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Nakasendo (Kisoji section)

Nakasendo (Kisoji section) — the trail guide

The Nakasendo (Kisoji section) is a 84.2 km trek in Japan, typically walked in 4–6 days, with 2019 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (24 m of gain per km, topping out at 1228 m).

The Kisoji is the mountain heart of the old Nakasendo, the Edo-period highway between Kyoto and Tokyo, running about 84 km down Nagano's Kiso Valley from the Shinano border near Niekawa to the Mino border past Magome. Walkers come for the immaculately preserved post towns — Narai, Tsumago and Magome — and the cedar-lined cobbled trail over the Torii and Magome passes. The parallel JR Chūō Main Line shadows the whole valley, so you can walk town to town and train back between stages.

Quick facts

Distance84.2 km
Total ascent2019 m
Typical duration4–6 days
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness24 m gain per km
High point1228 m
CountryJapan
RegionJapan

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 408 m · high point 1228 m · 2019 m total ascent over 84.2 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 833 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan4°-4°74 mm
Feb5°-4°80 mm
Mar10°-1°128 mm
Apr16°4°155 mm
May21°9°153 mm
Jun23°14°187 mm
Jul27°19°231 mm
Aug28°20°159 mm
Sep24°16°174 mm
Oct18°9°175 mm
Nov13°3°85 mm
Dec7°-2°73 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Nakasendo (Kisoji section)?

The Nakasendo (Kisoji section) is 84.2 km, and most hikers complete it in 4–6 days. Total elevation gain is 2019 m.

How difficult is the Nakasendo (Kisoji section)?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 24 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1228 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the Nakasendo (Kisoji section) is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the Nakasendo (Kisoji section)?

In Japan. The route starts near 36.038, 137.883 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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