Solo Hike on the Nakasendo Trail | Japan's Legendary Trail from Kyoto to Tokyo | 中山道
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- čas přidán 29. 07. 2024
- Join me on this solo adventure along the Nakasendo Trail (中山道)! Though off the beaten path from Japan's "typical" tourist destinations, if you like the outdoors/nature/hiking, this trail is something you have to visit!
For a full blog post on this hike plus FREE downloads of trail maps and guidebooks, see here: www.marisaroundtheworld.com/s...
00:00 Nakasendo Intro
02:17 Tsumago Castle Ruins
03:35 Tsumago Post Town
09:37 Odaki & Medaki Waterfalls
15:15 Magome Post Town
16:20 Guest House Motomiya
19:10 Stone Pavement of Ochiai
21:09 Ochiai Post Town
21:57 Nakatsugawa Station
In the Edo period, the Nakasendo was one of the few walking routes that connected Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. At that time there were 69 post towns scattered along the way for travelers to rest. On my journey, I stopped by two of the most preserved ones: Tsumago and Magome!
While you can walk the 12-mile portion I walked (Nagiso Station to Nakatsugawa Station) in one day, I highly recommend staying overnight in Magome. The guest houses in the post towns are used to passing travelers and serve wonderful dinners and breakfasts to help replenish your energy. It's a great way to experience traditional Japan!
Guest House Motomiya: booking.tp.st/agA1ccky
My luck with the weather was less than optimal, but that didn't take away from the beautiful scenery one bit. I hope you enjoy this video and please be sure to like and subscribe!
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I've seen many vlogs of people hiking the Nakasendo trail but not in such bad weather. It brings out a different dimension to the trail.
Well done. 👍 If I could give you more than 1 like, I would - you definitely deserved that for persevering thru the pouring rain.
Thank you! 😁😁
Maris thank you 🙏 for sharing yr video and photos of Nakasendo trail. Especially for women wanting to hike and solo travel. Bravo 👏🏼 🎉
so happy i found this video, it's my dream to walk the trail!
Glad you enjoyed watching, I hope you can walk it too!
Walking the Nakasendo trail is the most precious memory of my trip to Japan. Thanks for sharing this video, it brings back sweet memories! ❤
It’s one of my best memories too. Glad to share ☺️
Beautiful. Japan is still on the bucket list
Great video. Super cool waterfall. Love the rainy hiking... I remember hiking in the rain along the Appalachian trail years ago. That's life... sometimes there is rain, and the wise gaijin knows how to be content and happy in the rain.
Thank you for taking us with you on the walk. I m disabled and can t walk these kind of trails, so I love to see a bit of it and get part of the experience ❤❤
Thank you for joining ☺️
How is it that literally every video I've ever seen on the Nakasendo trail has always turned out some of the best videos I've ever seen🥺🥺❤❤
You’re so kind! Thanks for watching and I’m glad you enjoyed the rainy adventure 😂
ahhh, this was exactly what I was looking for, I had a sudden urge to watch some adventure. Looked like a lot of fun despite the conditions, hahah, you deal with it quite well. Thanks for taking us with you!
So glad you enjoyed! It definitely was an adventure >.
Love this! … Thanks for sharing your experience. Have enjoyed watching from start to finish. Well done!!!!
😁😁 thank you for watching!
This is my first video of your channel. Loved it so much, firstly and most importantly there is NO crazy background music. But all the ambient, natural sounds, and your beautiful human voice. I subbed and explore more. You talked about the quality of the video at 8:20, for me fantastic. I love the nature, walking and hiking myself, but haven't had the luxury of your kind of wet weather environment which I am longing for.
Thanks for visiting my channel and noted about the ambient sounds, I’ll keep that in mind!
The nature was beautiful and although I’m not a fan of wet weather myself, it made for a magical atmosphere ☺️☔️
What a pleasure to learn about the Nakasendo Trail through your excellent video! I was a student in Japan many years ago and you rekindled my desire to return to Japan! Thank you so much for sharing!
So happy you enjoyed! Hope you can return to Japan soon
Wow that was amazing, makes me want to hike that trail in the rain. Definitely on my to do list
I love that you crushed it in the rain, I'm from Oregon so rain is part of life here, it makes the scenery so beautiful, less people, so lush but the downside, very slippery and wet. Thank you for posting this, I really want to hike this trial.
