Nagano Prefecture

The Nakasendo’s landscape changes with the season but it’s during winter that warmth of the locals is most noticeable. Before the invention of high-speed trains and airplanes, people had to walk between Kyoto and Edo. It would be many years until Edo became Tokyo and took the title of capital of Japan. During these ancient times, travelers could choose between three routes to make the roughly 21-day trek. Undoubtedly, the Tokaido route is most known outside of Japan as its paths were used to pave the way of the first Shinkansen train connection, but it is actually the Nakasendo route that was most traveled by the Japanese. High-ranked officials and traders of valuable goods preferred this inland route over the coastal Tokaido because of its safety and well-developed roads. The scenic Nakasendo route became so popular that artists were commissioned to travel its paths and bring back haikus and paintings inspired by the surroundings. The Nakasendo’s landscape changes with the season but it’s during winter that warmth of the locals is most noticeable. Walking through ancient post towns and the breathtaking Kiso Valley feels different when it’s covered in a blanket of pure white snow. Warm tea and piping hot…