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Guided Tour
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.
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Trip level:
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Duration:
6 nights & 7 days or 5 nights & 6days
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From USD:
USD 2460~
Highlights
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An ancient alpine thru-hike across historic mountain passes and Mt.Yake
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A true taste of Japan: nature, culture, and onsen combined
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Flexible support for gear and itinerary —challenge at your own pace
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Peace of mind and deeper insights with expert local guides
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A sensory journey through Onsen, local flavors, and culture
Shinpi Trail Through-Hike starts from the city of Matsumoto (Takayama), involves crossing three mountain passes, walking by old paths including mountain trails where people in Shinshu and Hida used to come and go before the mortalization. Crossing mountain passes 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. Through the trail, you may appreciate the attitude of the people in Matsumoto and Takayama to live in awe and reverence of nature, Kamikochi, one of Japan's leading mountain scenic spots, hot springs that are the blessings of the volcano, and a culinary culture that makes the most of the region's natural bounty. This Shinpi Trail Through-Hike can be a deep experience to slowly savor Shinshu and Hida during the 117 km walking trip over 6 or 7 days, and be a highlight of your trip to experience authentic Japan. This tour is for Experienced Adventurers.
What is included
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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.)
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Local guide
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Meals during this trip (One free drink for dinner)
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Insurance fee
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Porter service
What is not included
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×
Second and subsequent alcoholic drink for dinner
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×
Snacks
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×
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
Matsumoto → Shimashima
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 to Shimashima, the gateway of the Japan Alps.
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Walking distance
22km
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Max/Min elevation
780m/754m
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Walking time
8 hours
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Accommodation
Guesthouse or Hut
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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 the Shinpi Trail with an Max/Min elevation of 1,400m, but a pleasant, quiet trail alongside a clear stream.
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Walking distance
19km
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Max/Min elevation
2040m/691m
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Walking time
9 hours
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Accommodation
Hut
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Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Tokugo Pass → Kamikochi
Descending from Tokugo Pass with an Max/Min elevation 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.
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Walking distance
6km+
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Max/Min elevation
2140m/1500m
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Walking time
2 hours 30 mins
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Accommodation
Hotel or Hut
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Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Kamikochi → Nakao Pass → Nakao Kogen
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.
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Walking distance
9.8km
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Max/Min elevation
2133m/1083m
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Walking time
7 hours
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Accommodation
Onsen-inn or Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)
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Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Nakao Kogen → Hirayu Onsen
This section involves walking around the Okuhida Onsengo, which boasts the highest number of open-air baths in Japan and has several sources of onsen water. We drop by onsens or footbaths to relieve the fatigue of crossing the mountain passes. Then we head to Hirayu Onsen while exploring Okuhida’s sansho (Japanese pepper) and food culture on the way.
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Walking distance
16.1km
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Max/Min elevation
1265m/783m
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Walking time
4 hours 30 mins (including bus ride)
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Accommodation
Onsen-inn or Hotel
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Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Hirayu Onsen → Hirayu Pass → Nyukawa
This is an ancient trail (mostly paved section) once used by people in Takayama as a hot spring cure during the off-season for farming. We walk around several villages that live in harmony with the mountains, and descend gradually to Nyukawa, with its rich countryside.
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Walking distance
22km
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Max/Min elevation
1684m/785m
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Walking time
6 hours 30 mins (including bus ride)
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Accommodation
Private villa or Onsen-inn
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Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Nyukawa→ Takayama
The route heads towards the city with views of the satoyama landscape spreading on Nyugawa along the Kohachiga Stream. Entering Takayama, we meet a world-class tourist destination with a traditional townscape. In the evening, a dinner featuring local products from Takayama is served.
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Walking distance
22km
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Max/Min elevation
785m/540m
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Walking time
8 hours 30 mins
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Accommodation
Hotel or Machiya (Traditional wooden townhouse)
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Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
※Customizations available: itinerary adjustments (shorten/extend), add-on cultural experiences.
※For Trails Experts: DAY 2 & 3 can be combined, making it a 5-night & 6-day tour.
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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.
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Trip level:
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Duration:
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From USD:
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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.
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Trip level:
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Duration:
3 nights & 4 days or 4 nights 5 days
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From USD:
USD 1760~
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.
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Trip level:
-
Duration:
3 nights & 4 days
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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.
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Trip level:
-
Duration:
1 nights & 2 days or 2 night & 3 days
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From USD:
USD 980~