Duration
4 days 3 night
Availability
April ~ October
Price: ¥ 141,000 above
（tax included）
Story
Few people today know that the famous Nakasendo trade passage originally ran along this other, “phantom” route. Participants of this tour can travel this path from the Kiso Valley to the vast Ina Valley, and then journey through this huge area of fertile lands protected by Japan’s two alpine regions. Selected by local experts, this is a unique journey along the Phantom Nakasendo to the Ina Valley, where you can experience and learn about the valley’s historical and cultural features. This nostalgia-flavoured tour starts on Day 1, departing from Narai Juku in Kiso by e-bike. Cycle the Phantom Nakasendo to the Ina Valley.
Day 2 is spent e-biking and trekking, including a stroll around the beautiful satoyama areas of the Ina Valley. On Day 3, visit the ruins of Takato Castle and learn how the surrounding natural environment was utilized for the construction of this natural fort. You will also learn about the lifestyles of local samurai, and the stonemasons who created Buddha statues employing the wabi-sabi philosophy – a fascinating window into lifestyles here dating back to the 15th century. Your tour concludes on Day 4 making handcrafts with a devoted “wara-samurai,” who dedicates his life to preserving the legacy of wara (Japanese straw handcraft culture). Participants of this tour can learn how the inhabitants, culture, and unique natural environment in the Ina Valley has been protected by the blessing of its surrounding mountains throughout history.
Price Per Person
149,000JPY ~ / person for 4 ppl
145,000JPY ~ / person for 5 ~ 6 people
141,000JPY ~ / person for 7 ~ 10 people
Clothing/Wha to bring
Day 1-2:
- Clothing and shoes you can move in
- Rain gear
- Soft drink (about 1 liter / day)
- Snack (optional)
Day 3:
- Rain gear
- Soft drink (optional)
Day 4:
- Comfortable clothing (skirts not allowed)
Customer Review
Day1-2:
It is a perfect combination of cycling and trekking mixed with the guide’s explanations of culture and history.
Day 3:
Although Takato Castle has no remaining buildings (unlike other well-known sites such as Osaka Castle), learning about a ‘real’ aspect of Japanese history was a surprisingly enjoyable experience.
Day 4:
The stories of Mr. Sakai, a top Sumo ring craftsman, are splendid!
Included in the fee
- Guide fee
- Translator fee
- Entrance fees of visited facilities
- Activity fees
- Accommodation (3 nights)
- Meals (3 Breakfast, 4 Lunch, 2 Dinner)
- All travel from tour start point to finish
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
Duration
4 days 3 night
Age / Height:
18 ~ 65 yrs
Meeting Point
Narai Kiso-no-Ohashi Michi no Eki (Roadside Station)
(3 minutes’ walk from JR Narai Station on JR Chuohonsen Line)
Disbanding Point
JR Iijima Station (JR Iida Line)
(If you come by car, please park in the parking lot on the right.)
Program Availability
April ~ October
Participants
4 – 10 people
Application Deadline
30 days in advance
Agent Name
Nagano Inadani Tourism Bureau
Itinerary
Day 1 : The “Phantom Nakasendo” e-Bike Tour from Kiso Valley to Ina Valley
- Guided by a Tatsuno local, Ryohei Oguchi, an accomplished round-the-world cyclist!
- Enjoy ebike ride along the “Phantom Nakasendo: initially cleared in 1601, but due to the difficulty of travelling two mountain passes, it closed after just 15 years was was spurned in favour of the current Nakasendo. In its heyday, many travelers and horses traversed this path, carrying wood from Kiso to Ina, and rice from Ina to Kiso. Now, traces of the path are scarce and it is known by only a handful of people. Experience the hinoki cypress forest path, historical milestone markers, Hayagrīva stones, tiny villages, an original post town and more.
- Experience the hinoki cypress forest path, historical milestone markers, Hayagrīva stones, tiny villages, an original post town and more.
- Lunch is a soup set, full of local ingredients, served fresh from a kitchen car.
