YABUHARA TO NARAI
Yabuhara - Narai
Narai post town marks the half-way point between Kyoto and Tokyo on the former Nakasendo trail. This section of the trail (the Torii Pass) is particularly strenuous so travellers often needed to stop and rest here. As a result, Narai grew to be one of the most prosperous towns in the Kiso Valley and received the nickname ‘Narai of a Thousand Houses’ due to the sheer abundance of guesthouses. The Torii pass hike is 8.5km long and takes roughly 2.5 hours to complete. It is said to be quieter than the Magome–Tsumago stretch but nonetheless beautiful. The trail heads uphill from Yabuhara, past shrines and Mount Ontake views before gradually descending into Narai.
The charm of the Edo era remains in Narai today as many of the buildings have been carefully restored to their former glory and now contain guesthouses, restaurants and souvenir shops. Two former residences are open to the public, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past.
OTHER NAKASENDO AREAS
Kiso Fukushima
Kiso-Fukushima was one of the Nakasendo post towns as well as one of the four security checkpoints, thus it flourished as a political and economic centre in the Kiso Valley. The distinct Edo-style buildings throughout town are a picturesque reminder of this history. The checkpoint itself has been restored and now contains many fascinating relics of the Edo period including a display of documents, maps and weapons.
Otaki Village
Ancient Japanese beliefs are rooted in nature worship, so it was widely believed that mountains were the meeting place of heaven and earth. As Mount Ontake is Japan’s second largest volcano, it is a centuries old destination for religious pilgrims to pray and be purified. Otaki village, located 40 minutes from Kiso-Fukushima, lies at the foot of Mt. Ontake and has a history of accommodating the pilgrims travelling to the area.
Magome - Tsumago
The trail between Magome and Tsumago is a well-preserved section of the former Nakasendo trail. The walk is easy to moderate and well signposted in English. It is roughly 8km long and takes approximately three hours to complete at a leisurely pace. The trail leads through the countryside, past the homes and fields of local residents, occasionally intersecting with the road where hikers must walk along asphalt for short portions.
Accommodations
There are unique accommodations in Kiso Vally ranging from ‘Mishuku’ (Japanese bed & breakfast guest house) to ‘Ryokan’ (accommodation typically features a private Japanese tatami room with ensuite facilities).
