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Magome - post town in Kiso Valley in Gifu, Japan

Magome (馬籠宿, Magome-juku) is a post town in Gifu. One of the most visited places in the Kiso Valley, Magome has been beautifully restored as an Edo Era post town and stone walkways line the town. Magome served as an important stop on the Nakasendo, a route that connected Tokyo and Kyoto.

Understand

Nakasendo running through Magome Magome, the 43rd post town of the Nakasendo long flourished as a stop for travellers and merchants traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto on the Nakasendo. Travelers were usually forced to walk the Nakasendo by the shogunate during the Edo Period and Magome along with other post towns served as rest points for said travellers. Since then much of the town has been restored to help retain its appearance as an Edo post town though some will argue that it is over embellished and inferior to neighbouring Tsumago which is much more rugged and authentic. Visitors can still walk the Nakasendo and the most popular option is the Magome-Tsumago trail which is still preserved with cobblestone. One of the most important figures in Magome's history is Shimazaki Toson, a Meiji era author whose book "Before the Dawn" describes life in Magome during the Meiji period. Along with Tsumago, Magome is the most visited post town on the Nakasendo and one should expect to see other tourists even during the off-season, however they will mostly be domestic tourists.

Tourist information center

  • Magome Tourist Information Center (馬籠観光案内所, Magome kankōan'naijo), 4300-1 Magome, 35.526559°, 137.567640°, +81 573-69-2336. 08:30-17:00. A visitor center with helpful staff who speak good English, they will forward your luggage to Tsumago for ¥500. 2021-09-12

Get in

By public transport

The only way to access Magome by Public Transport is by bus. Both long and short distance buses service Magome. The most common way to access Magome is by taking a train to Nakatsugawa station (75 min from Nagoya by rapid train, ¥1,340) and then taking the Kitaena Bus M line from Nakatsugawa to Magome (Every 1-2 hrs, 30 min, ¥570). Buses run to the Main Bus Stop 📍 at the southern side of the preserved area. One can also take a taxi from Nakatsugawa Station for ¥3,000. Nakatsugawa Station is located on the JR Chuo Main Line, with direct train services to Nagoya, Nagano and Matsumoto.

Highway buses operating through the area stop at the Chūōdō Magome (中央道馬籠) bus stop on the Chūō Expressway, located at the Misaka Parking Area rest stop (a 15-minute walk to the center of town). Hourly buses from Nagoya to Iida stop here (1 hr 45 min, ¥2,000). JR bus offers a few daily buses from Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station, taking 5-6 hours (¥4,710 from Tokyo Station by day bus, ¥5,800 by night bus). Keio Bus and Meitetsu Bus operate two daily trips from Shinjuku, taking around 4 hours (fares starting at ¥4,900).

On some weekends and holidays, Meitetsu Bus runs one round-trip bus from Nagoya to the center of town. The approximately 2-hour trip leaves Nagoya at 9:20, with the return trip leaving Magome at 15:45 (The bus also continues to nearby Tsumago). The fare is ¥2,500 each way.

By car

The only highway that runs through Magome is Route 19 which connects Nagoya with Nagano. Many other highways run through nearby Nakatsugawa and one will transfer there if coming from any other major city; the nearest car rentals are also in Nakatsugawa.

By plane

The nearest airport to Magome is Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya. There is no direct connection between Nagoya's airport and Magome, so one will have to transfer in Nagoya and travel by either public transport or car to finally arrive at the post town.

Get around

By foot

Because Magome flourished as a post town where travellers would stop while walking from Tokyo to Kyoto, the town is very walkable, much of the towns walking path have been preserved with cobblestone.

By car

You could travel around the city by car, but it's not necessary as most sites are near the Nakasendo, a walking street with no parking spots on it and the short distances encourage walking.

See

Most of the cities attractions are centered around the cities preservation area which is centered around the old Nakasendo.

  • Preservation Area. The preserved area of Magome runs beside the Nakasendo, most tourist sites are in this area and cobblestone streets connect the area. The photogenic streets are one of Magome's biggest tourist draws, and it is a good idea to spend time absorbing the rural atmosphere of the area. Be aware that people still live in the traditional buildings of the area. 2021-09-04

  • Old Official Bulletin Board, 35.52850947668295°, 137.569718397056°. All hours. Just off the Nakasendo, this board was where the shogun would post his orders during the Edo Period. Free 2021-09-05

  • The Preservation AreaShimizuya Museum (清水屋 資料館, Shimizuya shiryōkan), 4284 Magome, 35.52571218567739°, 137.5662846284427°, +81 573-69-2558. 08:00 to 17:00, 08:30 to 16:30 from December to March. Small museums with artifacts from when Magome served as a post town. ¥200 2021-09-05

  • Tōson Memorial Museum (藤村記念館, Tōson kinenkan), 馬籠4256-1, 35.526724°, 137.567392°, +81 573-69-2047. Apr-Nov: 09:00-17:00, Dec-Mar: 09:00-16:00, closed on Wednesday from December-February. Once the honjin of Magome, this former large inn serves as a memorial to the author Shimazaki Tosin and tells stories about his various works. Adult ¥500, child ¥100 2021-08-29

  • Tsuchimaya Shiryokan (槌馬屋資料館), 35.525899207666406°, 137.5666846501421°, +81 573-69-2739. 09:00 to 18:00, closed irregularly during winter, check website for dates. Small museum remembering Toson and displaying artifacts of his family, it also features artifacts from the Meiji Era, which was when most of his early works were published ¥200 2021-09-04

  • Wakihonjin Museum (馬籠脇本陣史料館, Wakihonjin shiryōkan), 4253-1 Magome, 35.526997°, 137.567672°, +81 573-69-2108. 09:00-17:00, closed from December 15 to February. The wakihonjin served as the post town's secondary inn after its honjin, there is now a small museum recounting Magome's history as a post town and features various artifacts from the Edo Era. ¥300 2021-09-04

  • Views of Mount Ena. Mount Ena is one of the tallest mountains in the Central Japan Alps and can be seen from the town, the main area for views of the mountain is the Magome Lookout Point 📍 on the towns northern side and it offers panoramic views of the mountain.

