Hike a historical road through beautiful rural hamlets, meet the locals and try their cuisine
Recommended for travelers wanting to see the Japanese countryside. Walk through on a historical trail through beautiful hamlets. Check out the mountain views and ancient relics. And finally, meet the warmhearted locals and try cooking their local cuisine, “gohie-mochi.”
This tour takes place in Achi Village at the southern end of the Ina Valley. Achi is famous for its night sky and is ranked no.1 for star-gazing in all of Japan. It also has several luxurious onsen ryokan accommodations in the hot-spring resort of Hirugami Onsen. The village is bordered on the north and west by Nagiso Town and Nakatsugawa City, which are home to Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku respectively. The start point of this tour at Hirugami Onsen is just 40 minutes from Tsumago-juku and 50 minutes from Magome-juku by car, and the area has a strong historical connection to the Nakasendo.
Starting from Hirugami Onsen, you will start the walk on the Tosando, one of the oldest known roads in Japan, developed in the early 8th century. The hike then moves onto a different historical path, the Chuma-kaido. The Chuma-kaido was mostly used by peasants whose job was to transfer everyday goods such as salt and charcoal across Japan using horses. The road ran parallel to the Nakasendo but had more relaxed rules and so it became a popular route during the Edo Period (1603-1868).
In Komaba-juku, one of the largest “ekiya” (horse station towns) on the Chuma-kaido, guests can enjoy making a traditional local food called “gohei-mochi”. Gohei-mochi is a kind of grilled rice dumpling made of lightly pounded rice and grilled with a walnut paste. You will be joined by members of the Achi Village Museum Association who work tirelessly to protect the natural and historical beauty of Achi for future generations. For lunch, you will eat your own handmade “gohei-mochi” along with a few other dishes prepared by a local restaurant. The day ends with a walking tour of Komamba-juku from a friendly local guide.
Nature/Culture/Activity
・A great excursion from Tsumago-juku or Magome-juku on the Nakasendo. Please consult with us about staying at Hirugami Onsen (not included in the tour price), the largest onsen resort in Southern Nagano and known for its beautiful peach blossoms in April.
・Enjoy two ancient roads from completely different historical periods – The Tosando from the 8th century and the Chuma-kaido from the Edo period. Learn about the area’s long history and its role as a hub for the flow of people and commodities.
・ Enjoy Achi Village’s abundant nature, mountain views, and ancient hamlets whose beauty changes by the seasons.
・Have fun with members of the Achi Village Museum Association.
・Lunch is “gohei-mochi”, which you will make yourself, along with catering provided by a local restaurant. Enjoy local food with seasonal local ingredients from the surrounding Minami-Shinshu area, known for its delicious agricultural produce.
15,500JPY~ / person for 4-5ppl
13,500JPY~ /person for 6-8ppl
08:40/15:00
08:40-09:00 Meeting at Hirugami Onsen Morning Market Parking Lot, briefing with your guide.
09:00-12:00 (Fureai Road) → Observation Platform → Nakadaira → (Chuma-kaido) → Komanba-juku
12:00-13:30 Making “gohei-mochi,” and eating lunch at Tsuboya
13:30-14:45 Komanba-juku walking tour
14:45-15:00 Move to Hirugami Onsen by car
15:00 Finish at Hirugami Onsen Morning Market Parking Lot
Hirugami Onsen Morning Market Parking Lot(30 min. from JR Iida Station, 40 min. from Tsumago-juku, 50 min. from Magome-juku (all by car))
Early-April ~ Late November
12 yrs and above
30 days prior
Minimum 4 Maximum 8
Clothing and shoes suitable for hiking and matching the weather conditions. Items may include rain gear (coat/pants), backpack, drinks (1 liter), trail snacks, gloves, hat, sunglasses, down layers, hiking poles, etc.
2
[Distance] Around 7km
[Elevation difference] Approx. 157m
A gentle and comfortable walk.
2
The route is mostly paved with a steady walking surface.
English speaking guide fee, lunch (local food with seasonal local ingredients), cooking fee, transportation fee during the tour.
Transportation to/from the meeting point, insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country), and anything else not specified in “what is included” above.
(Bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the participants)
N/A
[Fees in case of cancellation on behalf of the customer ]
– Cancellation on or after the 10th day from the day immediately preceding the starting day of the tour: 20% of the tour price.
-Cancellation on or after the 7th day from the day immediately preceding the starting day of the tour: 30% of the tour price.
– Cancellation the day immediately before the starting day of the tour: 40% of the tour price.
– In cases where the contract is cancelled on the starting day of the Tour: 50% of the tour price.
-Cancellation after the start of the tour or the traveler does not participate in the tour without notice (no show): 100% of the tour price.
[Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer]
– In the case of the tour being cancelled by the organizer, no cancellation fees will apply
– In case of cancellation due to bad weather, we will contact you the day before the tour.
– The itinerary may be changed or the tour may be cancelled after the program has started. In this case, we will pay an indemnity in accordance with the Standard General Conditions of Travel Agency Business, except in the case of a force major (natural disaster).