Experience of Samurai's Legacy: Trekking the Timeless Nakasendo Trail in Japan

I embarked on a trail along Nakasendo, the most legendary road in Japan.
Among the many scenic spots of Nakasendo, I trekked from Magome-juku to the roughly 9 kilometers distant Tsumago-juku, a journey of about three hours.
Through this video, let yourself be healed by the breathtaking landscapes.
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#japantravel #nakasendo #ASMR

[@Ponkichi-ns8zf]

No matter where you look in the world, you won't find beautiful scenery unique to Japan.

[@experience_japan]

I couldn't agree more! Japan's scenery has a unique beauty that's hard to match. Thanks for appreciating it! 😊🇯🇵

[@Lessax9]

CHINA

[@kattanaka5934]

Am a Japanese living in US over 40 years, I guess I'm a bit tired of living here in a big city. My heart starts racing when I see those classic (?) Japanese country side. I feel so refreshed that I keep telling myself I have to get back there even for a year or so. In my mind, I'm not Japanese nor American. So, I'm Japrican! Miss those good old Japan more than ever.

[@takauniv.6644]

I was born and raised in Tokyo, and have never lived in an area like this. But when I see this landscape, I don't know why, but it makes me feel nostalgic.

[@experience_japan]

That's really interesting to hear! Maybe the scenery resonates with some deeper part of you. Thanks for sharing your experience! 😊

[@emrld6552]

Same here.

[@EVL-xj5vc]

Ancient walk plus modern day comfort and hospitality - Japan has it all!

[@Junce23]

I love Japan country very peaceful peaple and clean area ❤❤❤🇯🇵love from Philippines 🇵🇭

[@isnan80]

Japan is my favorite country in the world and I love Japanese culture and old Japanese architecture like houses, streets and Japanese historical places and Japan's nature is very beautiful especially the Japanese countryside.... Thank you for sharing these beautiful things with us.❤

[@amc8819]

Thank you for taking us on this beautiful hike!! The scenery and the historic buildings was anazing❤

[@uxotechnician5537]

I plan to visit some of these places when I visit Japan on my 30th birthday in a little more than a year. Also I live in the country and I much prefer it to the city’s because of the scenery and quietness.

[@SonOfSteel]

First. Wow thank you for showing this. I've been depressed because me and my girlfriend broke up and what makes me happy is seeing things like Samurai culture.

[@experience_japan]

I am sorry to hear that🥲

[@SonOfSteel]

​@experience_japan that's OK and thank you. Love your channel keep it up.

[@Tokyo_Rose.]

Stunningly beautiful scenery! Thank you so much for sharing and allowing me to see this beautiful country with you! 😍

[@experience_japan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kristinawertman1140]

Thank You for sharing Japan with us. I am awed by it's utter beauty.

[@experience_japan]

Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying the beauty of Japan. 😊

[@kathleenhannigan2487]

I am glad that people from the west side of Japan come to the east side of Japan to enjoy and adventure on the hiking trails.

[@chloevalantinettv3789]

Oh my goodness! that was a very beautiful trail! As someone who loves waterfalls (being deaf, i can really feel the power of them in my body) I would end up sitting there for hours with my eyes closed, just feeling the power of them! The Studio Ghibli movie it felt like was Spirited Away/ My Neighbor Totoro, and it also reminded me of Rurouni Kenshin! The Answer to the question you asked, I have lived in both the city and countryside in America. Both have their good and downsides, like the city has decent internet, close places to shop and eat, but the down side is traffic, crowds, etc while you wont have decent internet or close shopping, places to eat in the countryside, it's very wide open, calming, no crowds, and very little traffic. Thank you for showing us this trail, and another wonderful and beautiful relaxing video! Can not wait for more!

[@thomaslau2362]

After watching numbers for the whole day... It is great to just see the lush greenery and some historic artechiture and then go shopping then end with a gd meal..... Waaaaaaaa

[@experience_japan]

Haha, I totally get it! Nothing like some nature and a good meal to unwind after a day of crunching numbers. 🌳🍱 Glad you enjoyed!

