DAY 6

KISO-FUKUSHIMA (REST DAY)

Today is our free day, no walking except for some strolling around the streets of Kiso-Fukushima...we took our time eating breakfast...

View from our hotel window of the Kiso River...it was raining this morning...

That's our Hotel on the left...we are on the top floor...

The soft colours of the forest trees in the mist on the mountains...

After dropping our clothes off at the laundromat Pete and I went for walk as the rain had stopped. 

Vending machine at the laundromat....there is a vending machine in almost every street in Japan....

The sun came out for a while....

Kozen-ji Temple

Beautiful gardens

A walk by the river...

We have both enjoyed our own private onsen....

 

DAY 5

TSUMAGO TO KISO-FUKUSHIMA

After a very good night's sleep we were pleased to see our delicious breakfast. 

Saying goodbye to our lovely Ryokan in Tsumago...

Tsumago is one of the busiest post town on the trail but it was so quiet this morning (at 8am). 

It was a lovely walk out of town.

So many beautiful gardens...

These waterways that are everywhere are astounding....look at the rocks...

The trail ascends steeply up the valley then continues through the forest passing through cedar forests and farm land.

As we were walking up it was always pleasant to look down at the green growth under the trees.

I have never seen trees that are so straight...

After walking 19.4 kilometres ( quite often going up and then down) from Tsumago we finally arrived in the little town of Nojiri ...we found this small cafe open and enjoyed a coffee and cake ...

From the Nojiri train station we caught the train to Kiso-Fukushima ...

.....then walked to our hotel...

The Hotel foyer ....

Our comfortable room....

And our VERY OWN onsen...yay ....after what was our toughest walk today, the soaking in the warm water was fabulous . 

....and then a delicious Japanese dinner ....every meal is enjoyable...the attractive plates and bowls that the food is served in are all so different. The presentation of the food is so eye-catching . The variety of foods is mind boggling , I think I have eaten at least ten foods that I have never tasted before. It is all very exciting. 

 

DAY 4

Nakatsugawa to Tsumago

Breakfast...brought to our house....looked fabulous

And tasted fabulous....we ate it all...

In a corner of our house....

In the hotel garden...

Saying goodbye to Masaya, the owner and chef of the Hotel. 

Back on the trail...bamboo in the city too...

These red gate shrines are called Torii. They are one of the most recognisable symbols of Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion.

Chestnut shells...under a Chestnut tree next to the gates....

After leaving Nakatsugawa we walked through local villages and past small sections of farmland and forest with some great views over Nakatsugawa...

So much water on this trail...we ran into a group of teenage school children and their English teacher kindly offered to take our photo. 

the bamboo forests are quite amazing...

A beautiful temple on the trail...

....more stone pavement....

A lovely pond in one of the villages....

Climbing higher ....great views..

Arrived in Magome Juku (Juku means post town)...old houses, shops and restaurants are on both sides of the street...it is one of the most popular places on the Nakasendo Way.

Raw Travel, the company that organised our trip recommended this coffee shop in Magome...Hillbilly Coffee...

Sooooo nice...

This old watermill is the symbol of Magome Juku...

Between Magome and Tsumago we walked through three villages but most of this section of the  trail is in forest, with cypress, cedar, bamboo and maple trees...

As we climbed down we saw more waterfalls...this was the most impressive...

This was probably the tallest bamboo that we have seen...

Today's destination...Tsumago...the beautiful Araragi River runs through the town.

Tonight's Yukata...I really like the fabric...our room is perfect...in this small Inn.

Dinner in the dining room ...(we didn't have any lunch) Can you see the bugs? We ate them, quite nice they were.