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Shin-Etsu Trail Six-Night Module (Advanced Hiking)
6 Nights: from US$1928 per person (twin share) Trip Code: SET03
On this adventurous six-night itinerary you can escape to the mountains for a week and hike the full length of the Shin-Etsu Trail through northern Nagano Prefecture. It's easy to slot this hiking module into many Self-Guided itineraries, so you can experience the best of urban and rural Japan. Read more >
Japan has numerous popular hiking trails both long and short, but if you want to beat the crowds for a more peaceful hike, why not head to our favourite lesser-known route: the 70km (44 mile) long Shin-Etsu Trail. This historic route runs along the backbone of the Sekida Mountains separating Niigata and Nagano Prefectures in central Honshu Island, and has been traversed for centuries by traders from the two prefectures looking to exchange their produce and wares.
The whole trail is split into six sections, all of which take between 5 and 8 hours to complete, and can be hiked at a leisurely pace over the course of six days. Along the way you'll get to experience tranquil beech forests, impressive cedar woods, lush marshland, and intrepid ridge walking during the latter sections. The whole trail is clearly signposted with arrows, making it easy for hikers to follow the routes on their own.
On good days you'll be treated to panoramic views of the area, with the Sea of Japan, Sado Island, and the plains of Niigata out to one side, and the valley and mountains of landlocked Nagano out to the other. Even on a rainy day you'll find the forests to be misty and atmospheric, and you might even be lucky enough to witness the sea of clouds phenomenon and walk above the cloud line.
In order to get the most out of the experience, we've included a guided hike on your first day with a knowledgeable local guide who'll be able to share all sorts of information on the life and history of the area.
This hiking module finishes full circle back at Iiyama Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train line, meaning you can easily head up to the garden city of Kanazawa, south to Nagano, or down to Tokyo.
What's included
- Train travel to Iiyama on the first day
- All transport between your accommodation and the trail
- Six breakfasts, five lunches, and six dinners
- Shin-Etsu Trail orientation and maps
- Guided hike of Section 2 (on day one)
- Luggage forwarding between the accommodations
What's NOT included:
- Lunch on day one after your arrival in Iiyama
Trip Highlights
- Hike all 70km of the Shin-Etsu Trail
- Tuck into tasty homegrown food at a family-run inn
- Learn about the area and the trail on a guided hike
- Relax after your hike in hot spring baths
- Escape the crowds on this tranquil hiking route
- Enjoy sweeping sea and mountain views along the trail
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: 303 952 0379
What, where, when and how...
Shin-Etsu Trail Six-Night Module (Advanced Hiking) - 7 Days
Destinations
Shin-Etsu Trail Six-Night Module (Advanced Hiking) - 7 Days - Day by Day
Shin-Etsu Trail Six-Night Module (Advanced Hiking) - 7 Days - Accommodation
Shin-Etsu Trail Six-Night Module (Advanced Hiking) - 7 Days - Experiences
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Day 1-2
Strap on your hiking boots for the beginning of your adventure
Upon arrival at Iiyama Station you'll be met by a local rep from the tourism bureau who will provide you with your orientation, and give you all the maps you'll need for the hike. The station has a handy activity centre where you can rent any bits of hiking gear that you've forgotten. A pre-booked taxi will take you up to Madarao Kogen, a ski resort during the winter and the first stop for Shin-Etsu Trail hikers in the summer.
On the first day we've included a guided hike with a local guide, allowing you to learn about the area and the trail, so you'll feel confident hiking the rest of the trail on your own. You'll actually hike Section 2 on your first day rather than Section 1, which might seem counter-intuitive, but we feel that Section 2, with forested trails and marshland walks, offers the gentlest introduction to the whole trail.
Day two will be the beginning of the Self-Guided part of your hiking itinerary. Section 1, which begins at the foot of Mount Madarao (the highest point along the Shin-Etsu Trail at 1,382m), has a steep first section and some undulating parts in the middle, but also provides great views of Lake Nojiriko and the Five Northern Peaks of Nagano Prefecture.
For these two nights in Madarao Kogen you'll be staying at a Western-style hotel with hot spring baths and views of the ski slopes.Overnight: Madarao Kogen Hotel
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Day 3-4
Experience a traditional ryokan stay in rural Togarinozawa
On days three and four you'll complete another two sections of the trail, both quite different from each other. Section 3, which takes around 6 hours to complete, is one of the longest at 12.7km and leads you through atmospheric cedar forests that are particularly beautiful on a misty day. It's also the most historic trail, and there's a memorial to the samurai warrior Uesugi Kenshin, who made camp here during one of his campaigns in the Warring States Period centuries ago.
Section 4 is the start of the ridge walking and beech forests that characterize the latter half of the Shin-Etsu Trail. The first part of Section 4 is a steep climb up the grassy path alongside the Togari Ski Resort ski runs, but once you're up on the ridgeline you'll be treated to some great views of the valley, the Chikuma River, and mountains of Nagano. The end of today's 6-hour hike involves some energetic ducking and weaving around misshapen tree branches that have been bent out of shape by the heavy snow Iiyama experiences every year – some winters the area receives a staggering 4m (13 feet) of snow.
