The Historic Nakasendo Trail: Japan's Samurai Road

The Nakasendo Trail is a route steeped in history in the heart of Japan. This legendary path, which once linked the cities of Kyoto and Edo, captivates visitors with the splendour of the surrounding nature, while offering a glimpse into Japan's rich history and culture. Walk in the footsteps of the travellers of old who, centuries ago, took this route to sell their wares or deliver urgent messages. Discover traditional villages, magnificent temples and picturesque landscapes that will make your journey an unforgettable adventure.

The Nakasendo Trail is a historic Japanese road that served as an important communication route between Kyoto and Edo (present-day Tokyo) during the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868. The “road through the central mountains”, as it literally translates, winds through breathtaking landscapes and tells the story of the Land of the Rising Sun all on its own.

The trail stretches over more than 500 kilometres between metropolises that are home to millions of inhabitants. This route is dotted with a multitude of small post stations, 69 in total, built to serve as stopovers and resting places for travellers. These waystations occupied strategic positions along the road and offered board, lodging and the chance for travellers to swap horses worn out by the journey.

The samurai played a role of the utmost importance in the history of the Nakasendo Trail. These members of Japan's warrior nobility travelled along this strategic artery as part of their duties. They ensured safety all along the trail by upholding law and order and protecting travellers from bandits.

The Nakasendo Trail takes you through some of Japan's most picturesque landscapes, including mountainous regions, valleys where rivers flow, forests and beautiful stretches of water.

• The Kiso Valley: the Kiso Valley connects the former provinces of Mino and Shinano. This roughly 70-kilometre stretch offers a natural landscape of majestic cypress and pine forests. In spring, countless cherry trees come into blossom here. In the Kiso Valley, you can discover hundreds of species of birds and other animals, including the Japanese serow and various species of monkey. The occasional encounter with roe deer and wild boar cannot be ruled out. The cool, crystal-clear waters of the Kiso River run through the valley, reflecting the surrounding mountains. The majestic peaks of Mount Hoken and Mount Ontake, a sacred volcano, offer unforgettable panoramas.

• The Kaida Plateau: this high plateau in the Japanese Alps partly covers Nagano Prefecture at around 1,200 metres above sea level. The impressive Kaida Plateau, close to the historic post stations of Narai-juku and Yabuhara-juku, is prized for its green meadows in the shadow of Mount Ontake. This region is home to exceptionally diverse flora and fauna. It is also the birthplace of the Kiso horse, the mount of samurai and other notables. As a visitor, you'll have the chance to discover these rather small but very hardy horses and get a glimpse of everyday life at a Japanese stud farm.

• The Nezame-no-toko Gorge: this picturesque gorge near the historic post station of Agematsu-juku enchants nature lovers with the crystal-clear waters of the majestic Kiso River winding along the rock faces. With its cuboid granite cliffs, it lets visitors enjoy unforgettable hiking and climbing sessions. The ideal time to go is in spring, when the magnificent cherry trees transform this canyon into a veritable ocean of pink and white blossom.

The Nakasendo Trail passes through numerous religious and historical sites, among them imposing castles, magnificent shrines and temples where travellers can rest and ask the monks for their blessing.

The city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture, is home to Matsumoto Castle, nicknamed “the crow” because of the black colour of its façade. This gem, built in 1594, is listed as a “National Treasure of Japan”. It is one of the last authentic Japanese castles and ranks among the most beautiful in the whole archipelago. Within the castle grounds, a wealth of exhibited objects give a glimpse into the rich past of this building and its inhabitants, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history of medieval Japan. You'll climb a wooden staircase with especially steep steps to reach the top floor. There, a breathtaking panorama awaits, with views over the city of Matsumoto and the surrounding mountains. Surrounded by a magnificent park, the castle is bordered by moats that delight the ducks, swans and fish.

Located in the post town of Tsumago-juku, Kotokuji Temple is one of the jewels of the Nakasendo Trail. Since its construction in 1500, it has borne witness to the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The teachings of the great masters are kept alive here. From the hill on which the temple stands, you'll enjoy a view over Tsumago-juku, a particularly magical sight in autumn, when the foliage of the surrounding trees turns from green to yellow and red. Inside the temple, you'll be struck by the immaculate white walls and by a weeping cherry tree several centuries old. You'll also discover a rare and ancient litter — yes, a stretcher — an object considered one of the earliest models of the rickshaw.

Japan is famous for its healing hot springs, known as onsen. These natural hot springs are of course places of relaxation and healing, but they also offer a chance to discover the beauty of Japanese nature and the hospitality of the locals. The Magome and Tsumago hot springs, located in the historic post towns of Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku, give visitors an unforgettable experience. In Magome, the onsen will transport you into the enchanting atmosphere of the Edo era, marked by a long and rich history. Surrounded by forests and majestic mountains, the hot springs are the perfect place to relax after a long walk.

Your hike along the Nakasendo Trail is of course also a unique opportunity to sample the traditional dishes of the local cuisines.

• Soba noodles: soba noodles, made from buckwheat flour, are a much-loved dish along the Nakasendo Trail. Often served cold with a soy sauce, they can be enjoyed in dedicated restaurants, the soba-ya, in various post towns. One of the best-known places for soba is the Narai-juku station.

• Tempura: tempura are deep-fried foods, often prawns, vegetables and fish. You can sample these delicious, crispy specialities in tempura restaurants, the tempura-ya, all along the trail.

• Oden: oden is a one-pot dish, a hotpot made up of various ingredients such as eggs, radishes, fish and other ingredients each more delicious than the last, coming together to form an appetising stew. You'll find this dish in the many izakaya, those Japanese pubs, in various post towns.

Yosegi-Zaiku: in the Nakasendo region, you can discover a truly exceptional type of artistic craft, traditional Yosegi-Zaiku marquetry. These are ornamental objects with intricate patterns, made from different types of wood such as cedar, cherry and walnut. The patterns range from geometric shapes to natural motifs such as flowers or birds. This craft was originally developed by artisans in the town of Hakone. Today, Yosegi-Zaiku marquetry comes in various forms, from vases to stationery.

Tsumugi silk: the villages dotted along the Nakasendo Trail are also known for their refined and colourful fabrics. A piece of hand-woven silk, such as Tsumugi silk pongee made in Tsumago-juku, is used for kimonos and shawls. This silk is characterised by its distinctive texture and its natural pigments, obtained from indigo, walnut husk and sappanwood. The art of Tsumugi silk is passed down from generation to generation. The patterns used in Tsumugi silk range from simple geometric shapes to complex designs that are so many hymns to the surrounding nature. All that's left is to visit the workshops of Tsumago-juku to discover this fascinating tradition up close.