authentic long-distance trail

Guided Tour

Shinpi Trail Guided Tour for Experienced Adventurers

From Shinshu to Hida – An Authentic Mountain Journey Across Historic Passes

This tour follows ancient mountain routes connecting Shinshu and Hida, crossing two iconic passes—Tokugo and Nakao—on a full-scale alpine traverse. You hike through clear streams, volcanic ridges, and steep trails, while immersing in the cultural and natural richness of Matsumoto and Takayama. Led by a local expert, this journey offers a deep experience of mountain worship, onsen and regional traditions woven into the Northern Japanese Alps.

Trip level:
Duration:

3 nights & 4 days or 4 nights 5 days
From USD:

USD 1760~

Highlights

A dynamic route connecting castle towns and sacred alpine forests
Shinpi Trail’s steepest hikes and the most rewarding traverses
Overnight stay in a secluded mountain hut under the stars
Entry into the protected, guided-only Goshikigahara Forest
A cross-cultural feast of food, history, and rural life in Shinshu and Hida

This tour takes you along ancient trails that were once used by the people in Shinshu and Hida before the motorization, to cross two mountain passes in the Japan Alps - Tokugo Pass and Nakao Pass, which are the highlights of Shinpi Trail. Mountain pass crossing sections offer you challenging hikes with an elevation difference of more than 1,000m. The trail over Tokugo Pass follows a clear stream flowing from the beautiful Japan Alps, while the one over Nakao Pass offers a close-up view of the spectacular figure of Mt.Yake, an active volcano. Along the trail, you may experience diverse highlights such as the attitude of the people in Matsumoto and Takayama living in awe and reverence of nature, Kamikochi as one of Japan's leading mountain scenic spots, onsens that are the blessings of the volcano, and a culinary culture that makes the most of the region's natural bounty. Although this tour is cut some parts from the thru-hike guided tour, it still covers the highlights of Shinpi Trail. This tour is for experienced adventurers.

What is included

Accommodation (basically 2 people per room. Tokugo Pass Hut provides only shared rooms. Tour costs vary depending on the grade and contents of accommodation facilities.)
Local guide
Meals during this trip (One free drink for dinner)
Insurance fee
Porter service

What is not included

×
Second and subsequent alcoholic drink for dinner
×
Snacks
×
Rental fee of gear

Itinerary

Tour itineraries are subject to change. We will inform you of any amendments as soon as we become aware of them.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Day 1

Matsumoto

Starting at Matsumoto Castle, we walk to Alps Park and admire the great view from there. Passing through a town where you can feel the lifestyle and the culture of Matsumoto, we continue to walk along the Azusa River flowing from the Japan Alps. We fully enjoy Matsumoto by experiencing Matsumoto's candy culture and tasting sake at Daishinshu Brewery.

Walking distance

5~8 km
Max/Min elevation

770m/594m
Walking time

3 hours
Accommodation

Hotel
Meals

Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

Shimashima → Tokugo Pass

Our walk starts from Shimashima to Tokugo Pass through an ancient trail. This is the most challenging section of Shinpi Trail with an elevation gain of 1,400m, but a pleasant, quiet trail alongside a clear stream.

Walking distance

19km
Max/Min elevation

2040m/691m
Walking time

9 hours
Accommodation

Hut
Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Tokugo Pass → Kamikochi

Descending from Tokugo Pass with an elevation gain of about 600 m with views of the spectacular Hotaka mountain range, we head to Kamikochi Myojin, the former gateway to Kamikochi. In the afternoon, we spend time freely exploring around the Myojin ~ Kappa Bridge.