- Breaks for coffee, tea and local snacks.
| 9:00 | Meet at Narai Kiso-no-Ohashi Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) |
| 9:00~9:15 | Briefing, start riding |
| 9:15~11:00 | Ride (Narai-juku ~ Ushikubi Pass) |
| 11:00~11:45 | Lunch* (Soup set, full of local ingredients,) |
| 11:45~12:15 | Ride (Ushikubi Pass Top ~ Ono-juku) |
| 12:15~13:45 | Visit Ono-juku |
| 13:45~15:00 | Ride (Ono juku ~ Sangun no Tsuji ~ Ono jyuku ~Misawa Milestone, and break) |
| 15:10~16:30 | Ride (Misawa Milestone ~ Renei Parkline Place, and break) |
| 16:40~17:00 | Ride (Renei Ohjo Parkline Place ~ Sangun no Tsuji) |
| ~ Tatsuno ~ Kayabuki no Yakata） | |
| 17:00 | Check in at Kayabuki no Yakata |
| 18:30 | Dinner* |
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level
★★★★★
[Distance: 45.6km, Elevation Climb: 836m]
The route includes a long ride on e-bikes with climbs and descents. Participants will need a good level of fitness.
Technical Level
★★★★★
The route includes a long ride on e-bikes with climbs and descents. Some cycling experience is necessary.
Accomodation
| Room type | Shared room with tatami floor (1 ~ 5 ppl / room) (An extra charge for private rooms) |
| Bedding | Japanese futon |
| Air conditioning | 〇 |
| Wifi | 〇 |
| Washing facilities | 〇 |
| Other amenities | Towel , Tooth brush, Yukata |
Day 2：Off the Beaten Track “Tatsuno & Kawashima” e-Bike and Trekking Tour
- Guided by a Tatsuno local, Ryohei Oguchi, an accomplished round-the-world cyclist!
- While riding an e-bike, enjoy the beautiful mountainous scenery of Japan and the laid-back lifestyle of the locals. There are also historical Buddhist stone monuments that can be seen.
- Enjoy two short treks: one into Yokokawa Gorge, and the other to “Zero Point”, where the lines of latitude and longitude are integers at their point of intersection.
- Lunch is a large onigiri wrapped in paper-thin wood shavings.
| 7:30 | Breakfast* (buffet), preparation, check out |
| 9:00~9:15 | Briefing at Kayabuki no Yakata, start riding |
| 9:15~9:45 | Ride (Kayabuki no Yakata ~ Jyaishi Camping Site) |
| 9:30~9:45 | Break (Mt. Komagatake Peak) |
| 10:00~11:30 | Trek (Jyaishi Camping Site ~ Sankyu no Taki Waterfall in Yokokawa Gorge ~ Jyaishi Camping Site) |
| 11:30~12:30 | Lunch* (a large onigiri wrapped in paper-thin wood shaving) |
| 12:30~14:00 | Ride (Kawashima Area, off-road) |
| 14:00~15:15 | Ride (Kawashima Area ~ Tatsuno Area) |
| 15:15~16:00 | Trek to Zero point |
| 16:15~17:00 | Ride (Zero Point ~ Mt. Ohjo) |
| 17:00 | Panorama view of Ina Valley! Even enjoy sunset if weather permits! |
| Peak of Mt. Ohjyo | |
| 17:30~18:30 | Ride (Mt. Ohjyo ~ GRAV BICYCLE STATION) |
| 18:30 | Arrive at GRAV BICYCLE STATION (Tatsuno Town) |
| 18:54 | Depart from Tatsuno Station (JR Iida Line) |
| 19:32 | Arrive at Ina Kita Station, check in at Finedays Hotel |
| (Participants make their own dinner arrangements in Ina City.) |
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Activity Level
★★★★★
[Distance: 47.8km, Elevation Climb: 998m] The route includes a long ride on e-bikes with climbs and descents, including about an hour of off-road riding. There are also two short-treks, which will take about 90 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. Participants will need a good level of fitness and endurance.
Technical Level
★★★★★
Some cycling experience is necessary. The trek features some challenging terrain and steep sections, so please watch your step. Some trail experience is also necessary.
Accomodation
| Room type | Single room |
| Bedding | Bed |
| Air conditioning | 〇 |
| Wifi | 〇 |
| Washing facilities | 〇(Public Bath) |
| Other amenities | Towel , Tooth brush |
Day 3：Visiting the Natural Fortress, Takato Castle, and Experiencing Samurai Lifestyle
- Walk around the compound of the site where Takato Castle formerly stood and learn how the surrounding natural environment was utilized for the construction of this natural fort. Although only its ruins now remain, Takato Castle is designated as one of Japan’s 100 most famous castles.
- VR experience of the tragic history of Takato Castle and the fighting samurai.
- Learn how natural features were used to build the castle.
- Stamp of Takato Castle scarlet seal (go-jyo-in).
- Visit museums and learn about samurai lifestyle, education, medicine, and more.
- Feel the sense of “wabi-sabi” from Buddhist statues made by Takato’s Edo-era stone masons.
