We take a day trip from Matsumoto to Narai-juku, a historic post town along the Nakasendo Trail, an ancient route that once connected Kyoto and Edo. Edo is the former name of Tokyo. During winter, the snow on the surrounding hills is too deep, making the trail unsuitable for hiking. The train journey from Matsumoto to Narai-juku takes just under an hour, making the village an ideal destination for a day trip. At the station, a friendly elderly man welcomes us with a map of the area.
We follow the street through the town. Small wooden houses line the narrow main street, with handicrafts for sale inside, although most of the restaurants are still closed. We encounter only a handful of visitors and quickly realise that we’ve arrived during the low season. Winter, snow and cold temperatures keep most visitors away from Japan in January. That makes the country a perfect destination for anyone who doesn’t mind frozen toes and a down jacket.
Inside one of the houses, we find a small, quaint café serving matcha lattes and matcha pastries. The steaming kettle on top of the gas heater helps keep us warm as we sit inside, watching the few people passing by before they hurry off to catch the next train to Matsumoto.
When we leave the café, we’re the only ones left on the main street, and we hurry towards the train station. The train takes us back to Matsumoto, winding its way through the scenic Kiso Valley, with spectacular views of mountains, dense forests and rivers along the way.
