One deeper step away from the Nakasendo : walk the ancient wild trail dating back to the 8th century
The Nakasendo Way was established at the beginning of the 17th century. Far earlier, at the beginning of the 8th century, the old Kiso road was carved out as a branch of the Tosandoroute (a governmental road connecting the Kyoto provinces with the Tohoku region), which was paved by the Yamato Dynasty in what is now central Nara prefecture. In this unique program, you can experience these two roads that represent greatly distinct historical eras.
Departing from Agematsu station, located near the center of the Kiso Valley, you can enjoy the Agematsu-juku Post Town along the Nakasendo Way; the Nezame-no-toko Gorge (a beautiful Kiso landmark famed for the 8picturesque views of Kiso, which appeared when the Kiso Valley was carved through the granite terrain); and the Ono Falls, whose images appear in the ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) of iconic artists Hiroshige and Hokusai.
Afterward, we will pass through the tranquil forested landscapes of the Yoshino District, amidst breezes ruffling the summer grass, to traverse the ancient Kiso Road via Mt. Kazakoshi, another of the 8picturesque views of Kiso. This road, built at the beginning of the 8th century to connect what are now Gifu and Nagano prefectures, permitted skillful river crossings at a time when road construction technologies had not yet been properly developed. It is clear that the route purposely avoided the area known as “januke”, which was long feared in Kiso for its landslide dangers. In some sections, it is necessary to walk single-file—thereby permitting a glimpse of the hardships involved for those who made this journey long ago.
Enjoy feeling this history by walking both the Nakasendo and the ancient Kiso Road.
Nature/Culture/Activity
・Through this unique program, you can experience both the Nakasendo and the ancient Kiso road, built 800 years earlier.
・Enjoy locations known in the Edo era as the “8 picturesque views of Kiso”, including the ezame-no-toko gorge and the Ono Falls (waterfall), whose images appear in work of ukiyo-e artists Hiroshige and Hokusai.
・The ancient Kiso Road, which is now sparsely populated by foot travelers, is an exceedingly wild trail that has remained largely undiscovered, and allows the difficulties of past journeys to be experienced.
・Lunch will feature local seasonal foods wrapped in paper-thin sheets of wood, and tea from the Kiso Valley (served in 500ml petbottle). Chopsticks crafted from hinoki (Japanese cypress wood) will also be offered as a take-home souvenir!
18,000 JPY~
Agematsu Town Tourism Association
10:00/17:00
10:00-10:15 Meet at Agematsu Station for some light exercise in preparation for the activity
10:15-10:45 Agematsu Station → Agematsujuku (post town) → Nezame-notoko gorge
10:45-11:30 Walk around at the Nezame-notoko gorge
11:30-12:00 Nezame-no-toko gorge → Ono Falls
12:00-12:15 Rest time at Ono Falls
12:15-13:35 Ono Falls → Entrance to the ancient Kiso Road
13:35-14:00 Lunch (near the entrance to the ancient Kiso Road)
14:00-15:30 Entrance to the ancient Kiso Road → Tono district
15:30-15:50 Rest/walk around the Tono district
15:50-17:00 Tono district → Agematsu Station
17:00 Tour finishes at Kuramoto Station
[Start] Agematsu Station (JR Chuo Main Line)
[Finish] Kuramoto Station (JR Chuo Main Line)
[Start] Agematsu Station (JR Chuo Main Line)
[Finish] Kuramoto Station (JR Chuo Main Line)
(Please note that there is a train departing for Nakatsugawa at 17:18, and Matsumoto at 17:49.)
May ~ Late-October
15 yrs and above
30 days prior
Minimum 4 Maximum 8
(Please contact us re. requests for 1 to 3 persons.)
Clothing/shoes appropriate hiking, rain gear (coat/pants), backpack, drinks (around 2 liters), energy bar, cold protection, hat, gloves, sunglasses (if necessary).
4
[Distance] Around 17.5km
[Elevation difference] 250m
Stamina to walk a 7-hour course that includes steep ascents is required.
4
The 3,3km section from the ancient Kiso Road entrance to the Tono district is unpaved, with narrow footholds and slippery areas, making this course geared toward those who are accustomed to hiking mountain trails.
English guide fee, boxed lunch, tea (500ml petbottle).
Transportation to/from the meeting point, insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country), anything else not specified in “what is included” above.
(The bank transfer fees are responsibility of the participants)
Lunch box containers may be upgraded to those using magewappa, a traditional style of steam-bent Japanese wood, for an additional fee of 8,580 yen.
[Cancellation at customer’s convenience]
-7 days to 2 days prior to the reserved date: 25%
-One day prior to the reserved date: 50%
-On the day of the reserved date & No-show: 100%
[Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer]
-In case of inclement weather, we will make a decision the previous day and notify you only if the program has been cancelled.
-If the tour is cancelled on the day of the tour prior to the start of the program, no cancellation fee will be charged.
-Depending on the weather conditions once the tour begins, the route may be changed or the tour may be cancelled. No refunds will be given in this case.