Kiso Valley Post Towns Narai Tsumago and Magome Course

The Kiso road once bustled with travelers on the old Nakasendo highway. Among its towns, Narai, Tsumago, and Magome still preserve their Edo era streetscapes and remain popular. This course lets you stroll the historic road and feel as if you have slipped back in time.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Narai-juku One of the longest post towns on the Kiso road. Walk the street lined with wooden houses and enjoy the quiet morning hours. 11:00 Travel to Tsumago-juku Take a train and bus to Tsumago, where the buried power lines leave a beautiful townscape that still feels like the Edo period. 12:30 Lunch in Tsumago Try highway specialties such as gohei mochi rice cakes and soba. 14:00 To Magome-juku The walk from Tsumago to Magome is popular as a hiking route. The view from this sloping post town is superb. 16:00 Head back Return to the nearest station by bus and take an evening train to your next destination.

Highlights

Narai-juku stretches about one kilometer of wooden buildings, the largest in scale on the Kiso road. Tsumago-juku began preserving its streetscape early and offers a beautiful view free of utility poles. In Magome-juku, houses line a stone paved slope, and on clear days you can enjoy a view of Mount Ena.

Access and Tips

Narai-juku is right by JR Narai Station. Tsumago and Magome are far from rail stations, so use a bus or taxi. The pass between Tsumago and Magome is maintained as a hiking trail, and crossing it on foot is popular. There are many slopes, so wear comfortable shoes.

A Quick Tip

Visiting all three towns means a lot of travel, so if time is short it is fine to focus on two. In some seasons a baggage forwarding service runs between Tsumago and Magome, letting you walk light.