[@medeobiselita]

Great scenery.. going to nature is such a healing

[@awesome.gaming]

I feel like I was playing Japanese Skyrim in all the best ways. Thank you for this!

[@bc4yt]

Wow, that first village, 43, was so beautiful! I was expecting some peaceful RPG music to start playing and the inn keeper to ask you, "would you like to rest a while? 👉YES NO" 😃👍

[@Ilovetherain23]

Can you imagine being able to live there and walk around in such a beautiful place everyday? I would love to own one of the shops there and live out my days in such beauty and peace.

[@ah6352]

My dream is to visit Akita prefecture, I've raised Akitas for 25 years and they are such amazing and loyal animals. I want to see where they originated from. I love the history of Japan and the samurai, their way they build things is just so much different than the western world. It's just all so fascinating. Thanks for sharing your experiences 🙏

[@mvptwndw]

隣の岩手県も素晴らしく美しい所ですよ！ 盛岡市や八幡平市は雄大な岩手山が見れて綺麗です！ 小岩井農場の一本桜、上坊牧野の一本桜もバックに雄大な岩手山があって一本だけ桜が咲いていて美しいところです！！ 是非来てください！

[@davidtimmer596]

If I ever had the opportunity to go to Japan, places like this are what I'd definitely enjoy more of over the big cities like Shibuya. I vastly prefer quieter, more rural areas over the big city. Plus, there's plenty of beautiful nature to take in, so you can feel at peace if you're stressed out and need to step outside for awhile.

[@experience_japan]

Really glad to hear that you’re interested in the quieter, rural parts of Japan! They indeed offer a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle, with nature that can truly soothe the soul. Hope you get to experience it soon!

[@okaasan6990]

So pretty! I love how they preserve nature!

[@experience_japan]

Thanks! Nature's beauty is indeed priceless. Glad you appreciate it too!

[@kenconnor5147]

My wife and I enjoy all of your videos and are now planning a trip to Japan using your videos as a guide. Domo arigato!

[@experience_japan]

That's awesome! I am really happy to hear that😂😂😂 Where are you from?

[@kenconnor5147]

@@experience_japan hi we are from New Zealand, I am very excited to see Nagoya for the moon eyes car show I have a good friend who has a small art gallery on paradise lane who has invited me to visit one day his name is Takayuki sakai he is know world wide as Krazy dotty

[@user-qc5cm3yw8k]

I was born and raised in this city, Nakatsugawa. Even the local residents like me didn't notic the beauty of Magome and visit often. Thanks to the attention paid by foreign people, we realized how beautifule it is. Thank you.

[@jasonphang3596]

There is so much serenity,so much nature in prestine condition,thank you for sharing your trip! I hope to go there one day!

[@gubbish]

I took this walk years ago, glad to see it still looks the same! I remember I was too late for the return bus from Tsumago-juku, so continued walking to Nagiso where you can take the train back to Nagoya. That's another option if you miss the bus!

[@experience_japan]

Awesome! But, the distance from Tsumago-juku to Nagiso is very long, right? It must have been a tough walk.

[@gubbish]

@@experience_japan To refresh my memory, I looked on Google maps, it appears to be about 5km from Tsumago-juku to the JR station in Nagiso. So, about an hour of walking. I remember most of the way to Nagiso is still on the Nakasendo. I'm pretty sure I stopped at the same restaurant where you had zaru Udon! Mine was zaru soba.

[@RealmsofPixelation]

I would love to do this but currently suffer with kidney issues. Thanks for the beautiful tour!

