Magome
Magome, a post town in the Kiso Valley, served as a key stopping point for travelers traveling the difficult Nakasendo Trail between Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period. The town's main thoroughfare, a broad stone boulevard lined with charmingly renovated historic buildings, is off-limits to vehicles.
The Magome-Tsumago Trail, a five-mile section of the Nakasendo Trail, is the main reason to visit Magome, aside from admiring beautiful engineering. Before ending at the equally lovely town of Tsumago, this wonderful trail winds through farmland, woodlands, and cascades.
For those who don't wish to walk back to Magome after completing the climb, transportation is available between the two villages and the path is clearly marked in English. The closest train station, JR Nakatsugawa Station, is a 30-minute bus trip away from Magome (570 yen one way). Buses usually leave once every hour (see timetable).
The Magome highway bus station, which is situated in the Misaka parking lot alongside the Chuo Expressway, can also be reached by foot in about 20 minutes. Magome and nearby Tsumago are connected via occasional direct buses (see timetable) or the Magome-Tsumago Hiking Trail, respectively.
- Location: Kiso Valley
