Just a couple-hour train ride from Tokyo, mountainous Nagano Prefecture is often called the roof of Japan. I have called Nagano home for over two decades and have been leading walking tours here since 2017. Launched in early 2025, Mindful Japan Tours provides guided walks in this beautiful upland area with its extensive trails and living traditions.

My tours offer travelers the chance to:

• Encounter glimpses of the sacred on the Ontake Pilgrimage Trail
• Step back in time on the Kiso Valley's historic Nakasendo Trail
• Walk the Zenkoji Kaido Trail in the hills outside Matsumoto with their Buddhist hermit heritage
• Discover the secrets of the Suwa region and its Onbashira festival, one of Japan’s greatest celebrations

And much more. Many of these tours incorporate periods of mindful walking for a fuller experience of the landscapes we encounter. Some also include meditation at historic temples, shinrinyoku (forest bathing), and takigyo (waterfall meditation).

All tours are private, customizable, and offer an immersive experience that bridges the ancient and the modern. As we navigate the historic trails of Nagano, we connect with the region’s unique heritage through slow travel, authentic encounters, and a focus on the local ecology and Japan’s spiritual traditions.

Visit the Mindful Japan Tours website for more details.