Official Day 1 - Narai - juku

We were up for 26 hours getting here, going to Ramen, staying at Maki's parents one night. They are so sweet. Also met up with Maki's cousin who was in her wedding, and her aunt. (The kids are staying with grandparents while Maki and I walk)

 This morning we did 3 different trains, and were able to actually start our real journey. We asked Maki's dad to take our picture to commemorate the beginning of this adventure: (he needs lessons)

First stop: Train station - coffee

Stop in Shioriji for Buckwheat Soba and wine tasting

I feel tall here

3 kinds of buckwheat noodles

We chose wine tasting over archaeological findings of 5,000 years ago

beautiful vineyards - built in 1911

self serve wine tasting

Another train ride to being our walk into Narai - so beautiful!

Narai

fresh drinking water for weary travelers

Narai is known for lacquerware

Walking into town was everything I imagined

Our Minshuku is AMAZING! Dinner and breakfast included.

The garden

Our private room, but shared bath

Walk to rooms

To meal time

Delicious dinner

YUM

MORE soba

Bath time

Robe Ready

G'night!

JAPAN: Nakasendo Way

SO, my Mocha Maki (as I affectionately named her when she came to live with us from Japan as an exchange student some 20 years ago) has been wanting me to come to Japan with her for since then. For those of you who don't know - she ended up marrying my nephew and lives 2 blocks from me.

Well this year, there was a HUGE one day sale on air tickets, so we got them for half price!

Our plan that we started talking about 4 years ago is to explore (with backpacks only) the Nakasendo Way - through the Kiso Valley.  There will be only 40 miles of hiking in 9 days. Beginning in Tokyo, we will be staying in ancient Japanese villages between Tokyo and Kyoto:Narai,Yabuhara, Tsumago, Nara, Miwa, Yoshino, Koshigaya and Kyoto.  Lots of trains, bus, and even cable car to mountain top.

The Nakasendo trail linked Kyoto to Tokyo during Japan’s feudal period. It was the ‘road through the mountains’ (as opposed to the Tokaido route which traveled the Pacific coast) travelled by feudal lords and their retinues, samurai, merchants, and travelers. Along the route were 69 ‘post towns’, where weary travelers could rest before continuing on the next leg. Our journey will start in Tokyo, known as Edo during Japan’s period of rule by the Shoguns. We will then spend four days walking along the Nakasendo. By day we will walk along the ancient route as it passes through beautifully-preserved villages along an easy path, and by evening we will stay in traditional country inns enjoying exquisite regional cuisine prepared from the freshest ingredients, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts. 

Our Route and plan: (We begin the real journey April 30, Japan time)

We have worked many hours researching and planning - me in English and Maki in Japanese. Maki had to arrange all our lodging and train passes by phone. We are traveling with Maki's 4 children, who will stay with their grandparents near Tokyo while we do our trip.

One thing we didn't know - there are lots of bears there! Who would have guessed.

We will be blogging - (wifi everywhere we stay).

My sweet daughter in law and grand daughter brought me a goodbye goodie bag - how adorable. They thought of everything!