Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Walking Japan's Edo-Era Postal Towns of Magome and Tsumago
A long time ago in Japan, people traveled between two big cities, Kyoto and Tokyo, on a road called the Nakasendo.
Along this road, there were special towns where travelers could rest and sleep.
Two of these towns, Magome and Tsumago, are still around today and look much like they did hundreds of years ago.
A path of about 8 kilometers connects the two towns, and people can walk it just like old travelers did.
On the way, you can see two waterfalls called Otaki and Metaki.
The towns have old wooden houses and inns that keep the old-time feeling.
Bears still live in the nearby mountains, so there is a bell you can ring to keep them away.
People usually visit from April to November, when the weather is good for hiking.
Magome and Tsumago are preserved Edo-era post towns along the nearly 500-km Nakasendo highway that connected Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo).
An 8-km hiking trail links the two towns, passing the Otaki and Metaki waterfalls before descending into Tsumago.
Travellers reach the area by Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya, then a train to Nakatsugawa and a local bus into the Kiso Valley.
Tsumago remains a functioning, lived-in town with wooden inns, lattice-fronted homes and concealed power lines.
The writer stayed in a traditional ryokan and continued 3.5 km on foot to Nagiso Station before catching a train toward Kyoto.
- Who
- A traveller exploring Japan's Kiso Valley post towns; historically, merchants, pilgrims, samurai and feudal lords used the route.
- What
- A walking journey between the preserved postal towns of Magome and Tsumago along the Nakasendo highway.
- When
- The article describes a current journey; the Nakasendo served travelers during the Edo period, and the best visiting time is April to November.
- Where
- The Kiso Valley in Japan, along the trail between Magome and Tsumago and onward to Nagiso Station.
- Why
- To experience the history of Japan's old postal towns by walking the roads that once connected them.
- Route
- Magome to Tsumago, an 8-km trail
- Historic highway
- Nakasendo, nearly 500 km, connecting Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo)
- Best time to visit
- April to November
- How to reach
- Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya, train to Nakatsugawa, then a 30-minute local bus
- Walk to station
- 3.5 km from Tsumago to Nagiso Station
- What to eat
- Grilled local fish, hot pot items, oyaki and pickles
- What to wear
- Hiking clothes, comfortable shoes and a hat
- Scenic stops
- Otaki and Metaki waterfalls