Kiso-Fukushima Station, Japan
Likely the most iconic walk of the entire Nakasendo, the trail from Magome to Tsumago is excellent for a full day in the Kiso Valley. There is a little bit of everything on this train including two post-towns with very different atmospheres, steep mountains, sleepy villages, picturesque rice paddies and raging waterfalls.
Many people prefer to start from Magome and finish in Tsumago as the former is higher altitude, meaning less uphill walking overall. The trail crosses Magome Pass (790 m) before descending into the Kiso Valley and Tsumago. It’s about 9 kilometers in length and takes 2.5 to 3 hours to complete, including a stop for tea at the Ichikokutochi Tateba Chaya resthouse.