Best Trails in Nagano
With seventy percent of its land mass covered by mountainous terrain, Japan is at its heart – both geographically and spiritually – a country of mountains. Inspiring awe and hinting at the sublime, the high mountain peaks have long been considered the domains of gods and spirits, and inspired a unique appreciation for the natural world and Japan itself. Boasting five of Japan’s ten highest mountains and many peaks over 3000 meters, dramatic ranges and volcanoes, and some of the country’s most iconic alpine landscapes, Nagano is blessed with countless trails and hiking courses suitable for all levels of fitness – from relaxing strolls through undulating hills to multi-day mountain ascents.
— Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
— Kamikochi Alpine Valley Trail
— The Best Tours and Charters in Nagano
From the highest peaks of Mt Kita (3193m), Mt Hotaka (3190m), and Mt Yari (3180m) spread across the mountain ranges known collectively as the ‘Japanese Alps’ or the iconic Snow Walls of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, to the historic Edo Period trade route and postal towns of the Nakasendo Trail and stunning Kiso Valley, or the spiritual significance of Togakushi, graced by its towering cedars and forest shrines, the hiking trails of Nagano open-up the natural wonder, cultural beauty, historic significance, and spiritual core of Japan’s mountainous heartland for all to explore.
WHERE IS NAGANO PREFECTURE?
Located in the exact middle of Japan, Nagano is one of the largest prefectures in Japan and one of the few which is landlocked. Composed mostly of mountains with only a few small areas of flat land, each region of Nagano has a distinct culture with various local foods, attractions, and historical sites. Stretching almost from coast to coast, and taking at least 3+ hours to drive across on the expressway, some parts of Nagano may be hard to access; but in general it has good connections to several major cities, with multiple options for direct train access from Tokyo and Nagoya, as well as Kanazawa. Also boasting some of Japan’s tallest mountains and best alpine scenery, Nagano is a great place to go to escape from the city without needing to spend too much time on transport.
THE ANCIENT NAKASENDO TRAIL
Season: Spring – Autumn
The hiking trails of Kiso Valley are as historically important as they are beautiful, as part of what was once the ‘Nakasendo Trail’. As one of five major thoroughfares between Kyoto and Tokyo during the Edo Period, Nakasendo was busy with human and merchant traffic, closely monitored and taxed by 67 postal towns. Bringing great wealth to these small towns, many have retained or have been returned to their traditional character and dot the pleasant hiking through a mixed landscape of forest, farmland, and mountain peaks. With attractive postal towns including Narai, Magome, and Tsumago (among others) offering accommodation, restaurants, and traditional crafts, hiking through this region is quickly becoming popular with international visitors; and with many guesthouses offering luggage forwarding services to your next night’s accommodation, this leisurely hiking is suitable for anyone of reasonable fitness. For more specific information, see our ‘Walk the Nakasendo Trail‘ page.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano & Matsumoto: Step into the Past on the Nakasendo | |
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| Period | March – June / September – December |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,900 |
The Nakasendo Trail is best experienced with a knowledgeable guide who can bring its stories to life. Offering pick up from both Nagano City and Matsumoto, this day trek will have you walking an 8 kilometer section of the trail generally considered to be its best preserved and most scenic section. Stop ins at the post towns of Tsumago and Magome are included, allowing guests to really imagine that they have turned back time and are seeing Japan as it was 200 years ago.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail | |
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| Period | March – June / September – December |
| Time | 10:00-18:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,900 |
We also offer the same tour with pick up from Nagoya instead. As the portion of the Nakasendo Trail that will be visited is actually quite close to Nagoya, it makes for a great day trip to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
TATEYAMA KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE
Season: Spring – Autumn