Do

There are very few activities in Magome other than exploring its old town, more activities like onsens and kabuki shows can be found in the much-larger Nakatsugawa.

  • Walk the Magome-Tsumago Trail. Open at all times. Simply follow the Nakasendo north out of Magome and in about 7 km one will arrive at the next post town Tsumago, the trail is still well preserved and an enjoyable trip. Free 2021-09-05

Buy

View of Mount Ena from Magome As it draws many tourists there are many souvenir shops around town most specialize in folk crafts and wagishi, traditional sweets.

Eat

See also: Kiso Valley#Eat

Goheimochi

Most restaurants in Magome are in old buildings in the preserved area, the specialities of Magome are similar to those of the Kiso Valley, with Goheimochi (grilled mochi with sauce) and Soba being found all over the area. Wagishi, traditional Japanese sweets are also sold at many souvenir shops around Magome.

Drink

Although there are no sake breweries based in Magome though some souvenir shops sell sake. Some vendors also set up stalls and sell sake around the Nakasendo.

Sleep

Most accommodation is in traditional buildings in the preserved area though other options can be found at other points on the Nakasendo.

  • Eisho Temple (万福庵 永昌寺, Eishōji), 5358 Magome, 35.526936°, 137.565663°, +81 573-69-2051. Check-in: after 15:00, check-out: before 10:00. Toson's former temple now serves as a Ryokan with Shojin Ryori (Buddhist cuisine). It also offers meditation. Also open to non-overnight guests. ¥15,000 per night, comes with meals 2021-09-11
  • The preservation where most accommodation is.Gaku guesthouse (ゲストハウス学まごめ, Gesutohausu-gaku), 4797-230 Magome (north of preserved area), 35.527978°, 137.560122°, +81 573-69-2011. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. In a former elementary school adapted into a hostel, offers breakfast and yukata. ¥7,500 per person 2021-09-12
  • Guesthouse Nedoko (ゲストハウスねどこ, Gesutohausu nedoko), 4315-1 Magome, 35.527587°, 137.568566°, +81 573-69-2408. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Inn with handmade furniture and both private and shared rooms Toilets and showers are shared, meals are not provided. ¥6400 2021-09-12
  • Motomiya (本三屋), 4944-2 Magome (follow the nakasendo out of Magome towards Nakatsugawa), 35.520352°, 137.560903°, +81 573-69-2158. Check-in: 18:00, check-out: 10:00. Aimed at international guests this guesthouse has free WiFi and air-conditioned rooms, it serves American breakfasts and traditional dinners which are included with the price. ¥8,060 per person 2021-09-11
  • Shin Chaya Ryokan (新茶屋), 5110 Magome (Outside of city center, beside the Nakasendo and between Nakatsugawa and Magome), 35.515445°, 137.550207°, +81 573-69-2619. Check-in: 14:30, check-out: 09:30. Open since 1950 this inn is build in a former tea house and has yukatas for adults to wear at night. ¥9,000 per person with meals, there is an ¥800 fee for solo travellers 2021-09-11
  • Shirokiya (白木屋), 4568-3 Magome, 35.524623°, 137.565806°, +81 573-69-2035. Check-in time: 14:00 Check-out time, 10:00. Minshuku in the preserved area, it serves meal using local ingredients and Goheimochi as dessert. ¥7,000 without meals ¥10,000 with meals 2021-09-11
  • Tajimaya (御宿 但馬屋), 4266 Magome, 35.52596381954026°, 137.56636790281496°, +81 573-69-2048. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Open for more than 120 years in a preserved building, kaiseki meals are included in the price. ¥17,670 for a twin sized room, meals provided 2021-09-12

Connect

Pocket wifi works in the city and the nearest rentals can be found in Nagoya. There are some free wifi rest stops around Magome, most only allow one to connect for 15 minutes.

Go next

Within the Kiso Valley

  • Tsumago, another post town on the Nakasendō, it is usually visited alongside Magome and most visitors access Tsumago by the Magome-Tsumago Trail though there are also buses.
  • Nakatsugawa, city that administers Magome with various attractions both cultural and natural.
  • Narai, the richest post town of the Kiso-Valley.
  • Shiojiri, the northern-most city in the Kiso Valley Also in Chubu
  • Gero Onsen, one of Japan's top onsens.
  • Ina, home to Takato Castle Park, one of japan's top 3 cherry blossom spots.
  • Matsumoto, home to one of Japan's best castles.
  • Nagano, temple town and former Olympic host city.
  • Nagoya, Chubu's largest city south of Magome.
  • Takayama, city with well-preserved post town.
  • Yaotsu, town with museum commemorating the history of Jews in Japan.

Magome-juku

kiso-magome.com
Timezone:MultipleCoordinates:35.52, 137.56