[@ryokokirchhoff782]

Great video again...I live in the US now but I was born in Japan in a countryside bc my dad worked in a coal mine a long long time ago seeing this video brought me tons of memories and that cold drink is my fav when I visit my family in Sapporo!!!!! Lol! :))

[@experience_japan]

It's so heartwarming to hear that the video brought back memories for you! I'm glad you have such a special connection with that cold drink. Cheers to more memories! 😄

[@wouterbmx072]

3:29 First I thought the waterwheel was turning the wrong way, then I saw the structure on top feeding the water. Strange that they build something to direct the flow of water to the top instead of just locating the wheel in the stream underneath it

[@karimoore106]

The waterwheels and cobblestone walkways are truly priceless, and the landscape is beautiful! Boy would I love to visit!

[@louisemtoc]

So beautiful 😍 It is like something out of a Ghibli movie! Thanks for showing us this

[@koreanature]

!!! My best friend, thanks to you, I enjoyed watching... I'm proud of you for developing day by day.

[@happyaroundtheworld]

very happy to watch the country side of japan in real eyes , i was totally immersed in it

[@ArapuniWizard]

It was good to see where samurai used to stop for an icecream or to forward their luggage! Thanks. :)

[@experience_japan]

Glad you enjoyed the video! It's fascinating to explore these historical spots, isn't it?

[@ArapuniWizard]

@@experience_japan Yes! I never heard of this path before but now I want to walk some of it next time I come to Japan. I heard of the buddhist temple pilgrimage around Shikoku, which I also want to do some of. Thanks, brother. :)

[@kittykach]

Watched all your videos before (and I want more lol), but this recent one is quite different ~ I've actually always wondered where you go during your trips, after you film your transport, there are tourist spots that I would've like to see. Glad that this time you've shown us a walk around, hope to have more like these in the future! ❤

[@Kelvostrass]

One day in my life I hope to visit this country

[@ponezaw7717]

❤️My no 1 favourite holiday destination👍 Thx for sharing this beautiful place will be sure in my top list to visit when I go to Japan💁‍♂️

[@Chibi1986]

9:50 - I really want to see that same view in person. Looks amazing.

[@Ms.HarmonyJ]

My friend, you're on another amazing adventure much love be safe have fun for me

[@maryneufeld4619]

I really enjoyed this video of your beautiful Japan… thank you for taking us along with you on hike the scenery was breathtaking.

[@experience_japan]

So glad you enjoyed the video and the breathtaking scenery! It's always great to share the beauty of Japan with you all. Thanks for coming along on the hike! 🌳

[@Oyares5360]

Excellent adventure! I appreciate you filming your walk so we can enjoy the beautiful scenery 😊 Thank you 🙏🏽

[@experience_japan]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mesgood26]

Beautiful country , I hope one day to visit Japan .

[@takenotice5677]

The Japanese architecture is my absolute favourite I love everything about it, makes me love Japan a whole lot more great people very fascinating compared to us westerners Thankyou for this great video you have a new subscriber here 😊

[@experience_japan]

Thank you, my new fan 🤩

[@donnabursey1457]

Another wonderful video with nature and history! But no ice cold Coke from a vending machine! Samurai suffered... What were the water wheels used for? In America, they were often used to grind grain into meal or flour for making bread, or for power. I live in the country on a farm but I'm only a 30 minute drive from two different cities. We still have good Internet and food shopping nearby, but not the smells and crowds and traffic of a city. I love the peace of country living. Thank you for the summer walk!

[@kitakazehai]

Japanese water wheels are likewise used primarily to grind grain into flour. A water wheel in a paddy field is used to draw water into the paddy field.

[@donnabursey1457]

@@kitakazehai oh, interesting! Thank you for the information!

[@charlesa.robinson7722]

I would like to do the hike on the Nakasendo from Tokyo to Kyoto or Visa Versa. This spot is so lovely, not too crowded and lots of lovely water sounds.

[@asudegultepe]

I got really emotional while watching this video. It's so amazing how excellent Japan is at protecting its cultural heritage. It saddens me that we couldn't protect ours in my country and ruined all the historical sites with hotels and unnecessary shops. It is something you can never take back. I appreciate you filming this amazing video and also your insightful commentary.

