From the city to the nature

From Kyoto, we now head to more rural areas: we will be hiking parts of the Nakasendo for the next four days. This is one of the two roads that led from Kyoto to Edo (Tokyo). One road runs along the coast, while the Nakasendo runs through the inland. We are near Nagano and the Japanese Alps, so in mountainous areas.

The most famous stretch of the Nakasendo leads from Magome to Tsumago. This stretch can be easily done on foot. We will start from Magome the next day, so we first need to take the train there. From Kyoto, it takes us just over 3 hours to get to Magome. As always in Japan, everything runs smoothly, even in Magome, all signs are available in English. In the bus to Magome, about 95% of the passengers are foreigners, who have the same destination as us.

Magome and the other villages along the Nakasendo were originally stations with accommodation and fresh horses for travelers (especially envoys of the emperor or the shogun). They have developed into more or less large trading centers - but let's be honest: the villages are tiny. We can walk through Magome shortly after our arrival. From the viewpoint above Magome, you can see the hilly landscape and the traditional houses very well. The houses themselves mainly contain souvenir shops or restaurants.

The villages are probably under protection as cultural heritage and there seem to be some restrictions for restaurant operators, shops, and accommodations. Almost all shops are closed after 5 pm. Our accommodation also has a curfew at 10 pm: then you have to be back in the accommodation or sleep outside. :) The Wi-Fi is also turned off at 11 pm: actually, internet is cut off at 10:58 pm. So it means early to bed!