This iconic route is as renowned for its dramatic landscape and ecological importance as it for the remarkable engineering feat of the Kurobe Dam – a source of national pride – nestled high within these stunning mountains. Often called ‘The Roof of Japan’, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route receives over 20 meters of snowfall each winter making it inaccessible until spring. Once the weather warms and the snow recedes, the mountains offer hikers some of the most remarkable natural attractions in Japan including its famous 20 meter Snow Walls and iconic mountain peaks of Mt Tateyama (3015m), Mt Oyama (3003m), and Mt Murudo (2450m). Trails around these peaks are largely easy 1 to 2 hour walks through beautiful plateaus of marshes, ponds, beech forest and giant cedar trees, and alpine flowers. The hike to the summit of Mt Tateyama is a more serious undertaking taking 2 hours to climb the 2.5 trail, but as of the one of three key spiritual mountains in – along with Mt Fuji and Mt Haku – it is a popular and meaningful undertaking. For more information, see our page on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
1 Day Tour
| [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour from Nagano: Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route | |
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| Period | April to June |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is quite an endeavor to complete. Requiring numerous forms of transport including buses, cable cars, and ropeways, it is often a challenge especially in the spring season when visitor number are at their peak. By taking part in our tour, you can leave all of the planning and time management to your guide and be free to enjoy the amazing snow walls and alpine scenery. Expect the snow walls to be at their best in April when the tour begins; but, if you come later in the season, such as June, the crowds will be much diminished and you will be able to move more freely.
1 Day Tour
| [Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the ‘Roof of Japan’ | |
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| Period | July to October |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
After the snow walls melt away, the area becomes much quieter but is still just as attractive. Our tours in the area continue until October, and allow you to enjoy hiking amongst the greenery in summer and to see the bright colors of fall later in the season. If you make the visit in late June through to mid July, snow can still be observed even if the snow walls themselves have largely melted.
KAMIKOCHI ALPINE VALLEY TRAIL
Season: Spring – Autumn
Located at the southern tip of the Northern Japanese Alps, Kamikochi is said to be one of Japan’s most scenic vistas. With Kappabashi bridge, the view from which can be seen in the above photo, located at the heart of the area, a number of rustic looking hotels and gift shops are to be found before the trails lead into the wilderness. Buses stop at Kappabashi – meaning it has the most visitors – but if you venture further in either direction, towards Taisho Pond or towards Tokusawa, you will see the number of day-trippers drop and come across more dedicated hikers. The sections of trail from Myojin Pond to Tokusawa, and then from Tokusawa to Karasawa Cirque, are especially devoid of more casual visitors and afford the best solitude and untouched natural scenery. The walk from Taisho Pond to Kappabashi has the best views of all of the easier trails, and can be done in 1.5 hours. Going from Kappabashi further to Myojin Pond likewise takes around 1.5 hours, although for those who walk at a quick pace it can be done in 45 minutes. Myojin Pond to Tokusawa is once again around 1 hour, making the Kappabashi – Tokusawa journey take roughly 5 hours round trip, especially if you are stopping to rest and take photos!
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle | |
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| Period | April to November |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥23,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,900 |
If you’ve been convinced to visit Kamikochi, this tour is a great way to do so and take the hassle out of the potentially complicated transport options. Including a morning stop at the 500 year Matsumoto Castle, a must see and one of Japan’s best original castles, the afternoon will see you hiking through Kamikochi with your guide. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including Black Bear, Japanese Serow, Japanese Macaques (Snow Monkeys!), and numerous varieties of songbird.