[@Tokyo_Rose.]

I agree with you completely. I don't know what country you live in, but here in England, historical site = put up a McDonalds 😮‍💨 It is, as you say, very sad

[@asudegultepe]

@@Tokyo_Rose. I’m from Turkey and although mcdonalds is bad, we usually pour asphalt over beautiful cobblestone roads. Basically no rules for protecting the sites.

[@AngeloGaab]

I loved your tour, I was fascinated by the waterfall where Miyamoto Musashi used to hang out. I'm currently reading the manga Vagabond so that's why it got my attention lol. Greetings from Catamarca, Argentina

[@stephanienorris8911]

Beautiful place! I love living in the countryside a lot more quiet and peaceful.

[@jhid1441]

Thank you so much for such an entertaining walk. I appreciate you!

[@experience_japan]

You are so welcome!

[@rikayangu3833]

Wow this is really lovely, thanks so much for sharing.The place looks beautiful and quiet, a lovely place for anyone who prefer not to stay in crowded places. I really hope to one day visit Japan, but until i can visit, i will watch your videos and experience more of Japan thru your lenses

[@experience_japan]

Thanks for visiting

[@mysoulinletters6572]

One of the most beautiful places in Japan. I was there last March, only up to Tsumago. This brings back good memories.

[@mikka8183]

how did you plan for this trip? we can only fly to tokyo and we are trying to make a route for the trip from there. do you have any tips or steps to follow? i must say designing such a trip is not walk in the park at all :)))

[@mysoulinletters6572]

@@mikka8183 My entry point to Japan was Nagoya. From Nagoya station, I took the Chuo line, to Nakatsugawa station. From the same station, I took the train for Nagiso station. There is a bus there either to Tsumago or Magome. From Tokyo, go to Nagoya. Nagoya is an ideal starting place if you want to go to Takayama and Shirakawago too. A challenging one to plan, the schedules of trains and buses for the day are not frequent.

[@ronelldebina]

Thank you for sharing the beauty of Nakasendo trail and the architecture of the old buildings it is timeless I felt as if I was there on this tour and hike with you of where the Samurai once traveled. The landscape is amazingly beautiful!!!! Appreciate your great video. Thank you again!!!❤

[@experience_japan]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and felt like you were there with me! The Nakasendo trail really is something special. Thanks for your lovely comment and for watching! ❤️

[@junemiller7166]

I love japan! And i love the japanese people And of course the food.

[@NANICU]

I'm planning to do this walk in March next year, so your video has really helped me! Thanks for the information!

[@chloec6529]

Visiting Tsumago and Magome was one of the highlights of my trip. It's so beautiful and peaceful, especially after coming from busy Tokyo

[@experience_japan]

I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed Tsumago and Magome! They are indeed peaceful escapes from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. It must have been a refreshing change of pace for you. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@mack_1952]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful journey. Japan is beautiful.

[@xavierwayne2031]

Thank you for your humble videos on your channel. A truly first-person experience. Thank you for letting us hear the sounds of environment.

[@JapanMediaTour]

Walked a bit of the Nakasendo this past spring - I highly recommend it! I especially loved Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku. Thanks for the video :)

[@user-yw6zi3jo6p]

Japón... simplemente hermoso . Japón... simplemente hermoso .

