Duration
6.5 hours
Availability
Early-April ~ Late November
Price: ¥ 14,00 above
（tax included）
Highlight
- A great excursion from Tsumago-juku or Magome-juku on the Nakasendo. Please consult with us about staying at Hirugami Onsen (not included in the tour price), the largest onsen resort in Southern Nagano and known for its beautiful peach blossoms in April.
- Enjoy two ancient roads from completely different historical periods – The Tosando from the 8th century and the Chuma-kaido from the Edo period. Learn about the area’s long history and its role as a hub for the flow of people and commodities.
- Enjoy Achi Village’s abundant nature, mountain views, and ancient hamlets whose beauty changes by the seasons.
- Have fun with members of the Achi Village Museum Association.
- Lunch is “gohei-mochi”, which you will make yourself, along with catering provided by a local restaurant. Enjoy local food with seasonal local ingredients from the surrounding Minami-Shinshu area, known for its delicious agricultural produce.
Story
Recommended for travelers wanting to see the Japanese countryside. Walk through on a historical trail through beautiful hamlets. Check out the mountain views and ancient relics. And finally, meet the warmhearted locals and try cooking their local cuisine, “gohie-mochi.” This tour takes place in Achi Village at the southern end of the Ina Valley. Achi is famous for its night sky and is ranked no.1 for star-gazing in all of Japan. It also has several luxurious onsen ryokan accommodations in the hot-spring resort of Hirugami Onsen.
The village is bordered on the north and
west by Nagiso Town and Nakatsugawa City, which are home to Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku respectively. The start point of this tour at Hirugami Onsen is just 40 minutes from Tsumago-juku and 50 minutes from Magome-juku by car, and the area has a strong historical connection to the Nakasendo. Starting from Hirugami Onsen, you will start the walk on the Tosando, one of the oldest known roads in Japan, developed in the early 8th century. The hike then moves onto a different historical path, the
Chuma-kaido. The Chuma-kaido was mostly used by peasants whose job was to transfer everyday goods such as salt and charcoal across Japan using horses. The road ran parallel to the Nakasendo but
had more relaxed rules and so it became a popular route during the Edo Period (1603-1868).
In Komaba-juku, one of the largest “ekiya” (horse station towns) on the Chuma-kaido, guests can enjoy making a traditional local food called “gohei-mochi”. Gohei-mochi is a kind of grilled rice dumpling made
of lightly pounded rice and grilled with a walnut paste. You will be joined by members of the Achi Village Museum Association who work tirelessly to protect the natural and historical beauty of Achi for future generations. For lunch, you will eat your own handmade “gohei-mochi” along with a few other dishes prepared by a local restaurant. The day ends with a walking tour of Komamba-juku from a friendly local guide.
Activity Level
- A gentle and comfortable walk.
Technical Level
- The route is mostly paved with a steady walking surface.
Price Per Person
20,000JPY/person for 4ppl;
17,000JPY/person for 5-6ppl;
14,000JPY/person for 7-8ppl
Included in the fee
- English speaking guide fee
- Lunch (local food with seasonal local ingredients)
- Cooking fee
- Transportation fee during the tour.
Not included in the fee
- Transportation to/from the meeting point
- Insurance (please purchase travel insurance in your own country)
- Anything else not specified (The bank transaction fee shall be covered by the customer.)
Language
English
Event Duration
About 6.5 hours
Distance / Elevation
Distance: 7.0km
Elevation Climb: 60m
Age / Height:
12 yrs and above
Meeting Point
Hirugami Onsen Morning Market Parking Lot
（30 min. from JR Iida Station, 40 min. from Tsumago-jjuku, 50 min. from Magome-juku (all by car)
Disbanding Point
Hirugami Onsen Morning Market Parking Lot
Program Availability
Early-April ~ Late November
Participants
4 – 8 people
Application Deadline
30 days in advance
Agent Name
Minami Shinshu Tourism Bureau
Clothing/Wha to bring
- Clothing and shoes suitable for hiking and matching the weather conditions.
- Items may include rain gear (coat/pants)
- Backpack,
- Drinks (1 liter)
- Trail snacks
- Gloves
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Down layers
- Hiking poles, etc.
Itinerary
| 8:40-9:00 | Meeting at Hirugami OnsenMorning Market Parking Lot, briefing with your guide. |
| 9:00-12:00 | (Fureai Road) → Observation Platform → Nakadaira → (Chuma-kaido) → Komanba-juku → Finish at Sekiyama Shrine |
| 12:00-13:30 | Making “gohei-mochi,” and eating lunch at Tsuboya |
| 13:30-14:45 | Komanba-juku walking tour |
| 14:45-15:00 | Move to Hirugami Onsen by car |
| 15:00 | Finish at Hirugami Onsen Morning Market Parking Lot |
Cancellation Policy
■ Fees in case of cancellation on behalf of the customer
- Cancellation on or after the 10th day from the day immediately preceding the starting day of the tour: 20% of the tour price.
- Cancellation on or after the 7th day from the day immediately preceding the starting day of the tour: 30% of the tour price.
- Cancellation the day immediately before the starting day of the tour: 40% of the tour price.
- In cases where the contract is cancelled on the starting day of the Tour: 50% of the tour price.
- Cancellation after the start of the tour or the traveler does not participate in the tour without notice (no show): 100% of the tour price.
■ Cancellation at the discretion of the organizer
- In the case of the tour being cancelled by the organizer, no cancellation fees will apply.
- In case of cancellation due to bad weather, we will contact you the day before the tour.
- The itinerary may be changed or the tour maybe cancelled after the program has started. In this case, we will pay an indemnity in accordance with the Standard General Conditions of Travel Agency Business, except in a case of force major (natural disaster).
Interested in our tour?
No second thoughts, contact us.
We have been having many requests from agents overseas, mentioning that they are trying to expand their destinations in/to Japan or they have already but need help creating the itineraries for their clients to keep up with the demand.
Heartland Japan has increased the number of staff to accommodate these requests. If you are hand-full and need some advice, we are here to help.
For more information about this experience program, We will coordinate with local suppliers on dates, prices, and details of the program. We will coordinate with local suppliers on dates, prices, and details of the program and provide the program to you.
Please contact us for more information. We look forward to providing you with a unique and immersive experience in the region!
For this experience program, please inquire with our company each time. We will coordinate with local suppliers to arrange the schedule, fees, and detailed content for you. Please start by contacting us.
Look forward to a unique, immersive local experience!