basic information

Magome is a post town in the Kiso Valley, which served travelers of the Nakasendo, a major route connecting Tokyo with Kyoto during the Edo Period.

The town has been beautifully restored with a broad stone walkway lined with carefully tended foliage. Magome's embellished preservation contrasts with the rugged authenticity of neighboring Tsumago. The two towns are connected by the Magome-Tsumago Trail, a route which was part of the Nakasendo.

While exploring Magome, visitors will surely come across the name Shimazaki Toson. Born in Magome in 1872, Toson is a highly regarded figure in Japanese literature. In his novel Yoakemae (Before the Dawn), he famously describes life in the area during the early years of the Meiji Restoration. Its often quoted first line reads "The whole of the Kisoji lies in the mountains."

	Honjin/Toson Memorial Museum Hours: 8:30 to 16:45 (until 16:15 from Nov to Mar) Closed: 3 days from the second Tuesday in December Admission: 500 yen The Honjin was the principal inn of a post town. Toson's father was the last person to oversee Magome's Honjin, and Toson himself was born there. Today, it serves as a memorial to the artist.
	Wakihonjin Museum Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 Closed: Dec 25 to Mar 1 Admission: 300 yen The Wakihonjin was the secondary inn of a post town. This small museum is located where Magome's former Wakihonjin once stood. Inside there are displays pertaining to Magome's history as a Nakasendo post town.
	Tsuchimaya Shiryokan Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: irregular closure in winter Admission: 200 yen On the second floor, above a souvenir shop and restaurant, this small museum also focuses on Toson and has on display items of his family and the early Meiji Period.
	Shimizuya Shiryokan Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: irregular closure Admission: 200 yen A small museum that features hanging scrolls, pottery, clothing, and other goods that articles that belonged to residents of Magome.

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how to get there

Magome is connected by bus with JR Nakatsugawa Station, the closest train station. The one way trip takes 30 minutes and costs 540 yen. Buses depart roughly once an hour (see timetable).

Magome can also be reached in about a 20 minute walk from the Magome highway bus stop, which is located in the Misaka parking area along the Chuo Expressway.

Nearby Tsumago can be reached from Magome by infrequent direct buses (see timetable) or by following the Magome-Tsumago Hiking Trail.

How to get to and around the Kiso Valley

1st of 5 most visited sights in Kiso Valley.
279th of 430 most visited sights nationwide.

hotels & ryokan

tours and packages

Kiso Valley village-to-village walking Nakasendo trail tour from Tokyo to Kyoto, visiting hot springs, and traditional ryokan.

japanese links