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

So beautiful please and beautiful view I love Japan my dream is to visit Tokyo Japan someday I live in a city in California

[@experience_japan]

Thank you so much

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

@@experience_japan hello my friend your very welcome 🤗 happy Sunday have a beautiful day

[@JimmysALilGirl]

It was great being able to see this hike in summer and not have to also feel the heat and leg pain, lol. Glad you didn't run into any bears! Also finished watching your older videos and noticed it was just your 1-year anniversary last month. Congratulations and here's to another year! 🍻

[@experience_japan]

Thank you so much 😊

[@mikka8183]

how did you plan for this trip? we can only fly to tokyo and we are trying to make a route for the trip from there. do you have any tips or steps to follow? i must say designing such a trip is not walk in the park at all :)))

[@thelifeofbatteries2603]

@@mikka8183 your best bet is to catch the Shinkansen to Nagoya 1.5hrs then get on the Shinano (Nagano) to Nakatsugawa and get the bus to Magome from there. I'd recommend a very early train

[@juliacarolinefiumarilazaro3783]

I really love your videos. This place feels like I'm in a Ghibli movie. I hope one day to visit Japan and be able to see it through my eyes, but for now I thank you so much for showing us around ❤

[@thomaslau2362]

To have a train over this, countryside will be marvellous where u can c samurai & farmers in the rice field

[@experience_japan]

Absolutely, the blend of modern and traditional is truly special. Imagine taking a train through history! 🚄🌾

[@misamisamisamisamisamisa]

I like the map. Made me understand the topography a bit. Thank you for a great video content!

[@flyingnun1975]

Awesome experience!!! Now it's on my bucket list.

[@experience_japan]

Please do!

[@Eden-Restored]

Beautiful video. Lovely to experience your hike. 😊

[@rezaalan3991]

Great video. Trekking like this reminds me when I join Scouts.

[@ELD89]

I prefer living in the country. Quieter, less traffic, beautiful scenery, and overall less stressful.

[@Murph275]

Hello EJ. Would love to see more of Samurai culture videos of the old towns and houses. Hard to find content like yours with Samurai history. Would love to see you visit more Hokkaido as well!

[@experience_japan]

Thanks for the interest! I'm excited to explore more Samurai culture and visit Hokkaido too. Stay tuned for more adventures! 🗾🎥

[@roberttobias3629]

Thank you very much for sharing with us your videos sir. Actually, it is my wish that i can also visit someday the places where you have gone. You made a very beautiful video....

[@1Kroopak]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing.

[@ArmouredPhalanx]

I would definitely like to do this hike someday. Thanks for sharing.

[@blayral]

did the same 2 weeks before you did. All that part of the nakasendo is out of time. landscape from magome juku is stunning indeed

[@nanab9963]

I really enjoyed this episode! Thank you❤

[@hori166]

I stayed at Tajimaya in 2020 during the pandemic. It was the only inn open. I had the room overlooking the street. The only other guests were a German couple living in Tokyo. It was SO quiet because there were no people. The only thing I could hear was the sound of water and the swallows 燕. BTW you can actually pick up the Nakasendo from Nakatsugawa to Ochiai and then to Magome. Maybe this autumn I want to walk the portions that include Yabuhara and Narai. It's too hot in the summer but @ 14:10 just past that building, there's a well 井戸 with delicious cold water. Of course, there's another one at the teahouse. The amazing thing about the 旧街道 roads is that some people rode in palanquins 輿. The carriers must have been incredibly fit to carry people up and down those stone paved 石畳 roads!

[@wesleywong8911]

Discovered your channel a few days ago and I been watching all your videos - so chill and relaxing. Keep up with your content and thanks for sharing the hidden gems of Japan.

[@experience_japan]

Thanks for discovering me😀

[@karohemd2426]

The historic building definitely look like they belong in this beautiful landscape. I would definitely come here in the autumn. At 35 degrees I can barely move horizontally, let alone on a hilly hike.

[@laura-lydia7610]

I swear, those Decathlon bags (4:57) are everywhere!!!

[@Maria-vp4oz]

This video is AMAZING!!!! ❤ Thank you!!!

[@experience_japan]

Glad you liked it!!

[@sharonleong7120]

I love it. Thanks for sharing it. 👍👍👍😍😍😍

[@PedroGomez-xf3be]

Great video 👍 Beautiful place ❤ Thank you for the video🙏

[@insidiousfish]

5:09 Those water wheels are probably more decorative than functional. 17:15 My grandmother had a sewing machine that looks like that from the 60s Are all of the 69 post towns preserved? It's amazing how they made a tourist attraction out of this historical route. Thanks for taking us along.

