2025 Nakatsugawa Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

#fallcolors Visiting Nakatsugawa in October is a wonderful experience, as the town and surrounding areas transform into a beautiful palette of autumn colors. Nestled in the Kiso Valley, Nakatsugawa is a charming town that serves as a gateway to the historic Nakasendo Road. In October, the crisp air and vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves make it the perfect time for hiking, especially along the scenic trails between Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku. The fall foliage enhances the already stunning landscapes, and the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. ‼️We visited Nakatsugawa during the first week of October, and the leaves on the trees were just beginning to take on the beautiful colors of autumn. #traveljapan #japan #100waysoftravel

This is a restaurant where you can eat grilled salted trout and sashimi set meals while looking at the beautiful emerald green river nearby. You can walk from the parking lot to Iwana no Satosa by crossing a suspension bridge, but if you don't cross the suspension bridge and instead climb a little higher, there is a place where you can look down on the river and suspension bridge from above, which is a very beautiful and recommended photo spot 📷 　 ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥୨୧ Location: Iwana no Satosa Address: 258-15 Tsukechi-cho, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture Access: About 40 minutes by car from Nakatsugawa IC Parking: Available (free) ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ #Gifu #Gifu sightseeing #Gifu nature #Nature #Breathtaking views #Relaxing spots #Lush greenery #River #Photo spots 2024

Fudo Falls in Gifu Prefecture is a waterfall that stands in the middle of beautiful nature. The powerful waterfall and the clear, green river are a beautiful spot for taking pictures. You can feel the negative ions and it was very cool even in the heat of September. ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ Location: Fudo Falls Location: Tsukechi-cho, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture Access: About 40 minutes by car from Nakatsugawa IC Parking: Available (free) ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ #Gifu #Gifu Tourism #Fudo Falls #Gifu Nature #Waterfall #Nature #Breathtaking View #Relaxing Spot #Lush Greenery #Photo Spot 2024

Kannon Falls is located further inland from Fudo Falls in Gifu, and you can reach it by crossing two narrow suspension bridges with a maximum capacity of three people. The footing is a little rough, but you can see the magnificent waterfall and it's a recommended photo spot. ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ Location: Kannon Falls Location: Tsukechi-cho, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture Access: About 40 minutes by car from Nakatsugawa IC Parking: Available (free) ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ #Gifu #Gifu Tourism #Kannon Falls #Gifu Nature #Waterfall #Nature #Breathtaking View #Relaxing Spot #Lush Greenery #Photo Spot 2024

Gifu Prefecture, Nakatsugawa City - A natural wonder created by nature, Ryujin Falls ☑️ Originating from Mount Okumikai at an altitude of 1810.6m in the Central Alps! A natural spectacle with multiple waterfalls formed by the rapid currents! ☑️ A waterfall that changes color seven times a day! Designated as one of Gifu Prefecture's famous waters, Ryujin Falls is said to change color seven times a day and is believed to be home to a white dragon! The cobalt blue basin is mystical! ☑️ Located within the Yuumori Campground! Ryujin Falls is the lowest waterfall, located within the Yuumori Campground, with well-maintained walking paths, making it an easily accessible spot! ☑️ Colorful light-ups during the season! Many people visit to cool off in the evening, making it a popular night spot as well! Great for Gifu travel and sightseeing! 📍 Ryujin Falls 1057-2 Kawakami, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, 509-9201

I went to #Ryujin Falls in #Nakatsugawa City, #Gifu Prefecture (((((((っ･ω･)っ It is one of the #50 Best Waters in Gifu, and is a mysterious waterfall with a beautiful deep blue basin where the legend of the dragon god remains✿ﾟ❀.(*´▽`*)❀.ﾟ✿ It is full of negative ions, so it is recommended when you want to feel nature ( '-^ )b It is a waterfall with a mysterious atmosphere, and when you cross the bridge, it feels strange somehow (。-∀-) smirk I want to spend a relaxing time without thinking about anything and just feel nature (*˘ᗜ˘*) #Tourism #Shinobi-chan

