Minimum Guests
2 Person
Activate Day
0 Nights/ 1 DaysBest Travel Time
|
Period |
Weather & Scenery |
Highlights & Tips |
|
Apr - May |
Mild (8-18°C), cherry & azalea blooms |
Sakura-lined stone paths at Magome; light crowds; residual snow on mountain peaks |
|
Jul - Aug |
Cool (15-26°C), lush cedar forests |
Prime hiking season; shaded trails through woodlands; avoid midday heat (start early) |
|
Oct - Nov |
Crisp (6-20°C), vibrant autumn foliage |
Red/gold maple contrasts with Edo-era wooden buildings; hot soba perfect post-hike |
|
Dec - Mar |
Cold (-2-10°C), snow-covered landscapes |
Serene "snow country" scenery; trails require crampons; limited tea house hours |
Cultural & Culinary Highlights
|
Experience |
Details |
|
Edo-era Post Town History |
Magome & Tsumago were 2 of 69 nakasendo post towns for travelers between Edo (Tokyo) & Kyoto. Tsumago hides power lines to preserve historic charm |
|
Local Cuisine |
Magome: "Hojicha Parfait" (roasted green tea dessert) at Magome Karyo. Tsumago: "Zaru Soba" (cold buckwheat noodles) at Tsumago Soba-ya |
|
Completion Certificate |
Collect wooden or paper certificate at Tsumago Tourist Center ; stamp with Magome & Tsumago seals for authenticity |
|
Bear Safety |
Trail is equipped with bear bells (ring to deter wildlife); no recent bear sightings reported to tourists |
Essential Gear List
|
Category |
Items |
|
Footwear |
Waterproof hiking boots (ankle support recommended); trail runners acceptable Apr-Nov |
|
Clothing |
Layered system: quick-dry base + fleece; lightweight rain jacket (Jun-Sep) |
|
Equipment |
Daypack; 1.5L water bottle (refill at tea house); trekking poles (optional, for descents) |
|
Extras |
Sunscreen (SPF 50+); hat; camera (golden hour photos at Magome Pass); cash (no ATMs on trail) |
Private Car & Safety Tips
1. Parking Details: Magome drop-off at West Parking Lot (GPS: 35.4972° N, 137.5568° E); Tsumago pickup at 1st Parking Lot (GPS: 35.5241° N, 137.6012° E) .
2. Trail Markings: Follow red "Nakasendo" signs & stone markers; paths are well-maintained but muddy after rain .
3. Driver Communication: Share hiking pace with driver (e.g., "delay 30 mins") via WhatsApp; driver will adjust pickup time.
4. Emergency Contact: Save Tsumago Tourist Center number (+81-26-672-2500) for trail issues; English support available.
Tour Timeline
If you need to increase or reduce the number of travellers, please contact us for customised arrangements.
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Private Car Transfer & Itinerary Overview
Difficulty: ★★☆ (Moderate) | Hiking Distance: 7.7km | Elevation Change: 320m
Suitable for: Cultural history enthusiasts; nature lovers; all fitness levels
Private Car Service: Door-to-door transfer (Nagoya → Magome-juku; Tsumago-juku → Nagoya); English-speaking driver optional
Time
Activity & Location
Duration
Key Details
07:30-09:30
Private Car Pickup (Nagoya) → Magome-juku
2hrs
Scenic drive through Kiso Valley; drop-off at Magome-juku West Parking Lot (5-min walk to trailhead)
09:30-10:30
Explore Magome-juku (Edo-era Post Town)
1hr
Wander 600m stone-paved main street; visit Fujimi-yagura Watchtower for valley views; coffee at traditional tea house
10:30-14:00
Hike: Magome-juku → Tsumago-juku
3.5hrs
Follow "Nakasendo Trail" signs; traverse cedar forests & rural hamlets; 2 rest stops with facilities
14:00-15:30
Explore Tsumago-juku (Historic Preservation District)
1.5hrs
Visit Waki-honjin Okuya (Important Cultural Property); get "Completion Certificate" at tourist center
15:30-17:30
Private Car Transfer: Tsumago-juku → Nagoya
2hrs
Depart from Tsumago-juku 1st Parking Lot; relax post-hike with bottled water & snacks provided
Hiking Trail Breakdown (Magome-juku → Tsumago-juku)
Checkpoint
Altitude
Est. Time
Key Experiences
Magome-juku Trailhead
720m
10:30
Start at Magome Tourist Info Center; grab English trail map (free); note bear bells along path
Magome Pass (Prefecture Border)
940m
12:00
Cross boundary between Gifu & Nagano Prefectures; photo op with historic marker
Mountain Tea House
880m
12:30
Rest at Torii-tei Chaya; try matcha tea & rice crackers (English menu available)
Otaki Waterfalls
820m
13:15
Optional 10-min detour to "Male & Female Waterfalls"—legendary training spot of swordsman Miyamoto Musashi
Tsumago-juku Arrival
680m
14:00
Enter via east gate; stroll car-free main street (vehicles banned 08:00-17:00)
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Accommodation
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
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