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Outdoors

Nakasendo Magome to Tsumago Hike

You walk between two preserved post towns on the old Nakasendo highway, crossing from Gifu Prefecture into Nagano Prefecture and the Kiso Valley. The path runs through forest, fields and past village houses, with a traditional rest house offering tea at about the halfway point.

For The Reps · Updated

hike scenery for Nakasendo Magome to Tsumago near Kiso Valley
Photo: Nakasendō between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku, Nagiso, 2016 by DimiTalen, CC0 (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en). Via Wikimedia Commons.
Where
Kiso Valley, Japan
Distance
8-9 km one way
Time
2-3 hours
Difficulty
Moderate

The route

Old Nakasendo walking trail from Magome to Tsumago.

Magome is reached by bus from JR Nakatsugawa Station. At the Tsumago end, a local bus runs to Nagiso Station for onward trains.

When to go

The seasonal bag-forwarding service between the two towns runs from 20 March to the end of November; outside that period, delivery is still possible but costs more.

Before you go

  • Walk from Magome to Tsumago: the Kiso tourism office says this direction has less uphill walking.
  • The tourist information centres in Magome and Tsumago will forward your bags: drop them off between 08:30 and 11:30 and collect them at the other end after 13:00.
  • Stay a night in Tsumago if you can; JNTO suggests the town is quieter once day visitors leave.
  • Signs along the trail are in English and Japanese.

What to bring

  • Shoes with grip that you have already worn in
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Food you will actually want to eat
  • A warm or waterproof layer
  • The route, saved offline
  • Sun cream and a hat

Getting ready for it

If your longest walk lately is under two hours, do a few longer walks first, ideally with some climbing and the pack you will carry.

Step-ups and lunges twice a week make the descents much easier on your knees.

Staying safe

  • Parts of the route follow asphalt roads that you share with traffic.
  • Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
  • Turn around if the weather turns or the footing gets sketchy. The trail will still be there.

Route details checked September 30, 2026 against en.visitkiso.com, japan-guide.com, japan.travel and nakasendo.jp. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.