- Lunch: a healthy lunch made from local ingredients in an old, traditional Japanese house.
| 7:00 | Breakfast* (Buffet style), preparation, check out |
| 8:30~8:40 | Walk to Ina Kita Station Bus Stop |
| 8:55~9:23 | Ina Kita Station to JR Bus Takato Station (by bus) |
| 9:30 | Meet guide at JR Bus Takato Station |
| 9:30~9:40 | Tour briefing |
| 9:40~10:00 | Walk to Takato Town History Museum / valley view from a bridge |
| 10:00~11:00 | Takato Town History Museum with VR experience |
| 11:00~11:10 | Walk to Takato Castle Ruins Park |
| 11:10~12:00 | Explore the castle ruins |
| 12:00~12:05 | Walk to the samurai school, Shintokukan |
| 12:05~12:20 | Shintokukan |
| 12:20~12:30 | Walk the samurai route towards the castle town |
| 12:30~13:00 | Visit the historical house of an eye doctor for samurai |
| 12:50~13:00 | Walk to Kenpukuji Temple |
| 13:00~13:30 | Observe the stone Buddhist statues |
| 13:30~13:35 | Walk to Tamakiya (for lunch) |
| 13:35~14:20 | Lunch* at Tamakiya |
| 14:20~14:50 | Shopping time in Takato Castle Town |
| 15:10 | Depart from JR Bus Takato Station |
| 15:27 | Arrive at JR Bus Miyashitaguchi |
| 15:40 | Walk to Fukugami, check in |
| 18:30 | Dinner*(course meals using local ingredients) |
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity Level
★★☆☆☆
The course is about 4.6km in total (about 60 minutes of walking). From Takato Station to the history museum (about 20 minutes), the path is slightly uphill.
Technical Level
★★☆☆☆
Please be careful on the stairs.
Accomodation
| Room type | Shared room with tatami floor |
| Bedding | Japanese Futon |
| Air conditioning | N/A |
| Wifi | 〇 |
| Washing facilities | 〇 |
| Other amenities | Towel , Tooth brush |
Day 4：Meeting a Straw (wara) Samurai
- Due to the natural blessing of its climate and the meltwater from the surrounding alpine regions, Iijima Town is a renowned area of rice production. Here you will make a “shime-nawa” wreath from the straw that comes from the rice after it has been cut, under the guidance of Yuji Sakai, a “wara samurai” who makes the rope used in sumo rings for the national sport. Write your wish in your rope and pray at a shrine for it to come true. Your rope will be burned during the annual “Donto-yaki” ritual, which can be watched via social media.
- The building used for the activity is a recreation of a magistrate’s office of the Edo Period. You can feel the historical presence of samurais, magistrates using the study, criminals being sentenced in court, and daily life from the past.
- Prepare your own meal, a traditional Japanese set lunch, cooked in a historical Japanese kitchen on an irori hearth, with local women. Try tasting traditional natto wrapped in straw!
| 7:00 | Breakfast, check out |
| 8:40~9:10 | Depart from Fukugami to Inashi Station |
| (For groups of 7 or more, taxis will be arranged.) | |
| 9:30 | Depart from Inashi Station(JR Iida Line) |
| 10:14 | Arrive at Iijima Station(JR Iida Line), meet guide, and briefing |
| 10:25~10:35 | Walk to the Iijima Town History and Folklore Museum, “Iijima Jinya” |
| 10:35~10:55 | Lunch preparation: prepare rice and ingredients |
| 10:55~11:20 | View the museum |
| 11:20~11:40 | Lunch preparation: start stove fire with flint |
| 11:40~13:00 | Straw crafting with Mr. Sakai |
| 13:00~13:20 | Lunch preparation: final steps |
| 13:20~14:20 | Lunch around an irori hearth (Vegetarian option available) |
| 14:20~14:25 | Walk to Umeto Shrine |
| 14:25~14:45 | Shrine visit and praying for straw craft |
| 14:45~15:10 | Walk to Iijima Station (Stopping at a liquor store on the way) |
| 15:10 | Arrive at Iijima Station |
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Activity Level
★☆☆☆☆
Activity includes about 30 minutes in total of walking on a flat, paved path.
Technical Level
★★☆☆☆
Straw crafting requires some dexterity of the fingers, but the guide will help you with all the steps.
Cancellation Policy
■ Cancelation by the participant
- Cancellation on or after the 20th 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
- The itinerary may need to be changed or canceled after the tour starts. In this event, “itinerary change refunds” will be paid in accordance with a contract between you and us, except for reasons such as natural disasters.
Interested in our tour?
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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!