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Walking Japan's Historic Nakasendo: From Village to Village with Kana Hattori

Walking Japan's Historic Nakasendo: From Village to Village with Kana Hattori


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Nakasendo is one of feudal Japan's network of highways from more than 400 years ago, connecting Kyoto and Tokyo, with a total distance of about 530km. Come and walk virtually the historic Nakasendo trail with an expert guide who has walked the trail over 30 times, as we explore everything from forest bathing to the unique history, rural life, and culture of the Edo period.
Interested in walking the Kumano Kodō trail? Check out Kana's additional walking seminar Walking Japan's Kumano Kodō: The Ancient UNESCO Pilgrimage Trail.
During this virtual walking tour, we will not only learn the unique feudal system during the Edo period of Japan and how the highways including Nakasendo worked for the Shogun government but also see the beautiful forest and lovely scenery of Kiso Valley. We will discover more about the local gourmet food and virtually experience Japanese traditional accommodation, the practice of wearing yukata cotton kimono, soaking in onsen hot springs, and sleeping on a futon.
Led by an expert guide who walked the Nakasendo trail over 30 times, Kana Hattori, this interactive seminar will offer a virtual walking tour of Nakasendo from Kyoto to Tokyo. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding and appreciation of the life and culture of Nakasendo and old Japan.

Kana is a qualified tea master of Urasenke Tea Ceremony School and is an experienced national-licensed guide. She holds a BA in English from Doshisha University, Kyoto, and another BA in Japanese Classical and Traditional Arts from Kyoto University of Arts and Design. She enjoys playing the shamisen, a 3-stringed traditional music instrument that geisha ladies also play, and also performing Noh, 650-year-old Japanese classical theater. The Zen philosophy—to live in the moment—has always been a core tenet of her life.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 21 reviews
71%
(15)
14%
(3)
10%
(2)
5%
(1)
0%
(0)
L
L. (Philadelphia, US)
Delightful trip through the mountains

Kana covers all the bases in her delightful presentation of the walking trip - maps, topography, historical and cultural significance, navigating the trains and buses, what to bring, Japanese customs and lots of pictures and videos of scenes along the trail. My husband and I walked a portion of this trail in 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed the walk, the varied scenery along the way, the traditional Japanese architecture and the friendly people.

P
P.F. (Bridgeport, US)
Travel from home!

I enjoyed all of the details of the history and cultural practices along this famous walking route. Also, the presenter’s video clips gave excellent footage of the path itself, which was interesting to see. I liked learning how the buses and trains operated, as well, with regards to tickets, door access, and what the expect on board. It was 90 minutes that transported me to Japan. I enjoyed this talk very much and found it well worth the cost.

E
E. (South Jordan, US)
walking in Japan

Excellent presentation with good visuals of villages visited and the paths to them, details about distances and seasons to do it in, places and cultural items of interest in each village.

D
D.B. (Cheyenne, US)
Walking the Nakasendo

Thorough review of all involved with walking the trail.

M
Mair Morris (Chilliwack, CA)

Superb! No time wasted - the talk was interesting and engaging. It brought back memories of my holiday in Japan three years ago.

Customer Reviews

Based on 21 reviews
71%
(15)
14%
(3)
10%
(2)
5%
(1)
0%
(0)
L
L. (Philadelphia, US)
Delightful trip through the mountains

Kana covers all the bases in her delightful presentation of the walking trip - maps, topography, historical and cultural significance, navigating the trains and buses, what to bring, Japanese customs and lots of pictures and videos of scenes along the trail. My husband and I walked a portion of this trail in 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed the walk, the varied scenery along the way, the traditional Japanese architecture and the friendly people.

P
P.F. (Bridgeport, US)
Travel from home!

I enjoyed all of the details of the history and cultural practices along this famous walking route. Also, the presenter’s video clips gave excellent footage of the path itself, which was interesting to see. I liked learning how the buses and trains operated, as well, with regards to tickets, door access, and what the expect on board. It was 90 minutes that transported me to Japan. I enjoyed this talk very much and found it well worth the cost.

E
E. (South Jordan, US)
walking in Japan

Excellent presentation with good visuals of villages visited and the paths to them, details about distances and seasons to do it in, places and cultural items of interest in each village.

D
D.B. (Cheyenne, US)
Walking the Nakasendo

Thorough review of all involved with walking the trail.

M
Mair Morris (Chilliwack, CA)

Superb! No time wasted - the talk was interesting and engaging. It brought back memories of my holiday in Japan three years ago.