A Walk Your Children Will Never Forget.

7.7km of 400-year-old samurai trail through the Japanese mountains.

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馬籠宿〜妻籠宿 旧中山道

The Nakasendo —
A Road Built for People

The Nakasendo — meaning "Central Mountain Route" — was one of the five major highways of Edo-period Japan. For over 400 years, this 534-kilometre road connected Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto, winding through the forested mountains of central Honshu.

The 7.7-kilometre stretch between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku is the most beautifully preserved section of the entire route. The original cobblestone path remains largely unchanged — shaded by cedar and cypress, passing through rice terraces, old post-town inns, and the forested Magome Pass at 801 metres.

This was not a road built for tourists or emperors. It was built for ordinary people — travelling merchants, government messengers, pilgrims, and families. The stones beneath your feet carry the memory of every one of them.

中山道は旅人のために作られた道ではありません。それは人々のために一一荷物を運ぶ商人、任務に就く武士、家族に会いに歩く母親たちのために作られた道です。

Route
Magome-juku → Magome Pass → Tsumago-juku
馬籠宿 → 馬籠峠 → 妻籠宿
Season
Walkable year-round. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage are exceptional.
Access
Nearest stations: Nagiso (JR Iida) or Nakatsugawa by express bus.
Baggage Forward
Local services transfer your luggage between post towns so you walk light.

Why People Love Samurai Road

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Safe & Walkable

A gentle 7.7km path suitable for all ages, including children aged 6+. Well-maintained stone paths, no traffic, no danger.

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Living History

Walk the same stones as samurai and merchants 400 years ago. History you can touch, smell, and feel beneath your feet.

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Villages to Discover

Magome and Tsumago post towns offer tea houses, local crafts, and warm welcomes at every turn.

The Trail at a Glance

7.7km
Total Distance
3–4hrs
Walking Time
400+
Years of History
801m
Highest Point

Ranked among the world's great heritage walks — alongside Camino de Santiago and the Inca Trail.

More Than a Walk. A Mission.

The Nakasendo was not built for tourists. It was built for people — merchants carrying goods, samurai on duty, mothers walking to see their families. When you walk this road with your children, you join that story.

SAMURAI ROAD PROJECT exists to keep that story alive — preserving the trail, sharing its history with the world, and welcoming every walker who steps onto these ancient stones.

We believe this road belongs to everyone who walks it. Our mission is to think — endlessly and seriously — about how to bring joy to every person who chooses this path. The trail is yours. We are simply its guardians.

サムライロードプロジェクトは、この道を歩くすべての人のために存在します。

道の保全・文化継承・体験価値の向上を、私たちは永続的に考え続けます。

歩いてくれる人たちに喜んでもらうことを、ずっと考えています。

この道はみんなのもの。私たちはその管理団体です。

Your Samurai Road

Share your walk with the world. Every photo is proof that people still walk this ancient road.

📸 Post a Photo from the Trail

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Become a Samurai Road Supporter

Every purchase supports trail preservation and cultural heritage. Stickers, completion certificates, and more — each one a piece of the journey to bring home.