Walking distance

6km +
Max/Min elevation

2140m/1500m
Walking time

2 hours 30 mins
Accommodation

Hotel or Hut
Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Kamikochi → Nakao Pass → Nakao Kogen (Okuhida Onsengo)

This section crosses Nakao Pass, located in the middle between Shinshu and Hida, and involves a challenging hike with spectacular views of the active volcano Mt.Yake and the Hotaka mountain range, where some ladders and chains are partly set. We accend 600 m to Nakao Pass.Hiking to the peak of Mt. Yake (1.5 hr round trip) is optional. Then we descend from Nakao Pass to Nakao Kogen through serene forests, which takes approximately 2 hours, and stay overnight at Shinhotaka Onsen.

Walking distance

9.8km
Max/Min elevation

2133m/1083m
Walking time

7 hours
Accommodation

Onsen-inn or Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)
Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Okuhida Onsengo → Goshikigahara → Takayama

After relaxing at a onsen inn, we enjoy a morning short walk in the limited-access area of Goshikigahara Forest, which can only be entered with a guided tour. We visit the stunning Nunobiki Waterfall. Having lunch in Nyukawa or Hirayu, we head to Takayama. We reach the end of the Shipi Trail at the trailhead on the Hida side and take a guided walk through the old town. In the evening, a dinner featuring local products from Takayama is served.

Walking distance

5~7km
Max/Min elevation

1600m/1350m
Walking time

3 hours
Accommodation

Hotel or Machiya (Traditional wooden townhouse)
Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

※Customizations available: itinerary adjustments (shorten/extend), add-on cultural experiences. ※For Trails Experts: Days 2 & 3 can be combined, making it a 3-night, 4-day tour.

You might also be interested in

Shinpi Trail Through-Hike Guided Tour for Experienced Adventurer

A 117km long trail connecting Matsumoto in Shinshu with Takayama in Hida.

This is an authentic thru-hike tour that combines the charms of culture, nature and mountain hiking, as you walk with a guide over three mountain passes (Tokugo Pass, Nakao Pass, and Hirayu Pass) that people used to travel through before the advent of cars. It's a 6-7 day journey where you can encounter the "original landscape of Japan, a country that has lived in harmony with mountains," while savoring the great nature of the Alps, vestiges of mountain worship, Onsen culture and local cuisine.

Trip level:
Duration:

6 nights & 7 days or 5 nights & 6days
From USD:

USD 2460~

Shinpi Trail Guided Tour for Casual Hikers

A Gentle Trail Linking Onsen and Culture — Matsumoto to Kamikochi, Mt. Norikura, and Takayama

This tour offers to hike from Matsumoto to Takayama through the scenic Japanese Alps. You walk 5–10 km per day while exploring Kamikochi, Mt. Norikura, and Onsen towns like Shirahone and Okuhida. Local guides share insights into regional culture, cuisine, and Onsen traditions. You can complete with a unique bathing experience led by an Onsen sommelier.

Trip level:
Duration:

4 nights & 5 days
From USD:

USD 1970~

Shinpi Trail Guided Tour for Casual Hikers

[Shortened version]
A Gentle Trail Linking Onsen and Culture — Matsumoto to Kamikochi, Mt. Norikura, and Takayama

This 3-night & 4-day tour offers a shortened version of Shinpi Trail Guided Tour for Casual Hikers for 5 days, taking you from Matsumoto through Kamikochi and Mt. Norikura to Takayama. Covering 5–10 km per day, it’s a relaxed pace ideal for beginners and mature hikers, with time to fully enjoy famous sights, Onsen, and local culture.

Trip level:
Duration:

3 nights & 4 days
From USD:

USD 1685~

Shinpi Trail Guided Tour for Experienced Adventurers

A 47 km Journey over a Historic Trail on foot — Matsumoto to Kamikochi

This guided tour for experienced adventurers involves Sections 1 and 2 of Shinpi Trail. You experience what it was like to walk from Matsumoto to Kamikochi before the mobilization. The route to Tokugo Pass, which leads to Kamikochi, is steep with an elevation difference of 1400 m, but it is a beautiful mountain trail along clear streams.

Trip level:
Duration:

1 nights & 2 days or 2 night & 3 days
From USD:

USD 980~