Tsumago is known today as one of the best-preserved post towns in Japan. The town and its residents do their best to recreate the ambience of the Edo Period. Cars are prohibited on the main street and the usual Japan phone lines and power cables in modern days are concealed, allowing visitors to imagine they have slipped back to the past.
In all post towns, the Honjin was the principal inn and served government officials who were traveling through. When more lodging was required, the Wakihonjin served to accommodate the travelers of lower status. Tsumago still keeps its Honjin and Wakihonjin. Now they serve as “museums” rather than inns. Many ryokan are located within the town, so you can stay at one of them. Also, you can try to hike from Tsumago to Magome by a preserved trail of the former Nakasendo. Today, it is well maintained and marked with English signs, too.
Tsumago is connected by infrequent buses from JR Nagiso Station, the closest train station. The one-way trip takes about seven minutes, but it can easily be reached on foot.
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