Before highways and the train system, one way people traveled from Kyoto to Edo (modern day Tokyo) was via the Nakasendo; a road that went through the center of Japan. Over 100 years later, you can still walk the Nakasendo. A popular hike is on a section between Nakatsugawa-juku in modern day Nakatsugawa City and the mountain top village of Magome. This 3 hour hike includes a preserved section of the cobblestone road.
- 1 min read
Walking The Nakasendo
Nakatsugawa-juku to Magome-juku

By Justin Dart
Community writer

Signs indicating the district and directions to the next district. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

The 390-year old Hazama Sake Brewing company at the entrance to Nakatsugawa-juku. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

Down a small road around the back of Hazama sake brewery. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

The Shirogiya has photos of locations along the Nakasendo in Nakatsugawa-juku. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

Kawakamiya Wagashi sells chestnut based Japanese sweets, a speciality of Nakatsugawa. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

The Ogha Sake Brewing company also sells alcohol from around Japan and the world. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

Udatsu Houses of Shitamachi in Nakatsugawa-juku. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

The Nakasendo History Musuem offers images, hanga and text from the Edo period. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

Display of Nakatsugawa-juku in Nishi Shin Machi. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

Wooden maps showing the old city line the Nakasendo in Nakatsugawa. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

A hiker on the Cobble stone section of the Nakasendo between Ochiai and Magome (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

Cobble stone section of the Nakasendo 90-minutes walk from Nakatsugawa station. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)

The waterwheel in Magome, a symbol of this mountain side community. (Photo: Justin W. Dart)
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