Mountain soba
Buckwheat grown in the Nagano highlands, served cold with soy broth.
Japan · Japanese Alps and Kiso Valley
Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo
Japan on foot, from the Alps to the samurai road
Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Region
Japan · Japanese Alps and Kiso Valley
Trip investment
Paying in one instalment$4,729.00 US dollarsYou save $411.00 US dollars (8%).per person
Making deferred payments: total $5,140.00 US dollars · deposit $1,000.00 US dollars + up to 10 deferred payments of approximately $414.00 US dollars each
Book today and pay in up to 10 deferred payments. The sooner you book, the lighter your payments.
September 1–11, 2027 · 5 left
Plan with context
Trip essentials
- Start & finish
- Starts in Tokyo · Ends in Tokyo
- Local currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Cards & cash
- Good city acceptance; carry cash for temples, small shops and some rural ryokans. Exact amount not verified. You can bring US dollars in cash to exchange for local currency at banks or authorized exchange offices on arrival, before visiting remote areas. Bring notes in good condition and check exchange opening hours and requirements.
- Physical demand
- High — multi-day trekking
- Coffee reference
- JPY 545–600 · approx. $3.3–3.6 US dollars
Practical references checked on Sep 16, 2026. Prices and exchange rates may change.
Information verified in October 2026
Visas and entry requirements
For this trip, prior formalities are needed for: Nicaragua, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia.
Check: Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil.
Reference information; requirements may change. Confirm on the official site before you travel.
01 — THE TRIP
A walking journey through lesser-known Japan: from the alpine trails of Kamikochi and the summit of Mount Norikura to the stone-paved stretches of the historic Nakasendo Route between centuries-old post towns. High mountains, traditional Gassho-zukuri villages and a finale in Kyoto among temples and shrines. For travellers who want to know Japan by walking it, not just visiting it.
01Kamikochi and the Azusa River
02Mount Norikura (3,026 m)
03Nakasendo Route
04Shirakawa-go
02 — WHAT'S COVERED
Included
- 10 nights of accommodation with breakfast
- Place-to-place ground transfers (Day 2, Tokyo–Matsumoto van)
- Place-to-place train transfers (Shinkansen and regional trains for the rest of the itinerary)
- Wandernow guide
- Local mountain guide (Days 2 to 7)
- Kamikochi trek (Day 2)
- Mount Norikura ascent (Day 3)
- Shirakawa-go walk (Day 4)
- Narai-juku tour (Day 5)
- Nakasendo Trek: Torii Toge Pass (Day 6)
- Nakasendo Trek: Magome to Tsumago (Day 7)
- Higashiyama and Fushimi Inari walk, Kyoto (Day 9)
- Luggage forwarding (Takkyubin) between stops
Luggage: Due to vehicle capacity, each traveler may bring only one suitcase of up to 15 kg and one backpack. Any additional luggage is the traveler's responsibility and must be handled on their own, for example by leaving it at the base hotel, subject to the hotel's availability.
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not listed (suggested budget: $70.00 US dollars/day)
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Local city transport and optional extra activities
Groups of maximum 16 travelers, ages 6 to 100. Every trip has different physical requirements, so if a minor joins, they should be an independent kid who enjoys being outdoors — not one glued to an iPad all day. Solo travelers are welcome: we pair men with men and women with women in double or triple occupancy.
International flights are not included unless expressly stated on the trip page.
International community
You travel with people from all over the world
On any given departure you may share the route with travelers from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Spain and other countries. We don't sell tours: we offer guided adventure trips, run in Spanish, in small groups of maximum 16 people.
- International groups: depending on the date, travelers from different Spanish-speaking countries may join
- A Spanish-speaking Wandernow guide throughout, plus local guides (in English, sometimes Spanish) who add the local perspective
- We don't sell tours: we offer guided adventure trips, in Spanish, in small groups of maximum 16 people.
Why travel with us?
No more than 16 travelers—never a tour bus.
A Wandernow guide with you throughout the journey.
International groups—you meet people from other countries along the way.
We don't sell tours ruled by a fixed schedule: the best part of a journey is often what wasn't planned. If you know how to let go and flow, this trip is for you.
03 — ROUTE
Route
Itinerary day by day
- Day 1
Tokyo · Arrival and group welcome, with a briefing before heading to the…
We arrive in Tokyo and gather for the welcome briefing. We prepare together for the next stage in the mountains.
