Historic Walk Between Nakasendo Post Station Towns

During Japan’s Edo period in the early 1600s, two main travel routes connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Kyoto, the former imperial capital: the Tokaido, which followed the coast, and the Nakasendo, which ran inland through mountains and rural communities. Unlike the more urbanized areas along the Tokaido, the Nakasendo passes through quieter countryside, where the character of earlier times still lingers in both landscape and lifestyle.

Stretching approximately 534 kilometers (332 miles), the Nakasendo Trail was walked entirely on foot, often over the course of two weeks. Along the way, travelers rested in post station towns, or lodging towns, known as shukuba, where they could eat, sleep, and prepare for the next leg of their journey.

On this tour, you’ll explore a peaceful and lesser-known section of the trail between Samegai-juku and Kashiwabara-juku—a short but meaningful journey through rural Japan. These two towns are not as heavily visited as places like Magome or Tsumagome, allowing you to experience a more authentic, lived-in atmosphere where echoes of the Edo period remain woven into the fabric of daily life.

Your walk begins in Samegai-juku, a beautifully preserved lodging town where a spring-fed, crystal-clear river flows through the center. This stream has sustained local life for generations and continues to shape a community built around sustainability and a close relationship with nature. In summer, the river is home to baikamo, a delicate aquatic flower that grows only in the purest waters.

From Samegai, you’ll follow a leisurely 6 km (3.7 mile) route through satoyama landscapes, rice paddies, and wooded paths to reach Kashiwabara-juku, another quiet post town nestled at the foot of the mountains. Upon arrival, enjoy a simple but satisfying onigiri lunch, reminiscent of what Edo-period travelers might have eaten. Dietary preferences—including vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly options—can be accommodated with advance notice.

After lunch, take time to stroll through Kashiwabara’s peaceful streets, meet local residents, and enjoy the gentle blend of history and daily life. Your guide—who lives in the area—will help translate and share insights into the local culture.

The tour usually concludes at JR Kashiwabara Station, where you can catch a short 10-minute train ride back to Maibara.

For those who wish to linger a little longer in this peaceful town, an overnight stay in a beautifully renovated traditional house in the Kashiwabara neighborhood is also available. This cozy guesthouse offers a more intimate connection with the area’s history and daily life. Please inquire for details if you’re interested in the accommodation option.

About Our Guides

We value real local culture. So, we rely on guides who are from the area and have strong local knowledge to guide you. Rather than simply introducing sightseeing spots, guides involved in the community can act as mediators and create opportunities to experience the values and communal ties.

Meet your guide right at the ticket gate of JR Maibara Station. By bullet train, Maibara is 1 stop east (20 min) from Kyoto. The guide will then join you for a short local train ride to Samegai, the actual tour site (fare paid by customers, but covered by JR Pass if you have one). The tour will conclude at Maibara Station.