The Nakasendo Way in Japan | Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku

Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku are two post towns located on the border between Gifu and Nagano prefectures in central Japan. They were important stations on the ancient Nakasendo Way. The Nakasendo Way is an old road that connects Edo and Kyoto, with dozens of stations along the way. Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku are two of the most famous stations that remain today. These two Edo-era stations make up the best-preserved historical district of the Nakasendo Way. Magome's most famous attractions are the Magome-juku Honjin and the Toson Shimazaki Memorial Museum. Magome-juku has two entrances, an upper entrance and a lower entrance, located at either end of this winding mountain road. Both entrances have bus stops and parking lots. The waterwheel and the constant night light are symbols of this small town. Unlike Magome-juku, Tsumago-juku is quieter and retains more of its original old houses. There are no modern buildings here, making it a great place to take photos. Tsumago-juku is Japan's first Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, preserving the streetscape of the Edo period. One-day trip itinerary: Nagoya➡️Nakatsugawa➡️Magome-juku➡️Tsumago-juku➡️Nagiso➡️Nagoya