- Day 2
Tokyo · Matsumoto · Kamikochi · Hirayu Onsen · Transfer to Kamikochi and start of the trek along the Azusa River…
We travel to Kamikochi and begin trekking beside the Azusa River. We walk to the alpine village of Hirayu Onsen.
- Day 3
Hirayu Onsen · Mount Norikura · Takayama · Ascent of Mount Norikura (3,026 m) and descent along the alpine…
We climb Mount Norikura at 3,026 metres and descend along the alpine ridge. Afterwards we travel to Takayama.
- Day 4
Takayama · Shirakawa-go · Kanazawa · Walk through the valley of traditional Gassho-zukuri houses…
We walk through Shirakawa-go's valley of traditional Gassho-zukuri houses. We continue to Kanazawa to close this stage.
- Day 5
Kanazawa · Narai-juku · Transfer to the Nakasendo Route and a walk through the preserved…
We travel to the Nakasendo route and explore Narai-juku. We get to know this preserved historic village together.
- Day 6
Narai-juku · Torii Pass · Kiso-Fukushima · Crossing the Torii Pass on foot through cypress forest…
We cross Torii Toge Pass on foot through cypress forests. We follow the original Nakasendo trail towards Kiso-Fukushima.
- Day 7
Kiso-Fukushima · Magome · Tsumago · Final stretch of the Nakasendo Route…
We walk from Magome to Tsumago among post towns. We share the final stage of the Nakasendo route.
- Day 8
Kiso Valley · Kyoto · Bullet train to Kyoto
We travel by bullet train from the Kiso Valley to Kyoto. We exchange the trails for this new stop on our journey.
- Day 9
Kyoto · Walking day along the paths and stairways of Higashiyama and…
We walk the paths and steps of Higashiyama and Fushimi Inari. We share the day on foot in Kyoto.
- Day 10
Kyoto · Tokyo · Bullet train back to Tokyo
We return to Tokyo by bullet train. We share this final travel stage before saying goodbye.
- Day 11
Tokyo · Check-out and end of the trip
We check out in Tokyo and say goodbye. We close our shared journey through the Alps, Nakasendo and the cities.
The itinerary describes the route and the places you will visit. A place, museum, or activity being mentioned here does not mean its admission or cost is included — only what appears under ‘Included’ is covered. Review that section to see exactly what your trip includes.
*Wandernow reserves the right to modify the itinerary without prior notice to ensure the safety of the group and the smooth operation of the trip.
GUSTO
Flavours of Japan on Foot
Hoba miso
Miso grilled on a dried magnolia leaf, a mountain inn (minshuku) recipe.
Kiso sake
Made with Japanese Alps snowmelt, more mineral than city sake.
The old Nakasendo route linked Edo and Kyoto on foot, and inns along the way still cook for tired walkers, not tourists. Food here is rural, honest and seasonal: what grows in the mountains that week is what is served that night.
Territory
Map of the route
Meeting point: Tokio · Japón · Alpes japoneses y valle de Kiso
Wandernow Studio
Day 1 · 1 Sep · Tokio
Tokyo
Arrival and group welcome, with a briefing before heading to the mountains. Stay: hotel in Tokyo or similar.
Lodge · Tokio
Tap a pin to see the day
04 — BOOKING
Transparent pricing
One payment
$4,729.00 US dollars
You save $411.00 US dollars (8%).
per person
Pay in full and your place is released immediately, with access to the app.wandernow.com QR code.
Instalments
$5,140.00 US dollarstotal
deposit $1,000.00 US dollars + up to 10 deferred payments
Hold your place with a deposit and pay from your portal. When the last instalment clears, your app QR code appears automatically.
We accept credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Apple Pay and Google Pay, all through WeTravel.
Prices are per person in double occupancy. Both plans are processed securely through WeTravel and remain visible in your account statement.
Solo travelers share a room with someone of the same sex: men with men and women with women. Couples stay together.
SOCIAL PROOF
5.0 across verified reviews
Travelers who already went
“They were all super fun and very interactive.”
“The summer was really great.”