TOGAKUSHI NINJA TRAIL
Season: All year round
Located only 20km from Nagano City, Mt Togaukushi (1904m) is a sacred mountain central to Shintoism and its creation stories, which has been drawing devotees for more than 1000 years. As one of the most important Shinto sites, Togakushi Shrine is a place where the principal of nature devotion is manifest by walking the forest trails between the 5 individual shrines that makeup the complex. Trails dissect a 17th century cedar forest with the approach to the Okusha (Main Shrine), bordered by immense, 800 year old cedars a highlight. These are gentle, reflective walks taking 2.5 hours to visit all 5 shrines. More testing hikes can be undertaken surrounding mountain peaks, suitable for only experienced mountaineers (with climbing required) or with a guide. Togakushi’s seductive character is rounded-out by its past use by ninjas as a region to hide-out and develop their skills. Now commemorated by the Togakure Ninpo Ninja Museum and Children’s Ninja Village, these entertaining sites can be visited while walking the trails and are particularly enjoyable for families. For more information on Togakushi and what you can do there, please click here.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Togakushi Legends Tour: Hands-on Soba Noodles, Ninja Village, and Hidden Shrines | |
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| Period | July to November |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:20 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Information Board |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
On this fun guided tour, you will have the chance to make soba noodles, which Togakushi is famous for, hike amongst the giant cedars which tower over the trail, and even learn about Ninjas at a fascinating museum. Fun for the whole family, nature lovers, food lovers, and the younger members of the group will all find something to be entertained by here. By visiting in October, you may also see bright fall colors, as the leaves in the forest turn to their autumnal oranges and reds.
SHIGA KOGEN MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Season: Summer – Autumn
As the final of four major mountain ranges dissecting Nagano, the peaks, forests, and trails of the Joshinestu Kogen National Park offer some of the region’s best hiking and nature photography. Declared a UNESCO Biodiversity Reserve in 1981, the highlands cradle an important alpine ecosystem, home to numerous unique flora and fauna. A mixed landscape of woodlands, swamps, ponds and high moors is crisscrossed by an array of hiking trails – from well-maintained sealed and elevated walkways to less readily identifiable trails leading deep into the forest and toward the mountain peaks. Home to two notorious volcanoes including Mt Asama – the most active volcano in Japan – and Mt Shrine – which holds the world’s most acid lake within its caldera – the beauty and tranquility of the Shiga Kogen Mountain Trails somewhat belie the true dramatic nature of Nagano’s last great mountain range – a truly special place with deserved international recognition. To get started with your planning, contact us using the ‘Inquiry‘ button at the bottom of the page!
JAPAN ALPS MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Season: Spring – Autumn
Japan is a mountainous country, with three large mountain ranges dissecting the central island of Honshu and accounting what are known as the ‘Japanese Alps’. Spread across six prefectures including Nagano, this immense region is home to more than twenty mountains above 3000 meters and a mecca to alpine enthusiasts. Japan’s third highest peak, Mt Hotaka (3190m) and fifth highest peak, Mt Yari (3180m) are two to the most popular destinations, along with Japan’s second highest volcano, Mt Ontake (3067m). Each offers stunning views with increased difficulty depending on your route and fitness level. As Japan’s second highest peak, Mt Kita (3193m) is another popular hiking destination, in addition to the stunning views and varied hiking trails found at the fabled Kamikochi and Mt Yake (2455m). These dramatic mountain ranges offer hikes from easy to very difficult and some of the most stunning landscapes you will encounter in Japan. For more information, please see our ‘Hike Japan’s North Alps Mountain Trails‘ page.
THE BEST TOURS AND CHARTERS IN NAGANO
From towering mountains to bathing monkeys, and vibrant cities to quiet shrines, Nagano has a lot to offer. We have introduced in the sections above tours which bring you to each respective hiking trail. But hiking is not all that we can help you with. We have a number of tours on offer in this great area, including those focusing on outdoor activities, cultural experiences, snow sports, and more! To see a complete breakdown of everything we have on offer, please visit our ‘Best Tours in Nagano‘ page
For transport, either from destination to destination or just for a day trip, our private charter service is the standard of ease and comfort. We can pick you up wherever you are, and bring you to wherever you want to go – even if that is as far as Tokyo or Nagoya! Perfect for travelers with lots of luggage, or those looking to visit places not easily accessed by public transport, by contacting us we can get started on helping you craft your perfect itinerary – once done, all you need do is relax as our drivers take you to where you want to be. You can even add a guide to make it a private, personalized tour just for your group. For more information on pricing and availability, please click HERE.