In Togarinozawa Onsen you'll stay at a friendly family-run ryokan inn, surrounded by rice fields. You can look forward to delicious homegrown food a hot spring baths to soak away any weariness from your hike.Overnight: Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan
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Day 5-7
Complete the final two days of the Shin-Etsu Trail
12.4km-long Section 5 awaits you today with some lovely stretches of forest walking. Maki Pass, around half way through the hike, is the best place to snap photos of the Sea of Japan and distant Sado Island. Towards the end of the trail as you make your way towards the final pass, be sure to look back and enjoy the views behind you, with the twin peaks of Mount Myoko and Mount Hiuchi in the distance.
Day 6 is the final day of your Shin-Etsu Trail adventure, and at 7 hours is also the longest day of hiking. Section 6, with its gentle ascents and descents and sweeping views of Niigata, is our personal favourite and is particularly beautiful during autumn. From Mount Amamizu, the official end point of the 70km-long Shin-Etsu Trail, you'll have a final 30-minute walk down through a huge beech forest until you reach the road, where a pre-booked taxi will be waiting to you whisk you away to a much-deserved soak in the hot springs.
During these last two days you'll be staying at Mori-no-Ie, a series of wooden cabins set in the forests of Nabekura Kogen. They're all self-catering so we'll arrange for a food box to be delivered for the first night so you can cook up your own meal, and on the second night you'll go directly to a local hot spring facility where you can relax in the baths and enjoy a hearty dinner in the restaurant.
On your final morning you'll be taken to the nearest JR train station to make your way by local train back to Iiyama Station, where you'll transfer to another train to take you on to your next destination.Overnight: Mori-no-Ie
-
Day 1-2
Strap on your hiking boots for the beginning of your adventure
Upon arrival at Iiyama Station you'll be met by a local rep from the tourism bureau who will provide you with your orientation, and give you all the maps you'll need for the hike. The station has a handy activity centre where you can rent any bits of hiking gear that you've forgotten. A pre-booked taxi will take you up to Madarao Kogen, a ski resort during the winter and the first stop for Shin-Etsu Trail hikers in the summer.
On the first day we've included a guided hike with a local guide, allowing you to learn about the area and the trail, so you'll feel confident hiking the rest of the trail on your own. You'll actually hike Section 2 on your first day rather than Section 1, which might seem counter-intuitive, but we feel that Section 2, with forested trails and marshland walks, offers the gentlest introduction to the whole trail.
Day two will be the beginning of the Self-Guided part of your hiking itinerary. Section 1, which begins at the foot of Mount Madarao (the highest point along the Shin-Etsu Trail at 1,382m), has a steep first section and some undulating parts in the middle, but also provides great views of Lake Nojiriko and the Five Northern Peaks of Nagano Prefecture.
For these two nights in Madarao Kogen you'll be staying at a Western-style hotel with hot spring baths and views of the ski slopes.Overnight: Madarao Kogen Hotel
-
Day 3-4
Experience a traditional ryokan stay in rural Togarinozawa
On days three and four you'll complete another two sections of the trail, both quite different from each other. Section 3, which takes around 6 hours to complete, is one of the longest at 12.7km and leads you through atmospheric cedar forests that are particularly beautiful on a misty day. It's also the most historic trail, and there's a memorial to the samurai warrior Uesugi Kenshin, who made camp here during one of his campaigns in the Warring States Period centuries ago.
Section 4 is the start of the ridge walking and beech forests that characterize the latter half of the Shin-Etsu Trail. The first part of Section 4 is a steep climb up the grassy path alongside the Togari Ski Resort ski runs, but once you're up on the ridgeline you'll be treated to some great views of the valley, the Chikuma River, and mountains of Nagano. The end of today's 6-hour hike involves some energetic ducking and weaving around misshapen tree branches that have been bent out of shape by the heavy snow Iiyama experiences every year – some winters the area receives a staggering 4m (13 feet) of snow.
In Togarinozawa Onsen you'll stay at a friendly family-run ryokan inn, surrounded by rice fields. You can look forward to delicious homegrown food a hot spring baths to soak away any weariness from your hike.Overnight: Shikisai no Yado Kanoe Ryokan
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Day 5-7
Complete the final two days of the Shin-Etsu Trail
12.4km-long Section 5 awaits you today with some lovely stretches of forest walking. Maki Pass, around half way through the hike, is the best place to snap photos of the Sea of Japan and distant Sado Island. Towards the end of the trail as you make your way towards the final pass, be sure to look back and enjoy the views behind you, with the twin peaks of Mount Myoko and Mount Hiuchi in the distance.
Day 6 is the final day of your Shin-Etsu Trail adventure, and at 7 hours is also the longest day of hiking. Section 6, with its gentle ascents and descents and sweeping views of Niigata, is our personal favourite and is particularly beautiful during autumn. From Mount Amamizu, the official end point of the 70km-long Shin-Etsu Trail, you'll have a final 30-minute walk down through a huge beech forest until you reach the road, where a pre-booked taxi will be waiting to you whisk you away to a much-deserved soak in the hot springs.
During these last two days you'll be staying at Mori-no-Ie, a series of wooden cabins set in the forests of Nabekura Kogen. They're all self-catering so we'll arrange for a food box to be delivered for the first night so you can cook up your own meal, and on the second night you'll go directly to a local hot spring facility where you can relax in the baths and enjoy a hearty dinner in the restaurant.
On your final morning you'll be taken to the nearest JR train station to make your way by local train back to Iiyama Station, where you'll transfer to another train to take you on to your next destination.Overnight: Mori-no-Ie
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