Glad you enjoyed! I’m a California girl so not as used to the rain. But you’re right, it made it so lush and almost no people! 😂
The Nakasendo is so beautiful! One of my favourite experiences in Japan. Thanks for the lovely video :)
One of my favorites too! ☺️☺️
Cool trail for hiking alone! Thanks for your film!
Very beautiful hike. Rainy days are sometimes the best for photography, so it’s actually smart to be hiking in the rain.
I can’t wait to visit. Come rain 🌧️ or shine.
Love your positive attitude and so cool to see this adventure! Subscribed and looking forward to more~
Thanks for subscribing! Many more videos to come :)
And this is amazing trail road. I'd love to spend few days staying there.
Gorgeous views…. This is like something out of a dream
It was beautiful!! ☺️
This is a great journey to watch as someone who is hoping to walk from Nagiso to Magome on a trip to Japan next Spring. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you get to enjoy this trip too!
Ah I miss Japan so much! Best vacation I’ve ever had! Really enjoyed your video!
This is an amazing video, I’m doing this walk in June and this has been a huge help. All the best with the travels
Thank you! Much appreciated and hope you have a wonderful trip :)
This was awesome. I had the urge to travel and see some adventure. Want to do this trail next trip in Japan. The hiking there is the best 😂
Yes, you should! It's such a neat area.
My goodness that’s so beautiful
Thanks for sharing your walk, it looks awesome.
It was a lovely time. Thank you for joining the journey!
Lovely relaxing video. Good vibes in that place. I really want to return to the peace of Japan.
Loved the vibes of the nature and old towns ☺️. Thanks for watching!
Wow! What a great trail! Beautiful!
It truly was spectacular!
Hello Maris 👋 we both loved your enthusiasm 😀 despite the rain 🌧.
A great hike on the trail to the two old towns.
A nice stop at your guest house❤.
Glad the rain stopped and you completed it safely 🙏. Greetings from England 🇬🇧 Simon and Beth ❤️ 😀 🙋
Thank you! It was so fun and I hope to be back again :)
this was so interesting to watch! i hope you post more of these kind in the future!
Thanks for watching, lots more coming!
I've always wanted to hike this trail and watching your vlog + reading your blog has helped me gain the confidence to finally do it! Thank you!
Ahh this makes me so glad to hear! I hope you have a wonderful time, it's such a great journey and I made so many memories. Good luck!!
@@MarisAroundtheWorld thank you! Looking forward to your next vlogs! Just booked my trip tonight :)
How long does it take to finish the trail from Kyoto to Tokyo? Is this ok to do during summer like aug? Is the trail easy to follow? Thank you in advance for any answers.
Love the rainy hike, it makes everything glisten so... and the sound! reminds me of a few rainy days on the hachi ju hachi trail walking through thickly bamboo'd areas. Hope you had a great time, looks like you did :)
I had an awesome time! Definitely slept well at night from all the walking but well worth it 😊
i really enjoyed this video!! was great to see the nakasendo trail in the train.
Glad to hear it! Thank you for watching :)
i stayed on the same guest house when i went there 2 years ago. amazing food and very kind owners. 👍👍👍
The guest house was the best!!
Thank you for showing us this beautiful countryside of Japan.😎
You are very courageous !
Thanks for watching!
This was wonderful. Thank you so much.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the adventure I want. Even funner when it’s raining.
It was a great adventure! (But I would prefer without the rain 😂)
Very enjoyable - even in the 🌧 - well done!
Thank you!! Couldn’t believe my luck, but at least it was still beautiful 😊
Nice place I wanna be there one day.. I love Japan 😍
Loved this video, subscribed! ❤
Thanks for this vid! SO helpful.
Glad you found it helpful :) thanks for watching!
Super helpful, thank you! Planning to do this next year in June. May very well have to do this in the rain, too!
Sounds great! Rain or shine, it’s a beautiful trip ☺️
Thank you! Really enjoyed your video & walk
Glad you did! Thanks for watching ☺️
Keep on posting. Road to 1k. Good luck to your channel and always take good care.
