Heartland Japan Launches "Nakasendo & Ontake Ancient Trail Premium Walking Tour 2026" Exploring the History of Kiso Valley and Faith in Mt. Ontake

Heartland Japan (operated by Liberta Inc., headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, represented by Keijiro Sawano), a pioneer in adventure travel in Japan, will begin accepting applications on July 7, 2026, for a 2-day, 1-night walking tour (operating November 23 (Mon, holiday) - 24 (Tue), 2026) that explores two trails in the Kiso Valley, Nagano Prefecture: the "Nakasendo (Nakasendo)" trail, once traversed by travelers from Edo, and the "Ontake Ancient Trail (Ontake Kodo)", a sacred mountain pilgrimage route walked by ascetics since ancient times.

Tour Special Page: https://heartlandjapan.jp/timeless_trails_of_kisovalley_2026/

Narai-juku, the 34th post town on the Nakasendo from the Edo side (left), and the sacred mountain pilgrimage route, Ontake Kodo (right).

This tour is a genuine walking tour where participants will journey along two of Kiso Valley's unique trails, experiencing the continuity of history. Along the way, participants will not only witness the "Bunka-Bunsei Fuuzoku Emaki Gyoretsu (Bride's Procession)" in Tsumago-juku, held once a year, up close with explanations from local guides, but also aim for a form of "responsible tourism" that allows participants to savor the spirit and culture of Kiso with all five senses through deep interaction with people who preserve traditional culture.

Heartland Japan delivers a one-of-a-kind journey, incorporating special experiences that are extremely difficult to access through ordinary individual travel.

Three Highlights of This Tour

1. Two Trails with Distinct Atmospheres

Tsumago-juku, the 42nd post town on the Nakasendo.

On the first day, participants will walk the Nakasendo, exploring post towns that have miraculously survived to this day. Along with the sound of the wind blowing through the streets and the footsteps echoing on the stone pavement, you can feel the lives of the travelers who passed through here in the Edo period.

On the second day, the Ontake Ancient Trail leads through dense primeval forests, moss-covered spirit stones, and roaring waterfalls. You can experience the energy emanating from raw nature, as if approaching the "realm of the gods" of mountain worship, which ascetics in white robes have aimed for since ancient times.

2. Up Close with the Nangiso Town Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property "Bunka-Bunsei Fuuzoku Emaki Gyoretsu"

Witness the "Bride's Procession," which can no longer be seen today, up close. Liberta is also committed to preserving local traditions through tourism.

The "Bunka-Bunsei Fuuzoku Emaki Gyoretsu" of Nangiso Town, preserved by residents for over half a century, is also a highlight of this journey. The procession of about 100 people, including a bride on a Kiso horse and samurai and couriers in period costumes, parading through the post town, makes it feel like a time slip to the Edo period.

Local guides will carefully explain the historical background and the thoughts of the people who connect these traditions. This tour offers a special experience that satisfies intellectual curiosity, going beyond the fleeting excitement of "encountering a spectacular procession."

3. Warm Interaction with "People" Connecting Kiso's Life and Culture to the Next Generation

"Kijishi" (woodworkers) who carve wooden crafts such as bowls and trays using a potter's wheel.

Participants will visit workshops in the "Kijishi no Sato" (village of woodworkers) who preserve traditional potter's wheel crafts and engage in dialogue with people involved in forest conservation. At their accommodation, they will interact with members of the "Kiso Odori Hozonkai" (Kiso Dance Preservation Society). Furthermore, there will be time to converse while enjoying local cuisine and sake.

Over the two days, participants will meet people who love Kiso and deeply experience their way of life.

Tour Outline

Tour Name: Nakasendo & Ontake Ancient Trail Walking Tour 2026 - Two Days to Touch the Hearts of Edo Travelers

Tour Period: November 23 (Mon, holiday) - November 24 (Tue), 2026 [2 days, 1 night]

Tour Price: 169,000 yen per person (tax included)

Minimum Number of Participants: 4 (Maximum 18)

Meeting/Departure Point: JR Nakatsugawa Station / JR Kiso-Fukushima Station

Application Deadline: October 20, 2026 (Tue) *Ends when capacity is reached.

Details and Product Page: https://heartlandjapan.jp/timeless_trails_of_kisovalley_2026/

Application and Inquiries

Liberta Inc. Tourism Business Division (Travel Brand: Heartland Japan)

Email: [email protected]

*Please include "[Nakasendo & Ontake Ancient Trail 2026] Application" in the subject line. A representative will contact you.

Comment from Tour Official Guide, Tomofumi Sato

Heartland Japan Official Guide, Tomofumi Sato.

In Kiso, pristine natural scenery and beautiful, everyday life have miraculously endured for hundreds of years. Stepping onto the ancient trail awakens the senses, and encountering the thoughts of the people who protect the region enriches one's own sensibilities. Perhaps it is because many people, not only from Japan but also from abroad, visit Kiso repeatedly, finding "fundamental human richness" here.

As a local guide, I am eagerly awaiting the day I can walk this land with you.

*The appeal and highlights of this tour, as described by Guide Sato, are published today on our official note. Please click the link below to view.

[Special Contribution] Step Onto the Trail and Awaken Your Senses - The Appeal of a Journey Along the Timeless Nakasendo and Ontake Ancient Trail, as Told by Heartland Japan Official Guide Tomofumi Sato.

About Liberta Inc.

As a partner supporting community development through tourism, we specialize in a comprehensive support system that refines latent regional resources into unique values, from tour creation and guide training to multilingual support and digital promotion. We have collaborated with over 100 local governments and DMOs nationwide and have shaped diverse travel experiences such as "Adventure Tourism," "Sustainable Tourism," "Community-Based Tourism," "Disaster Prevention Tourism," and "Preservation of Traditional Culture through Tourism."

We work as a supportive partner, from strategic design to on-site implementation, on how to connect tourism with the social issues facing regions, and we are working to solve inbound tourism challenges.

Representative Director: Keijiro Sawano

Location: 15-206 Minamicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Established: June 2014

Registration: Tokyo Governor Registered Travel Agency No. 2-7699

Affiliation: Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Regular Member

ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association) Business Member

Business Activities:

Tourism business attracting Western and European travelers to regional areas (planning and sales of tours in Japan for overseas markets)

https://heartlandjapan.com/

Regional development business for tour creation, guide training, and overseas PR (domestic destination development)

https://heartlandjapan.jp/

IT business for system development and creative production (promoting regional residency for creators)

https://si.liberta-inc.com/

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