Japan's Ancient Salt Road Walk 

Approximately 30 minutes of walking (1km)

Travel by bullet train to Itoigawa, a modest coastal city on the Sea of Japan, just two hours from Tokyo Station. Once a key trading port on the historic Salt Road, in the shadow of the Japanese Northern Alps. Meet your guide and group at the station at 11:00am for a short walk to the trail's official starting point, where you'll learn about its rich history and significance. After a visit to a local soy sauce and miso brewery, enjoy a fresh seafood lunch before a pleasant coastal drive to a bustling fish market and nearby shrine. Check into your atmospheric accommodation, relax in the hot springs, and later visit a wasabi farm before a memorable welcome dinner to kick off the journey.

Approximately 5 hours of walking (11.5km)

After breakfast, transfer to the Fossa Magna Museum for insights into the region’s unique geology and its connection to the Salt Road. The day’s walk begins at the museum, starting on quiet paved roads with minimal elevation, offering glimpses of daily countryside life and points of cultural interest. Lunch is a traditional regional dish enjoyed picnic-style along the trail. In the afternoon, transition to forested paths for a scenic climb and descent into the Nechi Valley, with panoramic mountain views. A detour to Fossa Magna Park reveals an exposed fault line, followed by a visit to a local sake brewery for a tasting. A short transfer brings us to our accommodation, where hot spring baths and a kaiseki feast round out the day.

Approximately 7 hours of walking (9km)

Start the day with a short ride to the Nechi Valley, continuing deeper to the Yamaguchi settlement and Salt Trail Museum, where the day’s hike begins. The museum’s collection of artifacts from the ‘bokka’ porters vividly illustrates life along the historic Salt Road. The trail ascends steeply to Oami Pass, one of the most challenging sections of the route, offering stunning views and rich historical insights along the way. Crossing from Niigata into Nagano beneath a beech forest canopy, the descent follows a steady mountain stream with shallow crossings, leading to the remote Oami settlement, once a key checkpoint on the trail. If fortunate, we may share locally foraged herbal tea with a family dedicated to preserving traditions. A brief drive returns us to the hotel for a rejuvenating soak in the thermal springs.

Approximately 7.5 hours of walking (9.5km)

A short 10-minute transfer brings us to a hot spring run by a lively century-old former monk, marking the start of another rewarding day in Otari. The route includes two gorgeous trail sections, mostly through quiet forests that often feature wildlife encounters. The morning takes us across the western hillside before descending to the valley floor for lunch at a Roadside Station near the convergence of old and new Salt Road branches. In the afternoon, we explore a less-traveled trail branch, passing cedar forests and native flora like maple and wisteria, with stops at historical landmarks. The day ends at a community-maintained shrine before transferring to a cozy family-run lodge in Tsugaike, known for its fusion dinner of homegrown vegetables and rice.

Approximately 8 hours of walking (13km)

After a hearty breakfast, we'll catch a bus to a small settlement and hike to a stone border god that’s said to ward off misfortune. A short descent leads to a hillside village with sprawling rice fields, gardens, and panoramic views. The trail continues through a forest to a path used in the annual Salt Road Festival, passing villages and relics. A brief detour takes us to a 200-year-old home for a countryside feast prepared by a host with fascinating stories and family treasures. After lunch, we’ll visit two historic inns on the Shionomichi and if the weather cooperates, we'll wrap the day with breathtaking views of the snow-capped Northern Alps.

Approximately 5 hours of walking (7km)

Today takes us high into the mountains, leaving the Salt Road behind as we ascend by gondola and ropeway to the Tsugaike Nature Park. Starting from our hotel, the 5km journey lifts us to over 1,800m, offering ever-changing views within Chubu Sangaku National Park. The towering Ushiro-Tateyama Range provides exceptional panoramas and a profound sense of scale. We’ll explore the park’s trails, from boardwalks to rugged paths with a few steep climbs. After enjoying bento lunches at a scenic deck, we’ll visit the Visitor’s Centre before descending to Hakuba. A café stop for coffee and views conclude the day’s adventure, followed by a relaxed dinner in town. 

*Due to the operating dates of the Tsugaike Nature Park, May and November departures will visit the Iwatake Mountain Resort instead. 

Approximately 5 hours of walking (10km)

We’ll drive past Hakuba’s built-up areas to start the walk, making a brief detour to the shaded springs of the Himekawa River. From there, we climb through towering cedars to the last Salt Road pass. Descending to Lake Aoki, we’ll spot 33 Kannon statues symbolising a distant pilgrimage. After enjoying refreshments at a lakeside café, we’ll visit the nearby Lake Nakatsuna and its scenic shrine, with Black Kites adding to the ambiance. Following some sun and lake views, we’ll return to the hotel for rest before dinner.

Approximately 4 hours of walking (12km)

Our final walking day unfolds in Omachi, a flat, urban area near Matsumoto. We’ll stroll along peaceful Lake Kizaki, stopping for photos, refreshments, and possibly a swim at a pier. Crossing to the eastern shore reveals fresh Alpine views as we continue along quiet farm roads, observing local agriculture and chatting with farmers. A hillside climb rewards with sweeping views over the valley, passing Sakura trees, orchards, and beautiful abodes. Our walk ends at an overlook, celebrating our journey’s progress.

After lunch in an Edo-period restaurant, we’ll visit a local washi craftsman to learn and try traditional papermaking. The day concludes at a tranquil retreat in Azumino, perfect for our final night.

Our final day begins with a sumptuous breakfast and time to relax at the lodge while preparing for onward journeys. We bid farewell to our serene retreat in Azumino and transfer by private coach to Matsumoto, a vibrant city nestled in a broad valley framed by majestic mountains and marking the terminus of the historic Salt Road. Our journey culminates with a visit to Matsumoto Castle, an iconic symbol of power and control over the salt trade. This 400-year-old masterpiece, one of Japan’s most celebrated castles, stands proudly above its moat, with the Alps as a stunning backdrop. Touring the grounds and interiors is a reflective, fitting end to our adventure.

We’ll savour a final feast together, swapping stories and experiences for the last time this trip. The tour officially concludes after lunch, allowing ample time for onward connections and further adventures.