Upcoming departures
September 1 – September 11, 2027
First seat releaseSeats available3/8 booked(8 seats released of 16)
Registration openRegistration closes: 246 days until closing
We release the group in waves: once this one fills, we open the next if the local team allows it.
from$4,729.00 US dollars
Verified live availability · No fine print
Fact sheet
- Destination
- Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo · Japan · Japanese Alps and Kiso Valley
- Trip type
- Treks in a small group
- Duration
- 11 days / 10 nights
- Group size
- Maximum 16 travelers (ages 6 to 100)
- Single-payment price
- $4,729.00 US dollars per person
- Deferred-plan price
- $5,140.00 US dollars per person · deposit $1,000.00 US dollars + 10 max
- Published currency
- Dollars
- Payment methods
- Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Apple Pay and Google Pay, via WeTravel
- International flights
- Not included in the price
- Guide
- Spanish-speaking Wandernow guide throughout the trip
- Solo travelers
- Welcome; shared accommodation by gender (man with man, woman with woman) at no extra cost
- Occupancy
- Couples in double occupancy; solo travelers share a room with someone of the same gender
- Departure dates
- September 1–11, 2027
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo trip with Wandernow cost?
$4,729.00 US dollars per person paying in a single payment. On the deferred plan the total is $5,140.00 US dollars per person: a $1,000.00 US dollars deposit to hold your spot and up to 10 deferred payments (the last one 60 days before departure). Prices are per person in double occupancy. Solo travelers share a room with someone of the same sex; couples stay together.
How many days is the Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo trip?
11 days / 10 nights. A walking journey through lesser-known Japan: from the alpine trails of Kamikochi and the summit of Mount Norikura to the stone-paved stretches of the historic Nakasendo Route between centuries-old post towns. High mountains, traditional Gassho-zukuri villages and a finale in Kyoto among temples and shrines. For travellers who want to know Japan by walking it, not just visiting it.
What departure dates are there for Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo?
Confirmed departures: September 1–11, 2027. Each departure runs with a maximum of 16 travelers.
What is and isn't included in the Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo trip?
Includes: 10 nights of accommodation with breakfast; Place-to-place ground transfers (Day 2, Tokyo–Matsumoto van); Place-to-place train transfers (Shinkansen and regional trains for the rest of the itinerary); Wandernow guide; Local mountain guide (Days 2 to 7); Kamikochi trek (Day 2); Mount Norikura ascent (Day 3); Shirakawa-go walk (Day 4); Narai-juku tour (Day 5); Nakasendo Trek: Torii Toge Pass (Day 6); Nakasendo Trek: Magome to Tsumago (Day 7); Higashiyama and Fushimi Inari walk, Kyoto (Day 9); Luggage forwarding (Takkyubin) between stops. Not included: International flights; Meals not listed (suggested budget: $70.00 US dollars/day); Tips; Travel insurance; Local city transport and optional extra activities. International flights are not included unless the trip page expressly says otherwise.
Can I travel solo to Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo?
Yes. Solo travelers are welcome and are given shared accommodation by gender (man with man, woman with woman) at no extra single-room cost. Couples stay together in double occupancy. Groups have a maximum of 16 people (ages 6 to 100), and travelers from different Spanish-speaking countries may join the same departure.
How can I pay for my Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo trip?
Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Apple Pay and Google Pay, via WeTravel. You can pay in full or reserve with a $1,000.00 US dollars deposit and settle the rest in up to 10 deferred payments (the last one 60 days before departure).
What fitness level is needed for Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo?
It is an active adventure trip: some days involve several hours of walking and there are long transfers. No technical experience is required, but you need basic fitness and the health to walk on uneven ground. Each trip page states the required level so you can judge whether the trip is for you.
How far in advance should I book Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo?
The next departure starts on September 1, 2027 and has 13 spots available at the time this page was published. Departures fill up in order of deposit.
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Travel insurance
Travel covered
Travel insurance is not included and is mandatory for several of our destinations. If you don't have one yet, our recommendation is IATI Mochilero: the best value for adventure travel, covering medical assistance, rescue and outdoor activities.
IATI Mochilero
Get IATI MochileroYou purchase it directly with IATI Seguros. Wandernow is not the insurer and charges travelers no commission.
Voices of the trip
Testimonials from Japan on Foot: Alps & Nakasendo
Stories filmed by Wandernow travelers during the trip.
Video coming soon
Video coming soon
05 — KEEP EXPLORING
Paying in one instalment$4,729.00 US dollars
$5,140.00 US dollarsMaking deferred payments
deposit$1,000.00 US dollars+ up to 10 deferred payments of$414.00 US dollars