【3 Days】Basho Walk to the Deep North – NASU

Tour summary

Retrace Matsuo Basho’s (the greatest master of “haiku” short Japanese poetry) 17th-century journey along The Narrow Road to the Deep North, where poetry and nature unite. Through haiku, experience Japan’s spirit of wabi-sabi and Zen – a meditative path into harmony between the natural world and the human heart.

In detail

Day 1: Kurobane Haiku and Zen

Accommodation: Three choices of excellent ryokans with onsen (natural hot-spring) in Nasu
Meals: Lunch & Dinner provided
Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nasushiobara (70 min)
11:30 Meet your guide at Nasushiobara Station
12:00 Light lunch and tour briefing with specialty coffee in Kurobane
13:00 Kurobane Basho Walk, museum visit and historic sites
14:45 Unganji Temple visit
16:30 Stay in a traditional Ryokan with onsen in Nasu (2 nights in same Ryokan)

Day 2: Satoyama Paths and Living Legend

Accommodation: Same ryokan as day one
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner provided
9:00 Pick-up from your ryokan
9:30 Sessho-seki (Killing Stone) walk & Michinoku folk craft shop visit
11:30 Guided 15 km e-bike ride through historic villages and countryside
- Ride along 3 km of terraced rice fields
- Visit a hidden bamboo forest and an old willow tree
13:00 Lunch at a farmer’s house with fresh vegetables or Refined seafood lunch served in a private dining room of a long-established local fishmonger (during cycling)
15:30 Organic sake brewery visit and tasting
17:00 Return to your ryokan

Day 3: Edo Roads to Ouchi-juku

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch provided
9:00 Pick-up from your ryokan
10:40 Walk about 1 hour on the historic highway that still preserves the atmosphere of the 17th century
12:30 Explore Ouchi-juku, a post town lined with thatched-roof houses that still preserve its historic atmosphere and enjoy lunch at your own pace
14:00 Drive back to Nasu
15:30 End tour at Nasushiobara station for the Shinkansen return

Your Guide

Location

Nasu is located about 180km north of Tokyo. The nearest train station, Nasushiobara Station can be reached from Tokyo Station in just 70 minutes by the Tohoku Shinkansen.

Meeting and End Point: JR Nasushiobara Station (direct access from Tokyo Station)

Accommodation

Daikokuya

Blending art, wellness, and the quiet beauty of Itamuro Onsen, Daikokuya offers a stay designed to restore both body and mind. Here, true luxury is found in simplicity. The ryokan encourages guests to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and embrace the healing pace of nature.

Wholesome seasonal cuisine celebrates the nourishing flavors of the region, while the historic hot springs have soothed travelers for generations. More than a place to stay, Daikokuya offers a peaceful journey of rest, reflection, and renewal.

Sansuikaku

For nearly a century, Sansuikaku has welcomed guests with the timeless charm of a traditional Japanese ryokan. Set in a beautifully preserved early Showa-era wooden building beside the Imperial Villa, this 13-room inn offers an atmosphere of warmth, simplicity, and genuine hospitality.

The flavors of Nasu are woven into every meal through seasonal kaiseki cuisine, while natural hot springs provide a moment of quiet relaxation. Staying at Sansuikaku is an invitation to experience the enduring spirit of both Nasu and the Japanese ryokan.

More information

FIT / Group	Both
Min. and Max. # of Participants	Min 2 / Max 10
What is Included in the Price	Accommodation, Meals, English speaking knowledgeable guide (including cycling and walking), Entrance and Experience fees for Zen temple, Basho museum, Sake brewery, Ouchi-juku and Rental E-bikes, Transportation between Nasushiobara station, accommodation and activity places including Ouchi-juku, on-site coordination, accident insurance
Duration	3 days
Start/End Time	Start: 11:30am (Day 1) at JR Nasushiobara Station End: 15:30pm (Day 3) at JR Nasushiobara Station Not Available: From Jul to Sep, Dec 20 to Jan 15
Meeting / Departing Point	Meeting Point : JR Nasushiobara Station Departing Point : JR Nasushiobara Station
Notes: dietary restrictions, age limit. etc.	– Please inform us the height of guests’, age, and gender in advance so we can prepare bicycles of the appropriate size. – The Day 2 e-biking route is suitable for healthy guests who can ride bicycles and are at least 150 cm tall. – Please inform us ahead of time if any guests have dietary restrictions or require a hired car, as we may not be able to accommodate these requests on the day of the event. – We also suggest that guests carry some local currency for personal shopping and other expenses, as certain establishments may only accept cash payments.