Walk Only the Most Beautiful and Historic Sections of the Samurai Trail(Tsumago to Nakatsugawa)
This course includes walking only the most attractive sections of the Samurai Trail, with the rest of the route covered by bus. It is perfect for those who prefer an easier walk or for large groups wishing to enjoy the Nakasendo Trail comfortably.
Table of Contents
Route
1Bus to Tsumago-juku
From Nagiso Station, it takes about 7 minutes by bus to reach Tsumago-juku.
2Tsumago-juku
Get off the bus at Tsumago and walk uphill to the start of the Nakasendo Trail.
brightness_alertThere are no places to eat or drink along the Nakasendo Trail. If you don’t have any drinks, buy some here.
3Nature walk
You can walk along an old mountain path where you can hear the gentle sound of a small stream and experience the traditional landscape of old Japan.
4Pass Ichikokutochi Chaya
After leaving Tsumago-juku and walking for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, you will reach Ichikokutochi Chaya teahouse, a traditional old house with a rest area.
5Bus stop Magome-toge（馬籠峠）
About 20 minutes from the teahouse, you will arrive at the bus stop. As the buses run very infrequently, please be sure to check the bus timetable.
6Bus stop Jinba(陣場）
After about a 7-minute bus ride, you will arrive at Jinba.
7Magome-juku
Magome-juku is a historic town that prospered as a post town along the Nakasendo. Old townscapes remain along the stone-paved slope, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of travel in the Edo period. Surrounded by mountains and nature, it offers a quiet and traditional landscape of Japan.
8Shimazaki Tōson Memorial Museum
This is a museum dedicated to Shimazaki Tōson, who is famous as a poet who helped pioneer modern Japanese poetry and as a novelist representing naturalist literature.
9Waterwheels in Magome-juku
There are many highlights in Magome-juku. This waterwheel is one of them.
10Bus stop Magome(馬籠）
From Magome-juku, take the bus for about 30 minutes to reach Nakatsugawa Station.
11Arrive at Nakatsugawa station.
Required Time
Approximately 3 hours
Cost
1100 yen one way
Bus Stop Locations
・Nakatsugawa Station Bus Stop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WNfFFE1GpFZRXaNu6?g_st=ipc
Bus Timetable
・Magome Bus Stop
How to Return to the Starting Point
To return to Nakatsugawa Station, the most common route is to walk from Tsumago-juku to Minami Kiso Station (a 20-minute walk) and then take the train back to Nakatsugawa Station.
There is also a bus route back from Tsumago, but be aware that buses stop running after 5:00 PM.