We’re in Japan after a seamless flight and multi train trips to arrive at the first village on our trail walk – Magome.  We thought we’d try something different and Japan has a wealth of native plants that have found their way into our NZ gardens.  It will be interesting to see just what we find.  So our theory was to try a small section of the Nakasendo Trail on our way home to NZ.

The Nakasendo is a long distance trail that linked the Imperial capital of Kyoto with the political capital Edo (present day Tokyo) During the period 1603-1868.  There were 69 post towns that linked the cities with a total distance of 533km.  There were five such routes and the Nakasendo Trail was the most central mountainous route.  We are going to be walking through the Kiso Valley at between 400-900m for the next four days and staying in traditional villages. I hope my back enjoys Futons…

Fire destroyed Magome in 1895 and it was rebuilt.  It has been kept the same as it was to this day.  The village has a magnificent view of Mt Ena, 2,910m and is set in the lush Kiso Valley.