📍Ryujin Falls, Gifu Ryujin Falls is one of the 50 best waters in Gifu Prefecture. It is said to be a power spot with high transparency and changes color seven times a day, from cobalt blue to emerald blue. It is said that a white dragon lives in this waterfall, and there is a walking path up to the waterfall with a drop of 12 meters, so you can enjoy the deep blue of the waterfall basin from close by! ... I visited in the summer, but it's a spot where you can see colorful scenery all year round, including fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery ♡ ※We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes 👞 Add excitement to your daily life: 🌙 📍Ryujin Falls, Gifu📮 Kawakami, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture (inside Yumori Park) 🚗 About 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Nagoya Station Fee: Free #Sakura2024 #GifuTrip #GifuTourism #DomesticTrip #PowerSpot #Gifu

#GifuTrip #AmazingView #Gourmet #SummerShortTrip #EnjoyNature #UnexploredLand #RiverFish #SuspensionBridge #DriveTrip #NakatsugawaCity Visiting Sasa, the Village of Iwana It takes more than two hours by car from Gifu city, but the color of the river is just as shown in the picture! No photo editing. You can't get to Sasa without crossing the suspension bridge. The suspension bridge can only accommodate three people, so you have to cross in order after the first person gets off. Sasa, the Village of Iwana There is a parking lot for about 20 cars. Reservations are not accepted. There is a long line on weekends and holidays. Opens from 11:00, but if you are ready early, you can be seated before opening. We ordered the Hontani Set Meal with Roast Beef for 3,000 yen including tax. The Sasa Set Meal without Roast Beef is 2,500 yen. After eating, we soaked our feet in the cold river water and enjoyed a forest bath. The sound of the clear water and the mountain breeze will calm your mind. Please come and experience the extraordinary beauty of nature and enjoy trout and wild vegetable dishes. It will refresh your mind.

I love this place very much!! It is very beautiful, having ancient vibes and more importantly not many tourists around. There is a wide viewing platform. The shops, even restaurants, are mostly closed by 5pm. As suggested by the hostel, I had dinner at one eatery and tried sukiyaki. It is a Japanese dish with beef, vegetables, tofu and noodles with sake in the sweet sauce. Worthy to try!

#wecreate This is at the Magome end of the Magome- Tsumago trail which is also known as the Nakasendo trail. This route runs along the Kiso Valley and connected Tokyo with Kyoto during the Edo Period. It was mostly used by merchants. It is about 8 kilometers long and takes approximately 2-3 hours to walk at a leisurely pace. However, I took around 4-5 hours to complete 🤭There are small shophouses at the magome end and nice soba~ There are some good views along the trail that you can enjoy ~

In the past, when there were no railways, people who wanted to travel across the vast land of Japan could only rely on horse-drawn carriages. Because the distances to travel were very long, post stations were created to provide a place for people traveling between the north and the south to rest. In ancient times, there were several main roads for people to travel. Among them, Nakasendo, which started at Nihonbashi in Tokyo and ended at Sanjo in Kyoto, was one of the main roads. There are 69 post stations along the route, and Magome-juku in Gifu Prefecture is the 43rd post station. It is a good choice for traveling together with nearby Tsumago-juku. With the rise of railways, most of the lodgings have fallen into disrepair, and a few have been transformed into tourist attractions.

Magome-juku is one of the famous tourist spots in central Japan. Magome-juku is located in Nakagawa City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and is the remains of an ancient Japanese post road inn. Magome-juku was the main artery connecting Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period, and it still retains a strong Edo atmosphere. This time we drove from Nagoya to Gero and Takayama, passing through Magome-juku, where we visited and had lunch. After having a set meal lunch for around 1,000 yen at a random restaurant in Magome-juku, we took a walk along the cobblestone streets and visited traditional craft shops. Then we set off to Xialu. #See the Earth in an instant