Thanks for watching, and I'm working towards that 1k! :))
I love 💕 the nature the houses 🏡 the trail so Beautiful, Stay safe and stay healthy. 🤙🙏♥️☮️🌈😘 Thank you for sharing your video. Awesome 🇯🇵
The nature was wonderful. Thanks for watching!
I’ve done the Nakasendo starting in Kyoto and Ending near Tokyo by bicycle 5 times, absolutely gorgeous. The over to mountain stretch between Magome and Tsumago is rough, you have to carry your bike for several stretches, but still the best part of the trip. I always advise people to do this when they come to Japan. The best parts of Japan are not in the cities!
Hello, I'm from Mexico and I've always been attracted to Japanese culture and its landscapes and rural houses that reflect a history but what intrigues me is to see so many houses and no soul in the streets. Thank you for sharing
Thank you for watching ☺️
What a nice walk!!
Highly recommend! 😁
🎉amazing, thanks for the inspiration!
I don't know this video was in my recommended videos, but I don't regret watching it! Very good for your first vlog! i'm surprised by how low the number of subs you have considering the quality, but you have gained another one! I can't wait where you go next! ^_^
Such kind words, thank you! I have many more coming down the pipeline that I'm excited to share :)
Awesome hike adventure. Thanks for sharing!
Of course! Looking forward to sharing more soon :)
hoping to see more hiking vlogs. watched this vlog for already 5 times :)
Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you enjoyed and you’re definitely encouraging me to go on more hikes now 🥾
I am planning to do this hike on Nov (Magome to Tsumago to avoid the uphill climb). You made the challenging hike look so comfortable because of your great personality and smile. Cheers!
Thank you and I hope you have a great trip. I sure did 😁
I use sandals when it rains during a long walk. Very relaxing, and you can walk indefinitely without getting hurt. I recommend umbrella + rain poncho + sandals. I purposely go out on rainy days! I love the rain!
Nice video and Kudos to you Maris making it through this part of Nakasendo trail during the pouring rain with such entusiasm/great spirit, not only between the towns of Tsumago-Magome (and satisfied with that) but all the way between Nagiso and Nakatsugawa. I myself have plans to do this walk in mid May next year, and like you walk the opposite direction instead of the more common walk starting from Magome and ending in Tsumago.
I had such a good time and hope you will to! Wishing for better weather though! 😂
@@MarisAroundtheWorld Better weather I want for sure, because I don't know if I will be as resilient as you in such conditions 😂🙂
I hiked the entire trail en to end in the summer of 1996. Great experience.
That’s incredible! How long was your journey?
Finding this so late but at the start of this year I walked from magome to tsumago in winter and it was such a cool experience.
That’s awesome you hiked it too!
Wow! This vlog is fantastic, you've got a new subscriber!
Thank you!
Wooooow, so nice. Japan is crazy beautiful 😍. I’ve got to plan a hiking trip there 🤘🏔🤘
Japan is beautiful 😊😊 hope you get to go soon!
Always wanted to walk that. Nice post!
Thank you!
I love this! Thanks!
So glad!
17:35 absolutely beautiful!
I loved thus hike, but i did tsumago juku (so towards tsumago from magome): researched it beforehand and this trail was downhill most of the time. Respect to you walking in the rain in the upward direction 😅😅😅
Nice picture of the waterfall !
Thank you! I’m glad it was worth getting even more soaked 😂
kudos doing this video in that weather - thats dedication!
Haha thank you !! ☔️
Im going there soon...thanks for the video . 😘
Have fun!
beautiful...
☀️🥾 like out of a dream ☺️
That is a great vlog. And you are a soldier. Thanks.
Thank you! 😄
Next time in Japan, I'll do it. Looks fantastic.
I totally recommend, hope you enjoy when you do it!
I love that you walked through the rain! Reminds me of the Hiroshige prints showing travelers running from the rain along the Nakasendo! But next time if you're hiking with one pair of shoes make them Salomon trail shoes with Goretex! Has the best traction and waterproof!❤🥾
Ooh thanks for the shoe recommendation! I’ll check them out! 🙏🏼
I love this "Trail" series (tbh i dont even know if it is a series or not). would love to see more of this kind of vlog.
