u/Affectionate_Bus4514

Hello, I plan to walk from Nakatsugawa to Tokyo through Chubu-Sangaku National Park right after the golden week (I'm currently in Kyoto). I have around 7 weeks total, so I'm happy to make detours. I need access to a fridge in the evening so I can't go camping randomly.

Since I would like to stay on a low budget (preferably max 10k yen per night) it seems quite difficult to find accommodations "on the go" and even looking through maps and booking websites there seem to be very few options that aren't expensive, so I'm finding it difficult to even plan it.

I would love to just start walking, be spontaneous about it and just see where my feet take me. But my impression is that that's not really realistic, especially since I don't speak Japanese.

Therefore I would love to hear if my impression is correct or what's the best way to approach this type of plan. Thank you.

I'm currently planning my walking adventure with chatgpt and here is what we came up with and I would love to hear some feedback if this actually is the type of experience that I'm looking for, thank you very much.

Planning a 7-week Japan walking route – feedback appreciated

I’m currently in Kyoto and considering a long-distance walk to Tokyo, roughly following the Nakasendō. I have about 7 weeks total, with 2–3 days in Tokyo at the end (flight on June 24).

Goal:

A less touristy, more nature-focused version of the Nakasendō. I don’t need to strictly follow the historical route – I’m fine deviating if it improves the experience (more mountains, less asphalt, fewer cities). I have to sleep in any type of houses and won't be camping.

Rough plan:

- Start in Kyoto, head toward Otsu and Sekigahara using smaller rural roads where possible

- Enter the Kiso Valley (Magome → Tsumago → Narai → Kiso-Fukushima) and prioritize all preserved trail sections

- From Kiso-Fukushima, leave the standard Nakasendō and head into the mountains (Ontake area, possibly toward Kamikochi)

- Reconnect north via Matsumoto, then continue through higher elevation areas (e.g. Utsukushigahara, Wada Pass)

- Avoid the more urban Karuizawa → Tokyo stretch where possible, or compress/skip parts by train

- Finish with a short approach into Tokyo, then spend a few days there before departure

Style:

- 15–30 km walking days (after some warmup days I'll be able to walk 25-30km per day without much elevation)

- Flexible pacing, rest days when needed

- Prefer quiet, rural, and nature-heavy sections over “must-see” spots

Questions:

- Does this hybrid approach make sense in practice?

- Are there better nature-focused alternatives in this region I should consider?

- Any specific sections that are not worth walking (and should be skipped)?

- Navigation tips for less marked parts?

Appreciate any insights, especially from people who’ve walked longer sections in Japan.