Magome to Tsumago

From Matsumoto, we headed to Magome. This was done by private transfer and the journey only took around 2 hours. The alternative was to take the JR (Japan Railway) to Nakatsugawa then onto a bus to Magome, and that would have taken us an extra hour and a half.

Magome is part of the Nakasendo Trail. With our guide we walked from Magome to Tsumago.  It was truly a beautiful walk.  There is both an uphill and downhill trek but it is quite manageable for even the social hiker. If you like, you can bring a pair of hiking sticks with you as the path is not always even. It might also help to make the journey seem less daunting. This is perhaps one of the most popular (and scenic) of routes. Bring plenty of water and some snacks.  Toilet stops along the journey are not so frequent, so use the bathroom at Magome before you start off your trek.

[Link] Japan Guide: Magome-Tsumago Trail 

Some delightful shops greeted us along the way. We reached a charming tea house which was featured in Episode 2 of the 2016 BBC documentary “Joanna Lumley in Japan”.

Feel free to use the bathroom here.  Hot tea is served by a charming elderly man.  There is a box for you to leave a token of appreciation for him.

The Nakasendo trail dates back to the Feudal era of Japan. This is the road that linked the 2 cities of Kyoto and Tokyo through the central mountains. There are many walking tours available and I would highly recommend doing part of this walk at least. 

The beauty of the Japanese alps is still etched in my memory.

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