Super glad you enjoyed! I'll be making more soon :)
@@MarisAroundtheWorld Great... just be carefull with the pandemic there. And thank you for the reply (｡･∀･)ﾉﾞ
watched your vlog first thing in the morning made my day
This is so kind to hear, thank you!
@@MarisAroundtheWorld if you ever want to visit india i will be so greatful to be your tour guide
cant wait to do this myself when I start my Semester abroad in Kyoto
Have a great time! Kyoto is also lovely too ☺️
thanks for sharing! appreciate the transportation tips
You bet! Glad you found it helpful. There isn't a lot of info out there so happy to share my experience! If you're looking for more detailed notes, be sure to check out my blog post too :) www.marisaroundtheworld.com/2021/12/27/solo-hiking-the-nakasendo-trail-complete-guide-and-itinerary/
Great video! It’s good to get a fresh style of Japanese related videos…..I kind of feel that the majority of Japanese travel vlogs/videos on CZcams these days are all produced using the same style & it’s getting a little boring/repetitive…..your realistic approach is such a breath of fresh air……thank you so much!
Wow, I super appreciate your comment! I had so much fun making this video and am glad you enjoyed :)
You did such a good job in documenting and the photos are damn well. Thanks for the information, I am excited to walk the path in fall this year :)
The path was so beautiful, it did most of the work for me 😂😂. But thank you, I hope you enjoy when you visit!
Excellent work!
Many thanks!
very relaxing vlog, love your personality :)
Thank you 😊
Thanks - enjoyed the video.
It reminds me of a hike i did - Koyasan Choishi Michi - loved the hike, but wow, was it ever hot!
I want to hike Koyasan next!
I really like this video. And I hope to walk this trail like you one day.
Thank you! I hope you do too ☺️
It was a awesome video ❤
😁😁 thank you!
That cat is adorable!🥺🥺
可愛い猫ちゃん🐱😍
Amazing! Wow! I am inspired!
Amazing! I hope you get to go someday
great video - i really enjoyed watching - thx
So happy you enjoyed :)
so cute!!!!
Thank you!! :)
Wow 😀
Very cool. I love how easy it is get to every post town along the Kiso Valley. I thru hiked the entire Nakasendo in November. Are you planning to hike the entire trail this year?
Not sure about travel plans yet, but I’d love to!
May I ask how many days did you take to complete the entire route? I wish to hike the entire route soon.
Ah I want to walk the nakasendo! Nice video!
Thank you!! I recommend it :)
Beutiful video and beautiful places!!! 😍
Agreed, I hope to go back!
@@MarisAroundtheWorld of course :)!
Terrific video. Takes me back. I hiked that route, also in a little rain, but in the other direction. It is indeed beautiful, peaceful. There's a curving incline on the trail with a shrine to all the oxen and pack animals that died at that spot. I love Japan, brilliant people, but I never hiked more hazardous trails anywhere else in the world. Has there ever been an ox that didn't know how to walk up and down a hill? The cobblestones of the trail are treacherous when it rains. You capture some of that at 7:18 in your video. (I can't remember cobblestones anywhere else on the planet that weren't close to level.)
In Japan there are wilderness trails that run straight up a slope, so that when it rains, the water runs straight down scouring out gullies. In Kamakochi, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, there's a trail along a gently sloping valley. After clambering down the mountain it seems like a relief, and easy hike back to the tourist area (they're flat and easy walking) and the buses. If you want to look anywhere except your next step you have to stop. If you look up and walk, you'll end up on your butt. Doesn't mean you shouldn't hike in Japan. I hiked all over from Yakushima Island in the south to Shiretoko in Hokkaido. Just be careful, use sticks. The hiking maps they sell at Montbell and other stores are brilliant. If the map says 0.2km 3 hours, that is how long is going to take you to hike that section. I used to walk very fast, I may have 'beat the map time' a few times, usually I was close to or behind the written time.
