Walk the Samurai Trail

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５miles to discover the good old Japan

You will be amazed by the old landscape of Nakasendo as if you travel back in time.

Explore Nakasendo ancient trails where Samurai, feudal lords,
and the emperor used to walk through back in the day and the old post town called Tsumago-juku
where people stopped to rest,which are still in the same conditions as it was back then in the sacred forest of Kiso.

Enjoy a journey of 5 miles to discover the good old Japan,
which has been highly acclaimed by the international media describing “Better than Kyoto”.

A private guide will talk about the unique stories of good old Japan while walking the Samurai trail.

You will visit the historical teahouse where Samurai used to stop by,
the waterfall where Samurai went through rigorous training,
and the giant trees worshipped as the sacred trees.

The Kiso Valley is where Shinrinyoku practice or forest bathing originated.
Relaxing your mind and body by taking in the rich scent of the Hinoki trees is the highlight of this tour.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

3:00 PM Check-in

Spend your relaxing afternoon at a luxury Kominka hotel made from all natural wood with only 3 suite rooms.
Each room has a made-to-order luxurious Hinoki bathtub with different designs. Enjoy forest bathing in the Hinoki bathtub while immersing yourself in the Hinoki aroma for a moment of relaxation.
(Forest bathing originated in the Kiso region).

A private butler is at your service to assist you with anything you need during your stay.
All the furniture and furnishings in the hotel are handcrafted by the local craftsmen and artisans.

6:30 PM Dinner

Fresh mushrooms, mountain vegetables, and wild game meat such as bear, boar, and deer bestowed by the forest of Kiso Valley. Organic vegetables and fruits produced at a local Satoyama farm.
Fish grown in Ise Bay receiving the rich blessings of the Kiso forest.

Our cuisine incorporates local natural ingredients of Kiso into innovative French dishes (12 to 15 course menu). The portion of each dish is small so that all the guests including small children and the elder can enjoy their meal.

Please kindly contact us in advance if you need special child-friendly menus.

9:00 PM Stargazing

After the meal, lets's get outside to stargaze, lying down on the sofa at the outdoor wooden deck. Total darkness of the countryside lets you enjoy the beautiful sky full of glittering stars just like a planetarium.

In winter, enjoy a perfect evening with your family and friends, sitting by the fireplace.

11:00 PM Sweet dreams

In the silence of the night all you hear is the sound of the wind and insects.
Slip into sweet dreams on the luxury beds.

Day 2

7:00 AM Take a walk

Good quality sleep lets you wake up early in the morning. Enjoy a morning walk around the hotel in the beautiful landscape.
Local area maps are available at front desk.

8:00 AM Breakfast

Have a fresh & healthy breakfast. Enjoy a fancy western breakfast using fresh organic fruits and vegetables from Satoyama.

Taste our specilty egg dishes which are prepared depending on your preferences and homemade natural yeast bread.

9:00 AM Hike the Nakasendo trail and post towns

We provide all the gears you need for the experience.
A 20 minutes drive will take you to the entrance of the historical Nakasendo trail in the mountains.
You will go on a 2.5 hours hike along with a knowledgeable private guide towards the former post town, Tsumago juku. On the way you will visit the 300 years-old giant trees, the waterfall with the legend of the famous Samurai, and the historical rest house having been continued since the Edo period.

In Tsumago juku, you will be visiting the historical buildings, "Honjin" and "Waki Honjin" which was an accommodation facility for Samurai and the feudal lords back in the day.

12:00 PM Lunch at Maru Sankaku Shikaku

After the activity, you will enjoy lunch at our dining restaurant with an open terrace located right next to Zenagi. On sunny days, you have a view of a beautiful landscape from the terrace on the wooden deck while enjoying a meal.

*Weekday package with 2 meals doesn't include lunch. Lunch can be arranged at an additional cost of JPY6,050 per person.
(Please select a lunch course in advance from the menu.)

Restaurant「Maru Sankaku Shikaku」