Before transportation was well developed, people could only travel between Tokyo and Kyoto by walking or crossing the sea. The "Nakasendo" was an important main road connecting Tokyo and Kyoto that was opened during the Edo period. The total length of the Nakasendo Road is about 540 kilometers, and it is impossible to complete the journey in one day, so many "inn" were set up along the way for travelers to rest. The best preserved and most popular ones are Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku. These two inns and the section of Nakasendo in between are what we will introduce today. 📍 Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku are located in Gifu Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture respectively 📏 The middle road between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku is about 8.5 kilometers ⏱ It takes about 2 hours to complete this section of the trail (but leave enough time to take photos, stroll around the two post stations, and eat local specialties such as Gohei Mochi and Soba noodles) 🚈 You can take a bus from JR Nakatsugawa or Minamigiso Station to Magome-juku or Tsumago-juku Walking between the two post stations, the historical buildings there are very interesting, and there are many folk crafts for sale. It really feels like traveling back in time to the Edo period. Although this section of the "Nakasendo" is the most popular section, there are not many hikers, and you can feel the tranquility there. #Overseas Travel #Japan #Countryside Series #Nakasendo #Magomejuku #Tsumagojuku #Time Travel #Hiking #Edo #Food #japan

The other day, I visited Nakatsugawa City in Gifu Prefecture, and decided to make a detour to Magome-juku, which I had been curious about. Magome-juku is a post town on the Nakasendo road, and is a scenic spot where the old streetscape remains intact among the mountains. There are many foods made with chestnuts, a specialty of Nakatsugawa City, on sale, and the chestnut steamed rice is particularly recommended. The incredibly sweet chestnuts go perfectly with salty glutinous rice. How about taking a stroll while looking at the old streetscape covered in snow? #gourmettrip #breathtakingview #snowscenery #Magome-juku

Magome-juku, located in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, is the 43rd post town on the Nakasendo road and the southernmost of the 11 Kiso post towns. It is a lovely tourist destination with a charming retro townscape. I recommend visiting it along with the nearby Tsumago-juku. It is paved with stone, has a great atmosphere, and is a popular place with foreigners. It had just rained on the day we visited, but the stone pavement is wet even on rainy days, creating a nice atmosphere. #retrotownscape

Magome-juku in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture It is the 43rd post town on the Nakasendo road, and the southernmost of the 11 Kiso post towns. It is a very popular tourist destination for both Japanese and foreigners, and its retro townscape remains. There are restaurants and souvenir shops, so you can enjoy lunch or tea. #retrotownscape

📍 Saya Nishiki / Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture A long-established Japanese sweets shop in Nakatsugawa Tea at the sweets shop inside "Suya" 🍵🍃 While being healed by a nice garden It is a shop where you can enjoy cool Japanese sweets 🧊 ✨ ✔︎ Chilled white ball The gentle sweetness of red bean paste and I felt happy with the chewy white balls ☺️✨ ✔︎ Ice confectionery A new sensation sweet that is different from shaved ice ◎ A fluffy texture like fresh snow ☁️❄️ (Snow, I've never eaten ... lol) The attached Nozawana was also delicious 🤤💚 The sweets shop (probably) didn't have air conditioning, I got a cold one, so it was just right

Access ◇Public transport From JR Nakatsugawa Station, take the Kita-Ena Kotsu Bus Magome Line for about 25 minutes and get off at Magome ◇Car About 20 minutes from Nakatsugawa IC on the Chuo Expressway. Turn right at the Okita intersection on National Route 19 towards Matsumoto and Kiso. Go straight on Prefectural Route 7 and turn left at the sign. During the Edo period, it flourished as a post town on the Nakasendo road, a highway connecting Kyoto and Edo. The old post town streetscape has been restored and preserved along the stone-paved slope. It is about 1 kilometer long and is uphill from the entrance, but you can climb the whole way in about 30 minutes, so it was just right for light exercise. There is a waterway at the end of the street, and two waterwheels along the way add to the atmosphere. There are many cafes, restaurants serving local cuisine, souvenir shops, and inns lined up, making it a nostalgic walk up the slope. In the center of the town, the birthplace of Toson Shimazaki, a master of modern Japanese literature, has been developed into the Toson Memorial Museum. The opening line of his novel "Before Dawn," "The Kiso Road is entirely in the mountains," is extremely famous. Even today, he is still the most famous person in Magome-juku, and can be seen on posters, flyers, and souvenir marginalia. #Magome-juku #Historic sites with a sense of history #Gifu Prefecture #Weekend ⛴⛴ #Couple trip #Breathtaking views #A trip to enjoy spring

