Magome

What to know

Magome (馬籠) is a former post town in the Kiso Valley that once served travelers on the Nakasendo, a major feudal route connecting Tokyo and Kyoto.

The town has been beautifully restored, featuring a broad stone walkway lined with wooden buildings and carefully tended foliage. Magome's polished preservation contrasts with the rugged authenticity of neighboring Tsumago. The two towns are linked by the Magome-Tsumago Trail, a section of the original Nakasendo.

While exploring Magome, visitors will encounter the name Shimazaki Toson. Born here in 1872, Toson is a celebrated figure in Japanese literature. In his novel Yoakemae (Before the Dawn), he vividly describes life in the area around the Meiji Restoration. Its often-quoted first line reads: "The whole of the Kisoji lies in the mountains."

Magome is a 30-minute bus ride from JR Nakatsugawa Station (800 yen one way), the nearest train station. Buses run roughly once an hour (see timetable).

Magome can also be reached by a 20-minute walk from the Magome highway bus stop, located in the Misaka parking area along the Chuo Expressway.

Nearby Tsumago can be reached from Magome by infrequent direct buses (see timetable) or by following the Magome-Tsumago Hiking Trail.