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STAYING in Nakatsugawa STAYING IN NAKATSUGAWA DISCOVER MORE USEFUL INFORMATION AND EXPLORE UNIQUE, REMOTE HAVENS IN NAKATSUGAWA GET OFF-THE-BEATEN TRACK IN NAKATSUGAWA! NAKASENDO TRAIL – Tsumago & Magome, Ochiai, and Nakatsugawa MAGOME-JUKU POST TOWN Magome-juku was once the prosperous 43rd post along the historic Nakasendo Trail which connected Kyoto and Tokyo. Post towns like Tsumago, Magome, Ochiai, and Nakatsugawa have been brought back to their Edo Period grandeur. Start your jounery by taking a bus from Nakatsugawa Station to admire Magome’s unique hillside positioning which provides vistors with an astounding view of the Nakatsugawa landscape. Check out the amazingly photogenic Magome Waterwheel. Then enjoy your stroll along the street, mak- ing sure to stop by the Toson Memorial Museum or a stylish coffee shop. At the top of Magome Hill, you will be rewarded with an astounding view of Magome and the Mt. Ena mountain range. The 8 km hiking trail will lead you to the Tsumago-juku to feel the historical and rural Japan. Magome-juku is reachable either by bus or on foot. If you take a bus at JR Nakatsugawa Station to Magome, it will take about 25 minutes and cost 560 yen. OCHIAI-juku Post Town Another location worth checking out on your way to Magome is old Ochiai-juku which is the 44th post town along the Nakasendo Trail. Today, the trail exists as a beautifully preserved stone path with a single trail that winds itself through a lush green forest, sur- rounding visitors in tall trees and green plant life. The Honjin is one of the only remaining rest buildings in this post town and is thus registered as an important historical site in Japan. The abundance of nature along Ochiai makes it an excellent place to visit in spring as well as fall, when the autumn colors lead the way along the stone path to Magome-juku. Ochiai-juku is reachable either by bus or on foot. Take a bus from JR Nakatsugawa Station to Magome and get off the bus at Ochiai. The journey will take about 10 min- utes and cost 250 yen. Nakatsugawa-juku Post Town Do not miss the 45th post town near Nakatsugawa Station! Upon your arrival, there are a few places to check out. First is the Nakasendo Historical Museum which houses artifacts from Nakatsugawa’s rich history as well as information about the surrounding area. There are also a number of Japanese sweet shops, sake breweries, and historical buildings in the area. You can learn more about these historically important establishments by reading the small informa- tion board on the front of each building. Nakatsugawa-juku is a quick 10 minute walk from JR Nakatsugawa Station! 3 GET OFF-THE-BEATEN TRACK IN NAKATSUGAWA! GET OFF-THE-BEATEN TRACK IN NAKATSUGAWA! NATURE – Naegi Castle Ruins and Tsukechi Gorge HIKING – Nakasendo Trail and Naegi Castle Ruins NaegI CastLE RUIns HIKIng THrougH NakasenDO A short distance from Nakatsugawa Station TraIL from Nakatsugawa-juku stands the ruins of Naegi Castle, constructed 400 years ago and once home to the prom- TO Tsumago-juku inent Toyama Family. In 1871 the buildings If you are brave enough, take the long hike were destroyed and today, all that remains are from Nakatsugawa-juku to Tsumago-juku! the impressive stone foundations. Despite The total length is about 15km, taking around the main structure being long gone, there is five to seven hours depending on how often still quite a lot to see while walking around the you stop. Start your journey at Nakatsugawa castle grounds. Most noticeable are perhaps Station as it is the gateway to the Tsumago- the large natural stones which served as the Magome area (and because the tourist center foundation of the original castle. Considering will look after your luggage during your hike!). the majority of the castles in Japan were built Follow the street signs towards Ochiai-juku, on flat planes at the same time the castle was which will take you to a paved path leading erected, the detail on these foundations actu- to Magome-juku, and finally Tsumago-juku. ally make them quite unique. At the top of the Enjoy the local cuisine, admire the authentic complex, visitors can find a well-placed ob- Japanese culture and enjoy a wide variety servation tower, which offers an astounding of gorgeous landscapes, including narrow view of the Nakatsugawa landscape as well streets, rice fields, forests, and mountains as Kiso River. Something that is interesting to which follow one after the other. note about the construction of the observa- To get back to Nakatsugawa, take a train to Nagiso Station. If you use the super express train, the trip will tion tower itself is that it was made without take about 13 minutes and cost 640 yen. The local train the use of nails! In spring, there are plenty takes about 20 