During our Japan trip in Nov/ Dec 2024, we visited Tokyo and had a beautiful evening river canoe trip, and went to the top of tokyo skytree#tokyo In kyoto we visited the golden and silver temples#kyoto and the red a thousand gates shrine and went to the aquarium. In mishima, I took this amazing picture of Mount fuji #fuji and walked a section of the famous nakasendo trail that goes from kyoto to tokyo #nakasendotrailfromnagoya and enjoyed tea brewed over a traditional fire that was once visited by joanna lumley. On the trail, we witnessed a beautiful sunset while we were staying at a traditional Japanese hotel with onsen. During our 2 week japan trip we travelled the famous bullet train using a japan Rail pass an excellent way to save money and make travelling easier. we enjoyed lots of delicious Japanese food and drink, including grilled eels, a local delicacy, we visited a sake and whisky distillery and we even tried a one night stay in a pod hotel and even squeezed in a family wedding a unique experience. Over our 2 week stay in japan, we biked, hiked, monorailed, bullet trained, bused, metroed, canoed, jogged, and walked our way around 🤪. Tired but fully satisfied I would fully recommend a trip to anyone who loves japan, the people, and its rich culture#travel #traveljapan

#Spring0yentrip The retro and somewhat nostalgic amusement park "Enakyo Wonderland" is a hidden gem perfect for families and couples! Although there is a Ferris wheel and thrilling rides, there are many attractions that you can enjoy at your own pace, making it perfect for a relaxed time♪ Furthermore, the "spectacular view of Enakyo" that can be seen from the amusement park allows you to enjoy nature in every season, making it a truly relaxing experience. It is especially beautiful during the autumn leaves and cherry blossom seasons, so we recommend taking a leisurely stroll with a camera in hand! 📍Basic information (check the website for the latest information) ✴︎Address: 2711-2 Oimachi, Ena City, Gifu Prefecture ✴︎Access: 15 minutes by car from JR Ena Station / 10 minutes from Ena IC on the Chuo Expressway ✴︎Price: Admission fee 1,100 yen for adults / 700 yen for children (free pass available separately) ✴︎Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (may vary depending on season and weather)

📍Kannon Falls Tsukechi Town, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture 《Access》 About 0 minutes on foot from the Kamimiya/Kitaena Kotsu bus stop ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ Tsukechi Gorge, one of the "Top 100 Forest Bathing Forests in Japan" and "Top 50 Famous Waters in Gifu Prefecture" The water is so clear that it is also known as "Blue River"... If you walk down the promenade below from the entrance, you will see Kannon Falls flowing over the rock face The emerald green water surface and the seven-colored rainbow in the falling water were a mysterious sight that moved me. At the entrance to Fudo Falls, there were delicious chilled ramune and tomatoes. The other course involves crossing a thrilling suspension bridge, then descending further to reach the riverbank. #Gifu #Nakatsugawa #Tsukechi Gorge #Waterfall #Emerald Green #Spring 0 Yen Trip #Beautiful Sights #Photogenic Spots #Photogenic Spots

📍Ryujin Falls Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture 《Access》 About 18 minutes walk from the bus stop Yumori Park Exit/Kita Ena Kotsu ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ It has been selected as one of the 50 best waters in Gifu Prefecture and has a drop of 12m!! It is a dynamic and mysterious waterfall. I saw this scene on social media and wanted to go there. There is a legend that a white dragon living in this waterfall suddenly appeared and ran up to the sky, so it is also popular as a power spot!! The clear water and cobalt blue pool are mystical♥ Ryujin Falls is located at the very bottom of the river, and there is a walkway, so it is easy to get to. There are periods when it is lit up in color, and many people come to cool off in the evening, making it a popular night spot. The observation deck where you can take photos from this angle is crowded with people taking photos. #Gifu #Nakatsugawa #Ryujin Falls #Waterfall #Power Spot #Scenic Spot #Photogenic Spot #Spring 0 Yen Trip