[@irenepielago1053]

I like your videos, I feel like I'm in Japan while watching it. Beautiful. Anyway I've been to Japan. Hopefully to come back again soon.

[@experience_japan]

You should!

[@peko7446]

Thank you for sharing this. I'll be doing the same in a few weeks. This really helps.

[@nicolefernandez92]

😊😊😊 beautiful ✨ Wish to visit awesome Japan some years

[@rogernordico]

nice trip, hope one day I will do this path with my kids.

[@frankschmitzer5824]

Oh how I would love to visit beautiful Japan! Thank you for the wonderful walk.

[@raizulyperez3405]

Japón... simplemente hermoso 💕

[@50ftbelow54]

The wooden beehive ornament is called a Sugidama, usually hung outside of sake breweries / shops

[@nothingruler14All]

Thank you for taking us on such a long, sweaty hike so we could see the beautiful scenery and interesting history! When you said what the temperature was, I couldn't believe you were committing to a hike that long in such heat. This is definitely now on my list of things to do when I am able to go to Japan (definitely in spring or fall!).

[@experience_japan]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MatveyGordeev663]

Сказочные места ❤

[@madalinmaximilian6899]

If you told me 25 years ago that today I will get to enjoy Japan from the comfort of my home .. I would have slap you :D Thank you very much for giving reasons to pay my internet bill. :D Thank for experience and keep up the good job.

[@EdithGzz]

I loved this video! I’m always interested in learning history! It’s amazing how the trail/buildings are in very good condition! Japan is so beautiful! Before I came across your KZbin channel I never really thought about Japan. Now I look forward to your videos! I hope one day I am able to visit 🫶🏽

[@experience_japan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@duba77777]

I went crazy thinking it was the one used by Mugen and Jin, but this is amazing too. Great scenery and locations. Felt like I was there. I was wondering when you'd mention cola, it came relatively early, lol, guess it was very very hot.

[@unebonnevie]

Definitely visit this place next time in Japan!

[@sillykanji]

Your channel is the best. Thank you for showing everyone. Best wishes!

[@experience_japan]

Thank you too

[@NealeOBrien]

Thank you so much for this; it really is the most beautiful place that I have ever seen! I wish that I could go there and see it for myself, but these videos are the next best thing. Thank you again for showing me this. Take care in the future and look after yourself.

[@experience_japan]

Thank you so much, Neale! I’m really glad you enjoyed the video. It would be amazing if you could visit one day. Take care!

[@NealeOBrien]

@@experience_japan You are welcome and thank you for using my name. I've left many comments for KZbinrs, and this is the first time that anyone has done that.

[@LovetoMissLisa]

Hi Tim (I think this is your name?...if not forgive me😉🙏🤦‍♀️). This was an extraordinary experience! I had a blast🤗💥🥳😎👍! It wasn't just a great historical place to learn about...this was so beautiful & exceptional!👍 I said in a previous post...when you travel, You take all of us with you. I hope you didn't mind, me taking a piggy back ride...and hope it wasn't too much for you 😂😁😆😊🤣. Thank you it was fun!😜👏 I even took bites of your Udon 🍜 when you weren't looking 😋😁. Soba noodles are my favorite 🍜. Had a blast. Can't wait til the next trip.☝👏🙌✌Best to you, 😉😎🙏🙇‍♀️ Lisa

[@lilo7019]

Thank you very much for sharing Great video Stay safe

[@A.C.V.GENOCIDE_Director]

You made this perfect asmr video, thank you very much!

[@BrianHeffernan-qz4xd]

Greetings from Columbus, Ohio. I just found your channel and I love it. You asked if people preferred the city or country and after seeing this I definitely prefer the country. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend.