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Hiking in Kiso Valley visiting Magome and Tsumago, old post-towns
You will be like a traveler of the Edo period (1600 to 1867) walking the natural trail between two old post-towns, Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku in the Kiso valley. You will feel the energy of the nature, hearing the leaves rustling in the breeze and the stream murmuring nearby. You will feel Japanese culture, history and the way of living of the villagers in the Edo period. The guide will tell you the legends of the area. You will enjoy local food for your lunch as well.
Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku lie in the Kiso-ji path of the old Nakasendo highway, surrounded by deep mountains. The Kiso valley region is located almost halfway between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. The old Nakasendo highway was constructed in the Edo period. It linked Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto (532km). Tsumago and Magome developed as post-towns of the old Nakasendo to support the feudal system. The Kiso-ji path saw a lot of travelers, the processions of Daimyo (the feudal lords) and their princesses to go to and come from Edo (Tokyo).
The distance between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku is about 9 km and it takes about three hours and thirty minutes if you walk the whole distance.
The path is uphill all the way to get to the Magome Pass and it will take one hour and thirty minutes. At the pass the trail goes gently downhill through the forest.
In this tour, you can take a bus to get up to the Magome Pass instead of the hard uphill walking. Your pleasant hiking will start from the Magome Pass. You will walk the best part of the natural trail through the woods to get down to Tsumago-juku. (about 2 hours walking).
On the way to get to Tsumago-juku, you might want to stop by at an old tea house which was built in the Edo period to take a rest and enjoy fresh air by the waterfalls for a while.
In Magome-juku, you can see Toson's Memorial Museum if time permitted.
In Tsumago-juku, you will stroll around Terashita district which remains the atmosphere of the Edo period a lot. Then you will see Wakihonjin (The secondary official inn for traveling feudal dignitaries and Honjin (The officially appointed inn for traveling feudal dignitaries) if time permitted.
If you want to walk the whole distance, from Magome-juku to Tsumago-juku or from Tsumago-juku to Magome-juku, earlier start is recommended. Please consult with your guide.
Please feel free to ask the guide any questions.
Meeting Point
At JR Nakatsugawa station, JR Nagiso station, JR Nagoya station or at your inn (if you stay at the inn in Magome-juku or Tsumago-juku on the previous day).
Magome-juku (old post-town)
Toson's Memorial Museum in Magome if time permitted.
Magome-toge (Magome Pass)
Male and Female Waterfalls
Tsumago-juku (old post-town)
Terashita district in Tsumago-juku (The district which remains old houses and the lane of the Edo period).
Waki Honjin Okuya of Tsumago-juku (a subsidiary inn for travelling feudal dignitaries) if time permitted.
Honjin (the officially appointed inn for travelling feudal lords, court nobles) if time permitted.
Ending Point
At JR Nagiso station, JR Nakatsugawa station, JR Nagoya station or at your inn (if you stay the night of the tour at the inn in Tsumago-juku or Magome-juku).
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee is included.
Transportation fee is not included.
The basic plan for this tour: This tour starts at JR Nakatsugawa station and ends at JR Nagiso station. The meeting point is at JR Nakatsugawa station at 11:00.
Here are some options:
In case the meeting point is Nagoya station and we take a limited express train to Nakatsugawa station, the meeting time is 7:30. At Nakatsugawa, we will take a bus to get to Magome-juku.
If you have a JR pass, you can get on Shinano limited express train using the JR pass without paying any extra money. Please pay just the guide transportation fee.
If you don't have a JR pass, you have to buy a JR train ticket.The fare is 3220 yen (about 26 USD)---(Ordinary train ticket 1320 yen plus limited express train reserved seat ticket 1900 yen for one way).
If you want to buy non reserved seat, the JR train fare is 2500 yen (about 20 USD).---(Ordinary train ticket 1320 yen plus limited express train non reserved ticket 1180 yen for one way).
In case the meeting point is at Nagoya station and we take a rapid train to Nakatsugawa, the meeting time is 7:20. The train fare is just 1320 yen (about 11 USD).
In case the meeting point is JR Nagiso station, please consult with your guide.
In case the meeting point is at JR Nagoya station and we take an intercity bus , it takes about 80 minutes to get to Magome and the bus fare is 1860yen (about 17 USD). We have to walk about 15 minutes to get to the entrance of Magome. Your guide will book the bus ticket for you. To return to Nagoya, you have to take a JR train, as there is no bus to return.
In the Kiso-ji area, the local bus fare will be about 1000 yen (about 8 USD).
You can enjoy the museums there if time permitted. The museum entrance fee will be about 700 yen (about 6 USD).
Your lunch is also not included.
Please feel free to ask your guide any questions.
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
Nagano Tour Reviews
Benson F.
The Panoramic View of Gifu Castle and its town.
Customized
“Sites in Nagoya, Inuyama Castle & festival, Gifu ”
Very professional with all sorts of detailed knowledge on the subject areas, historical and cultural, some of which are from her own studies and research. We have greatly enjoyed the three days of tour with Rumiko.
Rumiko K.
(8 reviews)Hello Benson. I really appreciate your great and swift review. You are very active and energetic ,which I truly admire. The tour went very smoothly thanks to you, even though it was a bit early to see cherry blossoms. As it was quite cold and cherry trees came into bloom later than usual in Nagoya this year. I hope you could enjoy seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom in Ueno Park, as you mentioned. Please come and visit here again someday . With best regards . Rumiko
Alan K.
Inuyama Castle and castle town plus Nagoya Sightseeing, Eating and Shopping
“Dedicated, meticulous and conscientious tour guide”
Rumiko is extremely helpful! She provided recommendations on hotels prior to the trip and even help make reservations for bus tickets for our trip to Nagoya! She put in lots of effort to plan for our itinerary as we were towing a 5 year old boy for the trip. She ensured that our two days with her were fun enough for adults and kid - she prepared quizzes and stories about the places of interest to keep our little one engaged throughout the two days. She is very knowledgeable about the history of Gifu and Nagano and Japan in general. Wonderful guide and strongly recommend her for anyone who wishes to have a good guide.
Rumiko K.
(8 reviews)Arigato Gozaimasu, Alan. Thank you very much for your great review. I am happy you and your family enjoyed my tours around Nagoya , one tour to visit Inuyama Castle ( National treasure , the oldest castle in Japan ) and Gifu Castle with a panoramic view, on top of the mountain. The other tour to visit Magome and Tsumago (old post-towns in Kiso valley). it was very pleasant to walk with you and your wonderful family. I hope each scene will remain in your heart as a memory of Japan. Please have a good and safe fly back to your country . Hoping to see you someday again . Arigato Gozaimashita . With best regards. Rumiko
“Beautiful Nagoya”
We had a wonderful experience in Nagoya with Rumiko as our guide. She came in very prepared and made sure my kids will enjoy and learn a lot of things about the places we visited. She surely knows how to entertain kids, elderly and us. Overall, she made our tour worthwhile and fun. I will definitely recommend her to my friends and relatives visiting Nagoya.
Rumiko K.
(8 reviews)Dear Alicia and your wonderful family. Thank you very much for choosing Nagoya and my tour. As the tour was held at the end of the year, there were few sightseeing spots to visit. Most of the places were closed on the day. We went to Gifu Castle, which is open all through the year. I am very happy to hear you and your family enjoyed the tour. Hoping to guide you in and around Nagoya again someday. With best wishes, Rumiko.
