Discover Authentic Japan in Tsumago & Magome, Nakasendo
You hike an old highway Nakasendo strolling through two post-towns. Magome & Tsumago. Strolling around well-preserved popular post towns takes you back to nostalgic Japan. The moment you enter these towns, you will feel as if you are in a time warp back in the Edo period, where local people spend their daily lives as well as welcoming tourists, preserving buildings and the landscape. You also enjoy hiking an old trekking route through mountains.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At the hotel or JR Nagoya Station
- After arriving at the JR Nagoya station, guests buy tickets for both guests and guide.
JR Nagoya station
You leave Nagoya by the limited express SHINANO No.3 and arrive at Nakatsgawa at 8:50.
Magome-juku
Walk through Magome-juku and enjoy having a nice view from the observation point.
Magome Mountain Pass
The pass is the highest point in the hiking route and you could take a short break.
Male and Female Waterfall
This is an oasis with a romantic episode about a legendary sword-master Miyamoto Musashi.
Tsumago-juku
After late lunch break, visitors stroll around a traditional town and see a nostalgic townscape which consists of wooden houses. Wakihonjin-Okuya is one of the typical buildings in which the Meiji emperor stayed. It is open for everyone to visit and enjoy walking through rooms and seeing valuable antique goods, while listening to a detailed explanation by a local guide in English.
JR Nagiso station
You leave Nagiso station by Shinano No.15 at 15:56
JR Nagoya station
Ending Point
At JR Nagoya Station
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
hotel pick-up
transportation fee about 7000yen/person (you and guide),
lunch about 2000yen/person (you and guide)
entrance fee 400yen/person for you
*It will cost about 10000yen/person in total.
Tour Important Information
As this hiking tour is moving through mountain path, we might have to change the itinerary or transportation depending on the conditions of weather;
Tsumago-juku is one of the traditional post-towns of the Nakasendo highway. In the 1960s, this small town was on the verge of deterioration and about to lose its unique features because of development in the wake of modernization. However, it revived through citizen’s preservation movement and was designated as one of the Important Traditional Buildings Preservation Areas by the government.
When you feel hungry or thirsty, some cozy restaurants and sweet shops will satisfy your appetite. My recommendations are Gohei-mochi with green tea or handmade buckwheat noodles, Soba, with Sake. Gohei-mochi is a soft rise-cake with sweet soy-bean paste. You might get hooked on its simple and delicious taste that you’ve never experienced before.
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Important message from the supplier
I can guide in Kyoto in case you support transportation fee.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Tetsuji Y.
Hello everyone. I am Tetsuji. I worked as a public servant in the local government for 35 years. I belonged to the department of Redevelopment, Town-Landscaping, Preserving historical areas and Architectural Guidance. (I have a national 1st-class architect license.) I devoted myself to revitalizing the city by making plans and improving infrastructure for citizens.
Gifu is located in central Japan near Nagoya. As just being the crossroads of the West and the East, there are many unique attractions that are hard to discover in hectic big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. I had a hand in restoring and preserving some of them throughout my career and want to introduce them to tourists from abroad. That’s why I became a guide-interpreter in Gifu.
I also enjoyed traveling around the world. My favorite part of each trip was walking around the city and talking with local residents. Traveling has taught me lots of things during my lifetime. Now, I would like to help others have similar experience in Japan. Shall we enjoy fantastic journey in Gifu?
Reviews
Judy F.
“A Beautiful Rainy Day Experience with Mr. Tetsuji Y”
Yesterday, we were very fortunate to have Mr Tetsuji guide us for the day on his Bushido tour. He's enthusiasm and knowledge of the history of the National treasures and traditions of his country were infectious and wonderful to experience. I thought Inuyama castle complex and the Seki sword museum, would be the highlight of my visit, and both were awesome not to be missed visits... But what was truly breath taking was the exhibit at the Washi Akari Art Museum in Mino. A little off the regular tourist path but it's a not to be missed experience. I highly recommend having Mr Tetsuji as your guide and let him show you those hidden gems of the area. Thank you Mr Tetsuji for hosting us and allowing us to experience the joy and pride you have for your country's beautiful culture and rich history. Best Regards Judy and Craig F.
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Tetsuji Y.
I am very glad to know that you are well satisfied with my tour describing a high evaluation. Thank you so much. Actually, I was concerned about whether the weather might make your spirits low. However, you seemed to have been happy enjoying my tour all the way. I love the title 'A beautiful Rainy Days Experience'. I feel happy to have guided such a nice couple and hope to have a trip with you again someday.
