Welcome to Magome – Feel the spirit of the Samurai on a historic Edo era trail.
Nakatsugawa City is within an hour's train ride from Nagoya, a place where you can experience Japanese history and culture in a deeper way than in the cities.
You can immerse yourself in the feeling of being a traveler in the old days at the post towns(宿場, Shukuba) along the Nakasendo (中山道) route, including the Magome - Tsumago (馬籠―妻籠) hike that was also selected as one of "Japan's Top 25" by Lonely Planet.
In addition, there are many historical and cultural sites, such as the local kabuki (地歌舞伎, ji-kabuki), and scenic spots such as the Naegi Castle Ruins and Tsukechi Gorge.
The Nakasendo Road, which connected Tokyo and Kyoto in the Edo period (1603-1868), was an important route used by feudal lords and merchants.
In Nakatsugawa City, there are three “shukuba-machi” (post towns) where travelers stayed on the difficult journey (Magome, Ochiai, and Nakatsugawa). Old shops, teahouses, and souvenir stores line the streets, and you will feel as if you have slipped back 500 years in time.
The hike between Magome-juku in Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) and Tsumago-juku in Nagano Prefecture (長野県) is particularly popular, passing through country roads with remnants of cobblestone pavement, where you can experience the rich nature of forests, waterfalls, and terraced rice fields.
See
A spectacular view from a mountain castle built on huge natural rocks
Naegi Castle(苗木城) was built in 1526 and the ruins are a national historic site. The castle is located on a hill overlooking the Kiso River (木曽川) and Enasan(恵那山), and the observatory at the ruins of the castle tower offers a spectacular 360-degree view. The stonewalls of Naegi Castle Ruins(苗木城跡) are made of natural huge rocks, which is very rare in Japan.
You can get there by bus or by car, but a 70-minute hike from JR Nakatsugawa Station (中津川駅) is also recommended.
Japanese Culture Experience at 3 Temple
Japanese Culture Experience at 3 Temple
Japanese Culture Experience at 3 Temple
Japanese Culture Experience at 3 Temple
Japanese Culture Experience at 3 Temple
Japanese Culture Experience at 3 Temple
Japanese Cultural Experiences at 3 Temples in Ochiai-juku post town
In Ochiai-juku,there are three historic temples where you can experience Zen meditation, calligraphy, and tea ceremony.
In Ochiai-juku, you can feel the history of the inn as the “Honjin,” where important people such as feudal lords stayed, still remains in its original form.
The three temples are perfect locations to stop and rest during your hike. You can experience zazen (坐禅) at Zenshoji Temple (善昌寺), calligraphy at Koufukuji Temple (高福寺), and tea ceremony at Iouji Temple (医王寺), so take your pick of activities you can enjoy.
A Touch of Local Kabuki
In Gifu Prefecture, the traditional art of local kabuki called "ji-kabuki" still flourishes in modern-day Japan. Regular performances are held within original theater playhouses to keep this unique tradition alive.
Take a behind-the-scenes tour at Kashimo Meiji-za, a wooden playhouse built over 120 years ago.
Take a behind-the-scenes tour at Kashimo Meiji-za, a wooden playhouse built over 120 years ago.
“Kuri-kinton,” 栗きんとん (Wagashi 和菓子 Japanese sweets made with chestnuts) an iconic food of Nakatsugawa
Nakatsugawa is said to be the birthplace of kuri-kinton, a simple Japanese sweet made with only steamed chestnuts and sugar, and local tourists flock to the city during the autumn season to buy it. There are many Japanese sweets stores around Nakatsugawa-juku, and you can enjoy walking around the post town and eating the kuri-kinton. There are also a variety of other chestnut sweets such as yokan (羊羹, sweet bean jelly) and roll cakes.
Local Sake in Nakatsugawa
Nakatsugawa City has an ideal climate for sake brewing and the area produces high-quality rice, so you can find a variety of unique local sake. Visit the different breweries to taste and compare the flavors of the local sake. About a 10-minute walk from JR Nakatsugawa Station (中津川駅), is Hazama Shuzo (はざま酒造), a brewery founded in the middle of the Edo period and famous for its sake, Enasan (恵那山).
In addition, there are stores in the center of the city where you can buy local sake, and taverns that serve local sake. Why not stay at Nakatsugawa-juku and enjoy local sake paired with cuisine made from local ingredients?
Go Hiking in Nakatsugawa on the Historic Nakasendo Trail
In Nakatsugawa City, there are many outdoor activities that are perfect for social distancing during the coronavirus era. Some locations check the body temperatures of customers with a non-contact thermometer before allowing them to enter. In addition, Gifu Prefecture has created a “New Corona Countermeasure Store Sticker,” and stores with this sticker are in compliance with anti-corona measures and can be used with peace of mind. The volunteer tourist guides in Nakatsugawa City and Japanese cultural experience guides at the three temples in Ochiai-juku are monitored for health issues and ask customers to fill out a health check sheet so that both guides and customers can enjoy sightseeing safely and with peace of mind.
About Nakatsugawa City
Nakatsugawa City, accessible from Nagoya in 50 minutes (on the JR Chuo Line), is a place where you can experience nature and Japanese history in ways that only the countryside can offer. When you arrive at Nakatsugawa Station, be sure to visit the Nakatsugawa Tourist Information Center, located a minute’s walk away. The staff will be happy to provide you with brochures in English and information on accommodations, tour reservations, and the surrounding area.
