn more about its history and what you can see there today.