minutes and costs 320 yen. You can use of spots for cherry blossom viewing and in your JR Pass on all these trains. fall, the landscape is filled with the colors of autumn. A relaxing walk to Naegi Castle Ruins and a tour of all the A HIke TO NaegI CastLE RUIns scenic spots along the way should take about 1 hour. A Another remarkable hiking course in Naka- hiking map is available at Nakatsugawa Tourist Infor- tsugawa would be to the remains of a much mation Center. older historical site than the Nakasendo trail: the ruins of Naegi Castle, built on a small TsukeCHI Gorge mountain in 1520 and destroyed in 1871. Get Tsukechi Gorge is without a doubt one of the hiking map at the tourist center, and fol- the most naturally beautiful locations in this low the route from JR Nakatsugawa Station region but, despite its radience, it still re- to the top. The 7km long round trip will take mains somewhat of a hidden gem to many. you approximately 2.5 hours along a scenic, Visitors can admire its gorgeous landscape tree-lined mountain road. Your efforts will at any time of year. During autumn, the area finally be rewarded with a breathtaking pan- is filled with beautiful leaves in different oramic view of Nakatsugawa Valley and the shades of red, yellow, and orange and, in Kiso River. This site also offers you an obser- winter, there is a good chance that you could vatory to capture the best scenes no matter see the natural landscape blanketed in pure the season. white snow. In spring, the area is perfect for Your hiking base would be JR Nakatsugawa Station! a relaxing walk among the gorgeous variety of flowers. Tsukechi Gorge is also the ide- al place to escape the heat during Japan’s well known humid summer months. There are even a number of cabins and popular outdoor camping areas where you can go swimming to cool off! You can witness the gorge’s turquoise blue falls and delight in the rich nature of all the seasons. Tsukechi Gorge is accessible by car. Rent a car near JR Nakatsugawa Station then have a pleasant drive north for about 40 minutes and 30 km. 4 5 GET OFF-THE-BEATEN TRACK IN NAKATSUGAWA! GET OFF-THE-BEATEN TRACK IN NAKATSUGAWA! EXPERIENCE – Kashimo Cycling Tour and Temple Experience NIGHT LIFE – After visiting the post towns and nature sites! JOIN A CYCLIng tour IN KASHImo WanDer arounD THE PHotogenIC Nakatsugawa area is renowned for its beau- Nakatsugawa tiful hikes and cycling routes, which take you After visiting the post towns and taking a on a journey around many historical sites hike to admire the natural landscapes, you often separated by just a few kilometers. should stay in Nakatsugawa for the night! Take the opportunity to experience a unique Take the opportunity to meet some truly kind, cycling tour, allowing you to discover the interesting and unforgettable locals. Settle Japanese countryside, Kashimo village and down for an amazing dinner in the area and its gorgeous cycling routes, and Kashimo explore the old town after dark to capture Meijiza, a kabuki theater in Kashimo village some truly magical photos and witness the built by local volunteers at a time when lo- atmosphere as it comes to life! Many of the cal performances were popular. When you locals make their way to the restaurants, iza- enter Kashimo Meijiza, don’t forget to pick kayas and bars surrounding JR Nakatsugawa up a small pamphlet about the art of kabuki Station, which offer dishes such as soba and the building’s architecture. The highlight noodles, mountain vegetables, yakitori and of the picturesque scenery you’ll see while so much more. If you are fortunate enough to cycling around is of course the village of stay the night in Nakatsugawa, then experi- Kashimo. Time seems to have stood still encing the local nightlife is a must! here, with dozens of traditional Japanese houses, and narrow streets which provide a good contrast to the backdrop of the vast StaYIng IN Nakatugawa Nakatsugawa offers various kinds of accom- mountainous landscapes. Participate in a guided tour organized by Tono Guided modation for a comfortable stay. Not only Cycling. For more information, see p.9. are there Western style hotels with Western styled beds, but there are also many Japanese bed & breakfasts, called Ryokan. Staying in TRY THE Zen ACTIVITIes a Ryokan, you will have the opportunity to IN THE TempLE receive great hospitality and experience a Among the Japanese terms that have invad- unique night’s sleep in a Japanese futon on ed the world’s languages, Zen is probably one tatami mats. If you would like to explore the of the most famous, and originally refers to a nightlife scene in the city, encounter the lo- branch of Japanese Buddhism, with a focus cals, and try many local meals and alcohol, on meditation in the world.
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