📍Yumori Valley 1057-4 Kawakami, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture 《Access》 About a 7-minute walk from the Yumori Park Exit bus stop/Kita Ena Kotsu ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ Yumori Valley is located at an altitude of 700m. You can enjoy five waterfalls, including Ryujin Falls, which was selected as one of the 50 best waters in Gifu Prefecture. There is also a walkway where you can see the waterfalls up close, making it the perfect place for a stroll. Locals plant maples every year, so there are maples everywhere. I was fascinated by the contrast between the green maples and the red bridge. In autumn, the maples change color and the scenery becomes even more spectacular. #Gifu #Green maples #Bridge #Contrast #Waterfall #Spring 0 yen trip

📍Senmo no Mori River and Green Park Yamaguchi 1-15, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ A staircase had been constructed so that you could go down to the bank of the Kiso River from the parking lot across the national highway. The park there is called "Senmo no Mori River and Green Park," and the bank is sandy and soft. The contrast between the emerald green water surface, the mountains, and the blue sky was amazing. On the opposite bank of the Kiso River, you can see Senmo no Taki Falls. The waterfall falls over concrete below the mouth of the waterfall. The white wisteria flowers and hitotsubatago (nanjamonja tree) were in full bloom around here, and it was beautiful. #Spring 0 yen trip #Gifu #Kiso River #Park #hitotsubatago

📍 Higashiyama Kaii Kokoro no Tabijikan 1-15 Yamaguchi, Nakatsugawa, Gifu 《Access》 About a 40-minute walk from Exit 2 of Tadachi Station Opening hours 9:30-17:00 Admission fee 330 yen / 270 yen for groups (groups of 10 or more) Free for elementary and junior high school students and infants ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ It is attached to the roadside station, Zenbo. Higashiyama Kaii, who established his own unique realm as a landscape painter, is one of my favorite painters. Over 500 prints (lithographs, woodblock prints, etc.) are on display. It's a much better deal than visiting a regular art museum. #Spring 0 yen trip #Gifu #Higashiyama Kaii #Roadside station #Gifu sightseeing #Art museum

📍 Roadside Station Shizumo 1-14 Yamaguchi, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture 《Access》About 41 minutes on foot from Exit 2 of Tadachi Station Opening hours 8:30-18:00 ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ Located on the border between Mino and Kiso prefectures. A wide variety of original products and menu items, including local dishes such as potato, karasumi, and hoba rolls. The specialty is the Gohei mochi set meal. The Gohei mochi with walnuts and peanuts is popular. At the very back is the "Kaii Higashiyama Heart Travel Museum." #Spring 0 yen travel #Gifu #Roadside station #Post town #Gohei mochi

📍Magome Jinba Kami Observatory 5447 Magome, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture 《Jinba bus stop / 1 minute walk from Minami Kiso-cho, Nagano Prefecture》 ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ On the premises, there are signs and stone monuments bearing passages from Shimazaki Toson's novel "Before Dawn." There is also a gazebo, so it is convenient to use as a rest area. From the observation deck, you can see Mt. Ena, the whole of Magome-juku, the Central Alps, and more. #Gifu #Magome #Magome-juku #Observation deck #Ena #Central Alps #Spring 0 yen trip

📍Magome-juku Magome, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture 《Access》 About a 3-minute walk from the bus stop Jinba/Minami Kiso-machi, Nagano Prefecture ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ A post town along a stone-paved slope On both sides of the road are freshly baked rice crackers, oyaki, gohei mochi, souvenir shops, and old-fashioned cafes, making it a popular spot for foreigners to enjoy eating and strolling. Magome-juku is also famous as a place associated with Shimazaki Toson The Toson Memorial Museum, Shimazaki Toson's birthplace, remains. #Spring0yentrip