4 Day Adventure Itinerary of Central Japan
This itinerary is perfect for the adventure seekers and those looking for a more active tour through the Japanese countryside. Discover historic castles, hike breathtaking mountain trails, raft down winding rivers, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of this captivating region.
Availability: late-April to November
HIGHLIGHTS
— Hike the Nakasendo Trail for 8 km from Tsumago to Magome, with plenty of time to rest and take in the view.
— View Japan’s largest castle keep, Nagoya Castle, and tour the magnificent Honmaru Palace which was Japan’s first castle to be designated a National Treasure.
— Raft down the Tenryu River led by a qualified instructor and accompanied by your English-speaking guide.
— Taste dishes unique to Nagoya and Central Japan.
— Explore the stunning alpine valley of Kamikochi, considered the jewel of the Chubu Sangaku National Park.
— Visit Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s few remaining original castles and a registered National Treasure.
ITINERARY
Day 4 – Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle
Day 1 – Nagoya / Hotel: Nagoya
Get a lay of the land and fuel up for the action packed days ahead with a food tour of Nagoya.
This walking tour provides you with a taste of the wonderful flavors of the region and introduces you to some of the most notable landmarks in the city.
As we eat our way through Nagoya, you will also be able to marvel at the gilded artwork and golden screens in Honmaru Palace, relax as you gaze upon the reflecting pond of Mirai Tower, and learn about the day’s fresh catch at a bustling fish market as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide through Nagoya on this full-day tour.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Eat Like a Local in Nagoya | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 8:00-16:30 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Day 2 – Nakasendo Hike / Hotel: Matsumoto
Step into the past and experience life in rural Japan as you hike the historic Nakasendo trail from Tsumago-juku to Magome-juku.
This 8k hike features waterfalls and wildlife, and provides you with stunning views of lush forests, crystal-clear streams, and remote mountain villages—which have remained relatively untouched by the modern world. Shop for handmade crafts and sample local fare. This tour will reward those who like to take the road less traveled and enjoy an adventurous experience into the heartland of Japan.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Hiking the Historic Nakasendo Trail | |
| Period | April – December |
| Time | 10:00-18:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,900 |
Day 3 – Tenryu River-Rafting / Hotel: Matsumoto
Turn-up the excitement with an afternoon of rafting on the Tenryu River. Explore the Tenryu Riverlands, located in the far south of Nagano prefecture and boasting one of Japan’s most beautiful river gorges.
As one of the more extreme rivers in Japan, this 10k rafting tour features plenty of thrilling sections where you can—and will—be splashed. This tour also has plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery as you sample Japanese classics such as soba, tonkatsu, and tempura at a local restaurant and enjoy the season’s bounty as you pick seasonal fruits at a local farm along the river.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Matsumoto: Tenryu River-Rafting & Fruit-Picking | |
| Period | late-April to November |
| Time | 8:00 |
| Meeting Place | Matsumoto Station |
| Price | ¥135,000 ~/ Group |
Day 4 – Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle / Hotel: Matsumoto
The adventure continues as you tour Matsumoto Castle—one of the few remaining original castles in Japan and a registered National Treasure—before heading high into the grandeur of the North Alps and onto the protected alpine oasis of Kamikochi.
Your guide will lead you along a trail though this stunning plateau ripe with flora and fauna which was formed by a volcanic eruption over 100 years ago. This tour captures the essence of Central Japan by combining two of its most iconic destinations and is the perfect conclusion to your 4-day adventure packed itinerary.
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 |
From here, you can continue your journey through Central Japan making your way through Nagano to Kanazawa and beyond, or you can head back to Nagoya or Tokyo for all the excitement of the cities.
Please keep in mind as there are so many exciting places in this region, any of the tours listed in this itinerary can be switch out with any of our other Nagoya based tours or Matsumoto based tours.
HOW TO BOOK
If this itinerary sounds interesting to you, please book each of the above tours individually, or contact us via the booking inquiry button.
PRIVATE TOURS AND CHARTERS
PRIVATE CHARTERS
If you are looking for transportation to/from major destinations, our company is happy to help! Our buses and vehicles are suitable for single travelers, couples, families and groups of up to 45 people. Click the button below to browse some of our popular charters and to inquire directly.
PRIVATE TOURS
In addition to providing transportation, we can also accommodate your tour needs by providing guides with the itinerary of your choice. If there are tours that you want us to conduct or if you want to adjust our current tours to your needs, feel free to contact us. There are a number of private tours already on our website that allow you to enjoy our tours without the stress of having to worry about other guests, so check those out, too. Click on the button below to make an inquiry.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING NAGOYA
As one of Japan’s largest cities, Nagoya has a variety of accommodations to suit every traveler’s preferences and budget.
The area immediately around Nagoya Station has many large hotels—ranging from high-end to budget—including some inside the station itself.
Located a short subway ride away from Nagoya station, the Sakae area of Nagoya is the city’s main shopping and entertainment district. As such the area has many great options for travelers looking to enjoy the city’s fine dining or nightlife.
For travelers looking for a more traditional stay, Nagoya and the surrounding areas also have many traditional ‘ryokan’ to choose from.
Most hotels are located in and around Nagano Station and nearby Sakae Station while travelers with early or late flights out of Chubu Centrair might consider staying around the airport. Our ‘Best Places to Stay in Nagoya’ page provides information about each of those areas including links to accommodation listings.
