Magome

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
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



 * Kiso-Magome.com is the local tourism association's official bilingual info site.

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 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.

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.


 * Magome 2009 5.JPG
 * Views of . 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 on the towns northern side and it offers panoramic views of the mountain.
 * Views of . 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 on the towns northern side and it offers panoramic views of the mountain.
 * Views of . 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 on the towns northern side and it offers panoramic views of the mountain.
 * Views of . 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 on the towns northern side and it offers panoramic views of the mountain.
 * Views of . 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 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.



Buy
As it draws many tourists there are many souvenir shops around town most specialize in folk crafts and wagishi, traditional sweets.

Eat


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.
 * Magome-juku (post town), 馬籠宿 - panoramio (13).jpg
 * Magome-juku (post town), 馬籠宿 - panoramio (13).jpg

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 Also in Chubu
 * 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
 * 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.