WHAT TO SEE IN MAGOME

NAKASENDO:

If you want to immerse yourself in clothes of the samurai or travelers who once moved on foot from a village to the other, you can take a stretch of ancient Nakasendo, starting from Magome and heading north to Tsumago another ancient one "Post station" of Japan. The route can also be done in reverse, from Tsumago to Magome. I advise you to opt for the first one (Magome-Tsumago) as trekking in this direction is much easier. Today the Kiso valley is the only place where you can still walk on this street and the path is absolutely not challenging: in total the trail is 8km so it requires about 2/3 hours to be completed at a pleasant pace. It is said that there are bears in the forest. Along the way you will find bells that you will have to ring to keep them away from the path. I think it's more a nice find to brighten up the path. I haven't even seen the shadow of bears ... Halfway you will find a tea house where the friendly owner will offer you a free tea to refresh you (remember to leave a small offer to thank him). You can also admire the falls called Otaki and Metaki (Man and Woman) Falls. At the end of the path you will reach Tsumago: a nice village in traditional style. Take a tour of the village and take a look at the small shops. To return to Magome you can take the bus which will take you back to the village of departure in about 15 minutes.


MAGOME:

In addition to the Nakasendo trail, the town of Magome is beautiful to visit as it is t is kept in excellent condition over the centuries, with traditional wooden houses, some of which very old, and inns that make space among small streets tree-lined free from vehicle traffic and electricity cables: all this takes into a suggestive atmosphere that lets you see what Japan used to be. At the entrance to Magome you will also be able to observe a wooden control tower and one reproduction of a "kosatuba" or a notice for the visitors of the city that were affixed during the Tokugawa shogunate to indicate the laws in force and the rules to be respected.