Tsumago to Magome Hike - in Winter?

Hi,

I've heard that the Tsumago to Magome Hike is a very nice and picturesque hike and I am thinking about travelling to the region for this hike in early February.

Does anyone know whether the route is still accessible for us to walk in normal hiking clothes (no specialist snow gear)?

We would like to travel in one direction and then return by public transport, however it appears that the bus does not run from Monday to Friday between the months of December and February.

Could anyone offer help on the above please?

It depends on how much snow there is. Most of the time, I think there is not a lot of snow along the trail or no snow, at all, in which case you should be able to do the walk with regular shoes. But if there is a lot of snow, high neck shoes or boots are recommended or - in the extreme case - some parts of the trail might not be walkable, at all.

it appears that the bus does not run from Monday to Friday between the months of December and February.

Where do you get that from? It is wrong! The buses between Magome and Tsumago operating daily around the year:
http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/kiso.html

Alternatively, you could travel via Nakatsugawa and Nagiso.

I did it.
Though roughly 3 decades ago, I walked on early April and I could without special equipments.