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Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)
3 Nights: from US$1064 per person (twin share) Trip Code: SET01
This three-day hiking module introduces you to our favourite sections of the 70km-long Shin-Etsu Trail, allowing you to enjoy hiking through majestic beech forests and along mountain ridgelines. It can be added to many Self-Guided Adventures as it's easily accessible from Tokyo and Kanazawa. Read more >
The Shin-Etsu Trail runs 70km from Madarao Kogen in southeast Iiyama, all the way along the prefectural border between Niigata and Nagano, until it reaches its end at Mount Amamizu in the northeastern tip of Nagano Prefecture.
Hiking the entire route is an intrepid adventure and something we highly recommend, but we realize it's not always possible to spend a full week on a hiking trail. That's why we've cherry-picked our three favourite sections to showcase the best of the scenery for a shorter trip, from shady beech forests to narrow ridge walking with fantastic views. Whether you choose to travel in early July when the forests are lush with new growth, or in autumn amongst the crisp orange leaves, the Shin-Etsu Trail offers an invigorating outdoor experience that is blissfully free from crowds.
It's easy to follow the trail without knowing any Japanese, but in order to help you make the most of your experience, we've included a guided hike on day one. Your guide knows the trail like the back of their hand, and will have plenty of knowledge and insight about the region to share with you.
What's included
- Train travel to Iiyama
- All transport between accommodation and the trail
- Three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners
- Shin-Etsu Trail orientation and maps
- Guided hike of Section 2
- Luggage forwarding between Iiyama and Togarinozawa Onsen
What's NOT included:
- Lunch after your arrival in Iiyama
Trip Highlights
- Hike three scenic sections of the Shin-Etsu Trail
- Soak in hot spring baths
- Take in panoramic sea and mountain views along the trail
- Tuck into tasty local food at a family-run inn
- Join an experienced guide for day one of your hike
- Experience the slower pace of rural Japanese life
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: 303 952 0379
What, where, when and how...
Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 4 Days
Destinations
Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 4 Days - Day by Day
Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 4 Days - Accommodation
Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) - 4 Days - Experiences
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Day 1
Begin your Shin-Etsu Trail adventure
Upon arrival at Iiyama Station you'll be met by a local representative who will conduct your orientation for you and make sure you're all set up with maps for the next three days. The station houses a well-stocked activity centre shop where you can pick up any last-minute supplies for your hike.
A pre-arranged taxi will take you up to Madarao Kogen to your accommodation so you can drop off your bags, and then it'll be time to meet your guide and set off on day one of your hike. Section 2 is the least strenuous of the six sections and provides a gentle introduction to the trail. It should take around 5 hours to complete the almost 11km (6.6 mile) hike.
At the end of the hike your accommodation staff will come and meet you and take you back to the hotel, where you can soak in the hot spring baths and tuck into a hearty meal.Overnight: Madarao Kogen Hotel
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Day 2-4
Take in the panoramic views along Sections 4 and 6
Armed with your maps and guidance from your orientation and guide the day before, you'll set off on Day Two for your hike along the 8.2km-long Section 4. The first part up the grassy trail alongside the ski run is pretty steep, but once you're up on the ridge line it's smoother sailing. Section 4 offers some of the best views along the trail, with Niigata Prefecture and the Sea of Japan out to your left, and Nagano Prefecture and the Chikuma River out to the right. The highest elevation you'll reach today is Mount Nabekura, which is the second highest point of the Shin-Etsu Trail at 1,288m (4,225 ft).
During the latter part of the day's 6-hour hike you'll find yourself doing a fun bit of ducking and weaving around oddly shaped branches, twisted over small sections of the trail. Iiyama experiences the highest snowfall of any populated place in Japan – up to 4m (13 feet)! – and the sheer weight of the snow twists the beech tree branches into bizarre shapes.
Your Iiyama accommodation will have provided you with a filling bento lunch box for your hike today; Ozawa-toge Pass has a u-shaped branch that makes the perfect seat for a break!
After staying overnight at one of our favourite family-run inns, you'll set off on Day Three for the final day's hike along 12.7 km-long Section 6, the longest and most scenic of the sections. The elevation changes are fairly gentle today, allowing you to enjoy the panoramic views over Niigata Prefecture as you make your way ever closer to your final goal, 1,151 m high Mount Amamizu. At the end of the hike, a pre-arranged taxi will be waiting to drive you back to your accommodation, where hot spring baths and a hearty dinner await.
On Day Four, you'll take the train back to Iiyama Station, and change to another train to take you to your next destination.Overnight: Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan
-
Day 1
Begin your Shin-Etsu Trail adventure
Upon arrival at Iiyama Station you'll be met by a local representative who will conduct your orientation for you and make sure you're all set up with maps for the next three days. The station houses a well-stocked activity centre shop where you can pick up any last-minute supplies for your hike.
A pre-arranged taxi will take you up to Madarao Kogen to your accommodation so you can drop off your bags, and then it'll be time to meet your guide and set off on day one of your hike. Section 2 is the least strenuous of the six sections and provides a gentle introduction to the trail. It should take around 5 hours to complete the almost 11km (6.6 mile) hike.
At the end of the hike your accommodation staff will come and meet you and take you back to the hotel, where you can soak in the hot spring baths and tuck into a hearty meal.Overnight: Madarao Kogen Hotel
-
Day 2-4
Take in the panoramic views along Sections 4 and 6
Armed with your maps and guidance from your orientation and guide the day before, you'll set off on Day Two for your hike along the 8.2km-long Section 4. The first part up the grassy trail alongside the ski run is pretty steep, but once you're up on the ridge line it's smoother sailing. Section 4 offers some of the best views along the trail, with Niigata Prefecture and the Sea of Japan out to your left, and Nagano Prefecture and the Chikuma River out to the right. The highest elevation you'll reach today is Mount Nabekura, which is the second highest point of the Shin-Etsu Trail at 1,288m (4,225 ft).
During the latter part of the day's 6-hour hike you'll find yourself doing a fun bit of ducking and weaving around oddly shaped branches, twisted over small sections of the trail. Iiyama experiences the highest snowfall of any populated place in Japan – up to 4m (13 feet)! – and the sheer weight of the snow twists the beech tree branches into bizarre shapes.
Your Iiyama accommodation will have provided you with a filling bento lunch box for your hike today; Ozawa-toge Pass has a u-shaped branch that makes the perfect seat for a break!
After staying overnight at one of our favourite family-run inns, you'll set off on Day Three for the final day's hike along 12.7 km-long Section 6, the longest and most scenic of the sections. The elevation changes are fairly gentle today, allowing you to enjoy the panoramic views over Niigata Prefecture as you make your way ever closer to your final goal, 1,151 m high Mount Amamizu. At the end of the hike, a pre-arranged taxi will be waiting to drive you back to your accommodation, where hot spring baths and a hearty dinner await.
On Day Four, you'll take the train back to Iiyama Station, and change to another train to take you to your next destination.Overnight: Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan
Trip Reviews
Self-Guided Adventure Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)
Read more >The service from Inside Japan was great. The trip went smoothly and we had amazing experiences!
Trip Reviews
Self-Guided Adventure Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking)
Read more >The service from Inside Japan was great. The trip went smoothly and we had amazing experiences!
5.0 out of 5 from 1 review Show all Shin-Etsu Trail Three-Night Module (Intermediate Hiking) Reviews
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