Nenu S.
“Wonderful tour ”
Tetsuji Y, was very informative and helpful tour guide. We really enjoyed our tour of Takayama.
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Tetsuji Y.
Thank you so much for nice feedback about my tour. I hope you will be back to Japan with your kids and share pleasant time in Gifu again.
Devon S.
“Mostly Excellent ”
Overall Tetsuji san was an excellent guide. He showed up punctually and was very knowledgeable of the area. He was able to answer our questions and showed us around in a very efficient manner. We went to the observatory, 2 different gassho houses, shrine, and the river. We also enjoyed the restaurant he reserved for lunch. His English was not native level, but more than competent for 4 Americans. We didn't have any issues communicating. He was also very personable. The only drawback was that he wanted to take us to a cafe, but it was too busy so we skipped it. This led to the tour ending about an hour early. This caused half the group to walk around some more by themselves for about 45 mins, while the other half waited at the bus stop.
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Tetsuji Y.
Thank you very much for nice review including detailed evaluation. I only regrettably feel sad that I didn't help you to enjoy relaxing in a cafe sipping tea of coffee. However, I am glad to know that you are mostly satisfied with my tour. If you have a chance to visit central Japan again, I would like to guide you to other attractive tourist destinations.
$113/ per group
More tours by Tetsuji Y.
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One-day-tour of Shirakawa-go
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One-day-tour of Shirakawa-go
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Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour
Takayama is a formal capital town in a mountainous area. The tour includes some healing spots in addition to popular highlights like Miyagawa Morning Market, Higashiyama Walking, Old Town and Hida-Furukawa. I'm sure you’ll be able to see why Takayama mesmerizes tourists so much through this tour.
Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour
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Cormorant fishing viewing on the Nagaragawa River
Gifu Castle standing on the Mt.Kinka provides visitors with nice panoramic views day and night. You also enjoy watching a traditional unique event Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River while eating dinner in a viewing boat. Sir Charlie Chaplin visited Gifu twice to enjoy this unique traditional event. Besides, a photogenic street Kawara-machi and the Great Buddha statue in Shoboji-temple move you so much.
Cormorant fishing viewing on the Nagaragawa River
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Handmade paper Mino-Washi and traditional swords of SEKI
You enjoy two distinctive fields of Japanese culture by visiting two small towns in one day trip. The one is Mino which is famous for Japanese hand-made paper Washi. Another one is Seki famous for Japanese-swordsmith. Strolling around two towns, you will learn some of secrets of cool Japan.
Handmade paper Mino-Washi and traditional swords of SEKI
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Gifu
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Walk the Samurai Road (Nakasendo Trail) from Magome to Tsumago
Magome and Tsumago-juku still remain nestled in the mountains today. Having escaped modern development, their streetscapes preserve the strong atmosphere of the Edo period. On this tour, you will walk from Magome to Tsumago along mountain trails lined with hinoki cypress trees that have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. The sacred fragrance of hinoki, the gentle sound of flowing streams, and the songs of wild birds will softly welcome you along the way.
Walk the Samurai Road (Nakasendo Trail) from Magome to Tsumago
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Local classic train-ride and silk-screen printing in Gujo
Gujo is an old castle town, where holds bon-dancing every summer. You also enjoy dancing together! Local classic train takes you to such a nostalgic town. You also enjoy the beautiful scenery of clean river and mountains from the window during the train-ride. In the town, you enjoy the castle on top of the hill, clean canal with some colored carps and silk-screen printing. Please come to Gujo-Hachiman in Gifu!!
Local classic train-ride and silk-screen printing in Gujo
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The exploration tour to the site of the Battle of Sekigahara
Do you know “the Battle of Sekigahara” ? If you are a Japanese samurai fun, I think you have heard of it and the Battle field is must-see! Why don’t you come with me to the memorial site in Sekigahara where the greatest field battle in Japanese history was taken place. Why don’t you come with me and let’s find out what happened in a tiny village central Japan 420 years ago?
The exploration tour to the site of the Battle of Sekigahara
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Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour
Takayama is a formal capital town in a mountainous area. The tour includes some healing spots in addition to popular highlights like Miyagawa Morning Market, Higashiyama Walking, Old Town and Hida-Furukawa. I'm sure you’ll be able to see why Takayama mesmerizes tourists so much through this tour.
Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour
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