Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku tour

Thinking of enjoying a spectacular Japanese traditional landscape surrounded by mountains? We recommend you to visit the "Tsumago-juku" and "Magome-juku". Both places used to be posting stations along the Kiso-ji (part of the Nakasendo Way Trail, a major road, that connected Edo [the present Tokyo] and Kyoto) in the old days. Touring around these sites with a touch of the history will take you back to a century-old world.

Our tour starts from Nagoya. If you are coming from any other cities such as Kyoto or Tokyo, please let us know. We may arrange your itinerary to visit Tsumago and Magome.

Tour Plans

There are two main choices. Hiking tours and sightseeing tours.

Sightseeing tours visit Tsumago and Magome. But we do not walk between Tsumago and Magome.

Hiking tours visit Tsumago and Magome. And of course we walk between Tsumago and Magome. The distance between 2 post towns is about 9 km, 3-hour walk.

Model Itinerary from Nagoya 9-hour hiking plan

It is recommended to bring your own lunch.

You can take bus from Magome to Tsumago if you do not like to walk. In this case, you can take more time in and around Magome-shuku and Tsumago-shuku, and take lunch in Magome-shuku. But the tour price remain same.

Meet our guide in your hotel or Nagoya JR Station
08:00-08:50 Nagoya Station - Nakatsugawa Station by JR Express Shinano 3
09:10-09:35 Nakatsugawa Station - Magome-shuku by bus
09:40-10:40 Tour of Magome-shuku
10:40-14:10 Hike from Magome-shuku to Tsumago-shuku (including lunch time): bus service available for those who do not walk.
14:10-15:20 Tour of Tsumago-shuku
15:25-15:35 Tsumago-shuku (Tsumagobashi bus stop) - Nagiso Station by bus
15:56-17:07 Nagiso Station - Nagoya Station by JR Express Shinano 16

Price includes all transportation during the tour from Nagoya Station (train and bus), a guide and sales tax. Meals and admissions are not included.

It is possible to hire a car from Nagoya Station instead of train/bus. It is also possible to meet our guide in Nakatsugawa Station if you have your own means of transport. Please inquire.

Also, it is possible to hire a car from Nagoya. For prices, please check "Magome and Tsumago sightseeing tours by car" below. In hiking tours, you just pass Magome and Tsumago towns. There is not enough time for sightseeing.

If you like to take a guided Magome-Tsumago trail walk, please contact us. Name of this tour is "Magome-Tsumago hiking".

Magome and Tsumago sightseeing tours by car

Visit both Magome and Tsumago post towns from Nagoya by car. Sedan (hired taxi) for 1-3 pax, Alphard for 1-5px, mini-bus, and large bus are available. Pick-up service available at your hotel in Nagoya City.

Typical itinerary

8:00-9:30 Drive from Nagoya to Magome
9:30-11:30 Explore Magome
11:30-12:00 Move from Magome to Tsumago
12:00-14:30 Tsumago. Take lunch and explore Tsumago
14:30-16:00 Drive back to Nagoya

Price of the tour largely depending on the type and size of the car. Please inquire.

Typical prices are

1) sedan (1-3 pax) from 107,500 yen
2) Toyota Alphard (1-5 pax) from 114,000 yen

Prices include a car with driver, a English-speaking guide, highway tolls, and parking fees. Meals, admissions, etc. are not included.

If you like to visit Magome and Tsumago by car, please contact us. Name of this tour is "Magome-Tsumago by car".

Magome and Tsumago sightseeing tours by train

Visit both Magome and Tsumago post towns from Nagoya by public transport.

Price includes all transportation during the tour from Nagoya Station (train and bus), a guide and sales tax. Meals and admissions are not included.

Typical itinerary

Meet our guide in your hotel or Nagoya JR Station
09:00-10:18 Nagoya Station - Nagiso Station by JR Express Shinano 5
10:40-10:48 Nagiso Station - Tsumagobashi bus stop by bus
10:48-12:49 Tour of Tsumago-shuku and lunch
12:49-13:10 Move from Tsumago (Omatabashi bus stop) to Magome (Jinba bus stop) by bus
13:10-14:50 Tour of Tsumago-shuku
14:50-15:15 Magome - Nakatsugawa Station by bus
16:10-17:07 Nakatsugawa Station - Nagoya Station by JR Express Shinano 16

If you like to visit Magome and Tsumago by car, please contact us. Name of this tour is "Magome-Tsumago by train".

