Day Trip
Kiso-Fukushima, Yabuhara & Torii Pass
A full day on foot over the historic Torii Pass to Yabuhara-juku, then by train to explore Kiso-Fukushima — with two lunch-stop options below, depending on where you'd like to eat.
← Back to Day TripTorii Pass, on the old Nakasendo road between Narai-juku and Yabuhara-juku (click to enlarge)
Torii Pass route map, with our hotel marked along the way (click to enlarge)
Kiso-Fukushima Castle Ruins trail map (click to enlarge)
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8:00 AM
Depart Samurai Hotel Narai-so
Walk through Narai-juku to the Torii Pass trailhead.
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8:00–11:00 AM
Hike Torii Pass (Nakasendo)
A historic mountain pass on the old Nakasendo road connecting Narai-juku and Yabuhara-juku. The trail is about 6 km and normally takes 3 to 4 hours on foot.
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Around 11:00 AM
Arrive at Yabuhara-juku
The trail from Narai-juku ends in the historic post town of Yabuhara. From here, choose one of the two options below.
Trailhead above Narai-so (click to enlarge)
The torii gate near the pass's summit (click to enlarge)
The trail down toward Yabuhara-juku (click to enlarge)
Yabuhara-juku (click to enlarge)
Option A: Lunch in Kiso-Fukushima
A shorter stop in Yabuhara, an earlier train, and more time to explore Kiso-Fukushima in the afternoon.
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11:00–11:20 AM
Sake Brewery YUKAWA (酒蔵 YUKAWA)
A quick visit to this local sake brewery in Yabuhara-juku before catching the train.
View on Google Maps → -
11:27 AM
Depart Yabuhara Station
Take the JR Chūō Line toward Kiso-Fukushima.
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Around 11:40 AM
Arrive at Kiso-Fukushima Station
Exit the station and walk into the old town.
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11:40 AM–12:30 PM
Lunch at Kurumaya Honten (くるまや本店)
A well-known soba restaurant in Kiso-Fukushima.
View on Google Maps → -
12:30–1:00 PM
Fukushima Sekisho Ato (福島関所跡)
The ruins of one of the Nakasendo's most important checkpoints, used to control travel during the Edo period.
View on Google Maps → -
1:00–1:30 PM
Gakeya-zukuri Townscape (崖家づくりの町並み)
A row of houses built out over the cliffside above the Kiso River — a distinctive local building style.
View on Google Maps → -
1:30–2:00 PM
Yamamura Daikan's Residence (山村代官屋敷)
The former residence of the Yamamura family, who governed the Kiso region as local administrators (daikan) through the Edo period.
View on Google Maps → -
2:00–2:30 PM
Kiso-Fukushima Castle Ruins (木曽福島城跡)
The hilltop ruins of the castle once held by the Kiso and, later, Yamamura clans.
View on Google Maps → -
2:30–3:30 PM
Shiroyama Nature Trail & Gongen Falls (城山自然遊歩道・権現滝)
A wooded walking trail above the town leading to Gongen Falls.
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3:30–4:20 PM
Free time / walk back to Kiso-Fukushima Station
Enjoy some final shopping or a relaxed walk through the old town on your way back to the station.
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4:34 PM
Depart Kiso-Fukushima Station
Take the local JR Chūō Line train toward Narai.
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4:56 PM
Arrive at Narai Station
Walk back to Samurai Hotel Narai-so, in plenty of time for dinner.
Sake Brewery YUKAWA (click to enlarge)
Sake tasting at YUKAWA (click to enlarge)
Lunch at Kurumaya Honten (click to enlarge)
Fukushima Sekisho Ato (click to enlarge)
Gakeya-zukuri Townscape (click to enlarge)
Kiso-Fukushima's old townscape (click to enlarge)
Yamamura Daikan's Residence (click to enlarge)
Kiso-Fukushima Castle Ruins (click to enlarge)
Option B: Lunch in Yabuhara
A more relaxed stop in Yabuhara-juku with lunch and a shrine visit, a later train, and a shorter afternoon in Kiso-Fukushima.
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11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Lunch at Oginoya (おぎのや)
A soba restaurant in Yabuhara-juku.
View on Google Maps → -
12:00–12:50 PM
Yabuhara Shrine (藪原神社)
A short walk from the restaurant to this local shrine before heading to the station.
View on Google Maps → -
1:23 PM
Depart Yabuhara Station
Take the JR Chūō Line toward Kiso-Fukushima.
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Around 1:35 PM
Arrive at Kiso-Fukushima Station
Exit the station and walk into the old town.
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1:35–2:00 PM
Fukushima Sekisho Ato (福島関所跡)
The ruins of one of the Nakasendo's most important checkpoints, used to control travel during the Edo period.
View on Google Maps → -
2:00–2:25 PM
Gakeya-zukuri Townscape (崖家づくりの町並み)
A row of houses built out over the cliffside above the Kiso River — a distinctive local building style.
View on Google Maps → -
2:25–2:50 PM
Yamamura Daikan's Residence (山村代官屋敷)
The former residence of the Yamamura family, who governed the Kiso region as local administrators (daikan) through the Edo period.
View on Google Maps → -
2:50–3:30 PM
Sabou Matsushima (茶房松島)
Take a relaxed tea or coffee break at this local café.
View on Google Maps → -
3:30–4:20 PM
Free time / walk back to Kiso-Fukushima Station
Enjoy some final shopping or a relaxed walk through the old town on your way back to the station.
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4:34 PM
Depart Kiso-Fukushima Station
Take the local JR Chūō Line train toward Narai.
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4:56 PM
Arrive at Narai Station
Walk back to Samurai Hotel Narai-so, in plenty of time for dinner.
Lunch at Oginoya (click to enlarge)
Yabuhara Shrine (click to enlarge)
The torii gate at Yabuhara Shrine (click to enlarge)
Sabou Matsushima (click to enlarge)
Important notes
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for mountain and forest trails.
- We recommend carrying water, especially during warmer months.
- The Torii Pass trail can become slippery after rain.
- Both options share the same train times back from Kiso-Fukushima — please choose the option that best matches how you'd like to spend your afternoon.
- Train schedules may change, so we recommend checking the latest timetable before departure.
- If you would like, we can also assist you with information about the route and transportation before you leave the hotel.