And a tip. Get a reservation. That meal is worth remembering to get a reservation next time. I got to Tsumago and asked around for a place to stay. The town was empty. but no one would take me in. The reason? They provide dinner. I didn't have reservation so they didn't have food. I made it clear I didn't need dinner, or breakfast. Nope. Sorry. I actually ended up in Nagano that night after taking a local train for three hours. That was unfortunate, but also beautiful, interesting and I stayed with friends that night. (I don't know why I didn't just pull out my bivy sack behind the wall at the big parking lot. I thought about it, but.... I did it later in other places. No problem. In another video, I even saw the exact spot in the Tsumago parking lot I was thinking about. Guy locked his bicycle up there. )
Tip on rain gear in Japan. I'm an average Western male, 173cm, 77 kg. I was just in Japan sailing and bought some rain gear. In the U.S. I"m "L" in Japan I"m XXL, the arms are a little short but completely okay. If you are taller than me you'll have trouble finding a jacket and rain pants. XXL was available everywhere. I bought plastic gear, but it's durable, comfortable and dry. (Would've liked more pockets.) It's what the fishermen wear. Ponchos of course are everywhere and terrific in the rain, especially if it's a bit chilly. If it's windy tie a belt , rope or string around your waist.
Thanks for your sharing your great experiences! I hope to hike in Yakushima sometime soon :)
Yakushima is wonderful: The hostel in the port is a wonderful place. (屋久島シェアホステルみなと) If you plan to hike to Jomon Shogi (I turned around right after the building with the bathrooms) expect more rain than you've ever seen in your life. It is worth doing just for this experience. I think it rains in the mountains almost every day. Along the coast, it's more like the rest of Japan. If you go past Shiratani Unsui Gorge be prepared for rain. I wear my Goretex jacket when it might rain, I wear plastic when it is raining. I've got an inexpensive Japanese rain jacket and pants fishermen wear and love it. I think I'd wear this plus have a poncho. Bring a few super large trash bags to share with other people (to use as ponchos and in case you get stuck overnight you can sleep in one. I've never been caught out without my sleeping bag and bivy, but being prepared is just good practice. Many more times I've helped someone else out. "Here, wear this garbage bag!" Friends I met on the hike spent the night in the bare concrete hut in Shiratani. No gear. They shivered all night.)
When it starts raining, It gets really cold. Your camera equipment will get soaked, make sure it can take it. What I love are my Sealskinz socks. I've got ones that go up to my knee. My feet are always dry and warm. You will want the tall ones because if water can get down inside them, they completely stop working. After I turned around before Jomon Shogi almost all the rest of the hiking we did was in 25 cm of water. The narrow gauge rail tracks were all under water. My son arrived the next day and we rented a car to drive around the island. We visited a waterfall, okay nice waterfall, there was another one, really? I don't know. It was an even prettier waterfall. They just kept getting better. When you're on any beach if you think you feel heat touch the sand and rocks. I found a few spots heated up by volcanism. .. Kameseno point in the south west had bottles washed in from China, Korea, some fishing gear. There's an offshore 'island' just rocks, that during the war U.S. pilots attacked thinking it was a destroyer. Sorry to be such a busy body.@@MarisAroundtheWorld
i enjoy sofa travelling with you tubers around japan,i like seeing tokyo but prefer seeing these parts of japan.
Sofa traveling, that’s wonderful! Thank you for joining the journey, lots more to come ☺️
Lovely video❤
Glad you liked it!!
From India 🇮🇳 our tribal village too during rainy season is quite cool n rain fill streams ranning torrentially, but though the forest are no more, so the rain cool is mudy now adays, thank you for trial journey, it's Great, I love ❤ them. Hey, lady didn't u encounter leechs, also u didn't say of which month of summer was u making expedition.I enjoy your video, it's so wanting to go out too.
I'll go here next time
Enjoy!
Wonderful video! I loved seeing the scenery and the unique buildings. Sorry you had to walk in a downpour.
The scenery made the rainy weather worth it :)
New subscriber here, I enjoyed watching your video, beautiful place and hopefully I can also do that trail when I get to visit Nakasendo❣️😊❣️
Thank you for subscribing! Can't wait to share more adventures :)
Loved your video!
Too much rain though!
So glad you enjoyed! But I agree, too much rain 😂
I like hiking or walking in the rain actually its give you a little bit drama. just my opinion thanks for sharing your experience
Great trail!
Agreed! 🥾🥾
I love to walk this in the rain
My shoes sure got soaked, but it was a beautiful time. Slippery though!