Japan hiking trip: April 11-18, 2027
Into the Wild is a chance to take a moment for you. To dive deep into your wild woman self. To rediscover the wonder and beauty of both earth’s nature and YOUR nature. To experience Japan’s culture and gorgeousness with other women.
Come unite in for a life changing multi day hike in JAPAN!
Step into a quieter side of Japan on this eight-day journey along the Nakasendō Trail, beginning and ending in Kyoto from April 11–18. This is a trip built for women who want more than sightseeing—those drawn to movement, fresh air, and the kind of experiences you can’t replicate from a train window. You’ll walk between preserved post towns, stay in family-run inns, share meals you didn’t have to plan, and spend your days moving through forests, valleys, and villages that still feel connected to the past. It’s active but not rushed, and designed to appeal equally to adventure seekers and those who simply enjoy a good, quiet hike. By the time you return to Kyoto, you’ll feel not just well-traveled, but genuinely connected to the place—and to the people you experienced it with. This retreat is SPECIFICALLY A HIKING RETREAT, not too challenging at all, built for moderate walkers and hikers, and designed to help you rediscover you through hiking, beautiful scenery and bonding.
If you’re a woman into hiking- this trip is for you. Join Taryn in Japan for this very unique and wonderful trip!
Cost for Japan Hiking is $3200 per person for 7 nights. All lodging, food, and transportation during the retreat is included, and ALL rooms are shared occupancy. You just need to get yourself to Kyoto, Japan, and back. This trip is perfect to pair with more time built on the front or end in different Japanese cities!
Who:
Women. Hikers, or walkers- or women who want to learn to hike. From anywhere. Women with a passion for the outdoors or culture- or both. Women who want to learn and discover. Women who want to uncover or rediscover themselves.
Why:
When is the last time you enjoyed more than a week abroad for yourself? To develop the inner you, your skills and to have adventures you deserve?
NOTE: THIS PARTICULAR INTO THE WILD IS ALL ABOUT HIKING and exploring via train, and staying in local dwellings between hikes. THERE WILL BE LOTS OF WALKING, INCREDIBLE SIGHTS AND EXPERIENCES. There will be so many unique and real experiences on this trip with locals, and you can rest several nights in hot springs/onsens!
When:
April 11-18, 2027. You DO NOT want to miss this.
IMPORTANT NOTE: tHIS RETREAT WILL INVOLVE moderate hikes. wE ENCOURAGE ALL WHO ATTEND TO BE READY FOR HIKES OF MODERATE DIFFICULTY with walking up and down repeatedly- paths can be stone or pavement or dirt. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO STRIVE for and GET TO A MODERATE HIKE LEVEL BY MID February 2027 SO YOU CAN BE READY TO HIKE WITH THE GROUP. iF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS, JUST ASK! wendy@itwadventure.com
Additionally, we will be moving from one lodging to another almost every day. You can opt to carry everything in a backpack, or use a luggage forwarding service (very cool, not too expensive- but not included. However we will teach you how to arrange it!).
Due to the nature of retreat planning, refunds are not available. If you can no longer attend after purchasing, you can sell your spot to another individual, which usually ends up being no problem since most retreats sell out.
Travel insurance is now required on all trips with Into the Wild Adventure. You can check out and purchase it at Worldnomads.com to satisfy this requirement.
A reminder: your expenses are all paid, except your flights to and from Japan from your home. We cover lodging, activities, food, transport, etc!
THIS IS THE PLANNED ITINERARY:
April 11th: Arrive in Kyoto. Please arrive anytime from 10am-2pm for the best experience. You’ll check into the hotel after 2pm, meet the group, and head off to explore the city and enjoy your first group dinner and a cultural show.
April 12th: Explore Kyoto! After a lovely hotel breakfast, we will head out to see the Golden Pavilion. Afterwards we will grab lunch and head back to explore the main market of Kyoto, followed by a walking tour of the Geisha district, Gion! Dinner, then rest.
April 13th: Day 1 of hike: Hike from Magome to Tsumago
Today we will enjoy a hotel breakfast, then head out for Nakatsugawa to begin our hike! Once there we take a local bus to Magma.
We supply train tickets for your journey starting from Kyōto or Tōkyō to Nakatsugawa, including a ride on the world-famous bullet train to Nagoya. At Nakatsugawa, you board a local bus for the short journey to Magome. You will cross the Magome-tōge Pass en route to Tsumago, one of the most beautifully preserved and atmospheric post towns along the Nakasendō. Once there, settle in for the night at a family-run minshuku in Tsumago, where a thoughtfully prepared Japanese dinner and breakfast are included. In the evening, take a quiet walk through the lantern-lit streets, slipping into the yukata provided by your inn for a lovely memorable experience.
Distance: 5.2 mi
Elevation gain: 1,100 ft of ascent and 1,400 ft of descent
Elapsed walking time: 3-4 hours
April 14th Day 2: Hike from Tsumago to Nojiri
Our longest stretch of the trail is today, and it offers a rewarding and varied walk from Tsumago to Nojiri. Along the way, the path winds through quiet valleys, bamboo groves, and stands of Japanese cedar, showcasing some of the most untouched scenery on the journey. From there, we will hop on a train to Kiso-Fukushima, a historic little town that once thrived as an important hub in the Kiso Valley. In the evening, we’ll unwind with a traditional kaiseki dinner and a soak in the hot springs.
Distance: 11.4 mi
Elevation gain: 2,350 ft of ascent and 2,100 ft of descent
Elapsed walking time: ~6 hours
April 15th Day 3: Hike from Yabuhara to Narai and then to Kiso-Hirasawa
After breakfast we will start with a short train ride from Kiso-Fukushima to Yabuhara, where our walk begins over the Torii-tōge Pass en route to Narai. We’ll take some time to explore this atmospheric village before continuing on to the town of Kiso-Hirasawa. We’ll have time to browse the local shops before continuing by train to the castle town of Matsumoto, where we’ll spend the night. A home-cooked Japanese dinner and breakfast will be included during your stay.
Distance: 5.4 mi
Elevation gain: 1,200 ft of ascent and 900 ft of descent
Elapsed walking time: ~4 hours
April 16th Day 4: A Sightseeing day in Matsumoto, and then transfer to Karuizawa
After another delicious and very authentic breakfast, spend some time exploring Matsumoto at your own pace, with a visit to Matsumoto Castle! This castle is one of the few remaining castles in Japan that has preserved both its original interior and exterior. When we’re ready, we’ll continue by train to our final stop, either Karuizawa or Komoro, for our last overnight stay. Both towns offer charming inns rich in character, along with traditional Japanese baths. Settle in and enjoy a thoughtfully prepared dinner highlighting local ingredients.
Distance: Just tourist walking, nothing big!
April 17th Day 5: Hike from Karuizawa to Yokokawa, then transfer back to Kyoto
After breakfast, set out on our final walk along the Nakasendō, traveling from Karuizawa to Yokokawa. This trail leads over the Usui-tōge Pass before descending gently through one of the most scenic stretches of the route. From Yokokawa, we will board a train and continue on to Kyoto, bringing our hiking to a close. In Kyoto, we will head back to our hotel, check in, and have a group dinner and free time to explore.
Distance: 10 mi
Elevation gain: 1,300 ft of ascent and 2,800 ft of descent
Elapsed walking time: ~5-6 hours
April 18th: Last day- today you will have breakfast at the hotel, and then we will head off to see Fushimi Inari Shrine. This activity will be about 3 hours, and then we will head back to the hotel, check out, and the trip is officially over!