Tsumago-juku

Half century ago, many of the good old Japanese towns were disappearing. Despite such trend, Tsumago-juku has been maintaining its traditional ambience ever since the Edo period. Step in to the town, and you will sense how the travelers in the history moved from one place to another while taking a rest at the Shukuba-machi (posting station village).

Nagaya (row house) at Tsumago

Some of the Nagaya houses are not just for observing from outside, but allow you to go inside. Nagaya is a typical house of ordinary people in the Edo period.

Tsumago's Kosatsu-ba

Kosatsu-ba is a bulletin board on which bans, laws and regulations for people to be aware of and to observe were posted. (What you see today is a restored object.)

Mountain stream around Tsumago

Tsumago-juku is in a mountainous village where streams run through. The natural resources in addition to the old traditional village scape make this area attractive. Each season of the year shows its own beauty. The green shoots of the trees and plants in spring, fresh green leaves in early summer, colored leaves of the autumn, and the snowy landscape during winter. Staying overnight in this area and having a walk from Tsumago-juku to Magome-juku would make your trip perfect if you have enough time to spend.

Restaurants and shops at Tsumago

Restaurants that serve the traditional local food including the Soba (buckwheat noodles) and Gohei-mochi stand along the road in Tsumago. Souvenir shops dealing with the region's handcrafts draw travelers' attention. Craftsmen's handmade wooden artworks are pleasing that you will enjoy just by observing them.

Important cultural asset, Waki-honjin Okuya

The Waki-honjin Okuya, an important cultural asset, is a complete Hinoki cypress wood architecture which was built approximately 140 years ago. It was once visited by Emperor Meiji (the great grandfather of the present Emperor), making it a prestigious place.

A traditional fireplace. The way the sunlight shines in is alluring. The Hinoki cypress wood shows a lacquer-like shiny aspect after being exposed to smoke for long and being polished by the resident of the house. In winter, you will see how the snow covers the tiny yet beautiful garden through the glass windows in the guest room. Enjoy the splendid atmosphere.

Magome-juku

Travel 8 kilometers south from Tsumago-juku and you will be at Magome-juku, the next posting station over a mountain. This Shukuba was formed along a mountain slope, which makes it unique as you will not see this kind of Shukuba in other areas of the country.

Eating and walking around in Magome

Soba (buckwheat noodles) and the Gohei-mochi, typical food of mountain villages, are recommendable.

Folk handicraft of Magome

We strongly suggest you to see the wooden handicrafts made by the local professionals. The region is well-known for producing fine quality wood, thus skills and techniques to make traditional crafts using wood have been developed. Many of the products are not just an art object, but can be used as daily commodities for a long period. Combs are a recommended souvenir for women. It is popular for not causing static electricity and keeping your hair silky.

Ochiai-no Ishi-datami

Travel down for around 2 kilometers from the Magome-juku to see the ancient cobbled street called the "Ochiai-no Ishi-datami", a part of old-day Nakasendo Way. Walking along the stone path in a quiet mountain forest is so relaxing. If the sunlight shines in through the tree leaves, you will be able to imagine how the travelers in the old days felt like.

Kijishi-no-sato Yamaich

If you are interested in traditional craft work, visit the "Kijishi-no-sato" which is in a 10 kilometer-distance from Tsumago-juku, where wood turning craftsmen gather.

The "Nagiso Rokuro-zaiku", a traditional craft work in this region uses spinning wheel to grind wood and make products. Its technique has been passed down over a thousand years. Each product is beautiful, yet practical. Do not miss the chance to see the fascinating skills and technique of the local professionals, which are reflected onto the artwork.

At the Kijishi-no-sato Yamaichi, you can participate in one of the workshops. Why not make your masterpiece as a souvenir of your trip?

If you are interested in our Nakasendo tour guide programs, please contact us.