Uncover Japan’s Secrets
— One Hike, One Shrine, One Story at a Time
Looking for a deeper way to explore Japan?
Most visitors stick to the well-worn tourist trail—Tokyo, Kyoto, maybe a glimpse of Mount Fuji. But if you’re craving something more—misty forest trails, quiet mountain villages, and authentic moments with locals—you’ve just found it. Nagano is just one easy train ride from Tokyo—whether you’re heading to Nagano City or Matsumoto City—making it the perfect starting point for a deeper, more personal journey through Japan.
Hikyaku Adventures offers private, custom-made tours for travelers who want to go beyond the ordinary. Based in the heart of Nagano, surrounded by the Japanese Alps, we guide small groups and solo travelers through Japan’s hidden nature, historic roads, and cultural treasures.
What is a Hikyaku?
The word Hikyaku (飛脚) refers to the long-distance messengers of Japan’s Edo period—endurance runners who carried important messages between regions, traversing mountains and ancient highways. Like them, Hikyaku Adventures is all about meaningful journeys through Japan’s natural and cultural landscapes—at a human pace, and with a personal touch.
I’m Sjaak (pronounced “Shaak”), the founder, guide, and storyteller behind every tour. I speak Japanese fluently—a skill I developed through years of living in Japan and majoring in Japanese language and culture at university. I also speak Dutch, my native language, and English. Based in Nagano, I personally design each trip to match your pace, your interests, and your curiosity.
This isn’t group tourism.
No buses. No flags. No fixed routes. Just private tours and outdoor experiences tailored to you—whether you’re a nature lover, culture seeker, or just want to see a side of Japan most never do.
Along the way, you’ll learn the etiquette and customs that matter here—like how to respectfully visit a shrine or enjoy a traditional meal—so that you’re not just seeing Japan, but truly experiencing it.
Curious about the person guiding your adventure?
[Meet Your Guide]
Wondering what makes Nagano one of Japan’s best-kept secrets?
[Explore Nagano]
Ready to see how it all works?
[How It Works]
Or want to start planning your own unforgettable journey?
[Take The First Step]
Where is Nagano? And how do I get there?
Tours with Hikyaku Adventures take place all over Nagano. But, when talking about Nagano, we generally talk about the prefecture of Nagano, prefecture is similar to a province or state. Within Nagano prefecture the main cities people visit are: Nagano City and Matsumoto City.
Nagano is a pretty big prefecture with a lot of mountains, thus access from Tokyo is one of two ways and it more depends on whether you are going to Nagano City or Matsumoto City, but they both have a direct line from Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station.