2025 Nakatsugawa Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

📍Ryujin Falls Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture 《Access》 About 18 minutes walk from the bus stop Yumori Park Exit/Kita Ena Kotsu ✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲ It has been selected as one of the 50 best waters in Gifu Prefecture and has a drop of 12m!! It is a dynamic and mysterious waterfall. I saw this scene on social media and wanted to go there. There is a legend that a white dragon living in this waterfall suddenly appeared and ran up to the sky, so it is also popular as a power spot!! The clear water and cobalt blue pool are mystical♥ Ryujin Falls is located at the very bottom of the river, and there is a walkway, so it is easy to get to. There are periods when it is lit up in color, and many people come to cool off in the evening, making it a popular night spot. The observation deck where you can take photos from this angle is crowded with people taking photos. #Gifu #Nakatsugawa #Ryujin Falls #Waterfall #Power Spot #Scenic Spot #Photogenic Spot #Spring 0 Yen Trip

#fallcolors Visiting Nakatsugawa in October is a wonderful experience, as the town and surrounding areas transform into a beautiful palette of autumn colors. Nestled in the Kiso Valley, Nakatsugawa is a charming town that serves as a gateway to the historic Nakasendo Road. In October, the crisp air and vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves make it the perfect time for hiking, especially along the scenic trails between Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku. The fall foliage enhances the already stunning landscapes, and the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. ‼️We visited Nakatsugawa during the first week of October, and the leaves on the trees were just beginning to take on the beautiful colors of autumn. #traveljapan #japan #100waysoftravel

This is a restaurant where you can eat grilled salted trout and sashimi set meals while looking at the beautiful emerald green river nearby. You can walk from the parking lot to Iwana no Satosa by crossing a suspension bridge, but if you don't cross the suspension bridge and instead climb a little higher, there is a place where you can look down on the river and suspension bridge from above, which is a very beautiful and recommended photo spot 📷 　 ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥୨୧ Location: Iwana no Satosa Address: 258-15 Tsukechi-cho, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture Access: About 40 minutes by car from Nakatsugawa IC Parking: Available (free) ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ #Gifu #Gifu sightseeing #Gifu nature #Nature #Breathtaking views #Relaxing spots #Lush greenery #River #Photo spots 2024

Fudo Falls in Gifu Prefecture is a waterfall that stands in the middle of beautiful nature. The powerful waterfall and the clear, green river are a beautiful spot for taking pictures. You can feel the negative ions and it was very cool even in the heat of September. ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ Location: Fudo Falls Location: Tsukechi-cho, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture Access: About 40 minutes by car from Nakatsugawa IC Parking: Available (free) ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ #Gifu #Gifu Tourism #Fudo Falls #Gifu Nature #Waterfall #Nature #Breathtaking View #Relaxing Spot #Lush Greenery #Photo Spot 2024

Kannon Falls is located further inland from Fudo Falls in Gifu, and you can reach it by crossing two narrow suspension bridges with a maximum capacity of three people. The footing is a little rough, but you can see the magnificent waterfall and it's a recommended photo spot. ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ Location: Kannon Falls Location: Tsukechi-cho, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture Access: About 40 minutes by car from Nakatsugawa IC Parking: Available (free) ୨୧ ‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥‥∵‥୨୧ #Gifu #Gifu Tourism #Kannon Falls #Gifu Nature #Waterfall #Nature #Breathtaking View #Relaxing Spot #Lush Greenery #Photo Spot 2024

Gifu Prefecture, Nakatsugawa City - A natural wonder created by nature, Ryujin Falls ☑️ Originating from Mount Okumikai at an altitude of 1810.6m in the Central Alps! A natural spectacle with multiple waterfalls formed by the rapid currents! ☑️ A waterfall that changes color seven times a day! Designated as one of Gifu Prefecture's famous waters, Ryujin Falls is said to change color seven times a day and is believed to be home to a white dragon! The cobalt blue basin is mystical! ☑️ Located within the Yuumori Campground! Ryujin Falls is the lowest waterfall, located within the Yuumori Campground, with well-maintained walking paths, making it an easily accessible spot! ☑️ Colorful light-ups during the season! Many people visit to cool off in the evening, making it a popular night spot as well! Great for Gifu travel and sightseeing! 📍 Ryujin Falls 1057-2 Kawakami, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, 509-9201

I went to #Ryujin Falls in #Nakatsugawa City, #Gifu Prefecture (((((((っ･ω･)っ It is one of the #50 Best Waters in Gifu, and is a mysterious waterfall with a beautiful deep blue basin where the legend of the dragon god remains✿ﾟ❀.(*´▽`*)❀.ﾟ✿ It is full of negative ions, so it is recommended when you want to feel nature ( '-^ )b It is a waterfall with a mysterious atmosphere, and when you cross the bridge, it feels strange somehow (。-∀-) smirk I want to spend a relaxing time without thinking about anything and just feel nature (*˘ᗜ˘*) #Tourism #Shinobi-chan

📍Ryujin Falls, Gifu Ryujin Falls is one of the 50 best waters in Gifu Prefecture. It is said to be a power spot with high transparency and changes color seven times a day, from cobalt blue to emerald blue. It is said that a white dragon lives in this waterfall, and there is a walking path up to the waterfall with a drop of 12 meters, so you can enjoy the deep blue of the waterfall basin from close by! ... I visited in the summer, but it's a spot where you can see colorful scenery all year round, including fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery ♡ ※We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes 👞 Add excitement to your daily life: 🌙 📍Ryujin Falls, Gifu📮 Kawakami, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture (inside Yumori Park) 🚗 About 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Nagoya Station Fee: Free #Sakura2024 #GifuTrip #GifuTourism #DomesticTrip #PowerSpot #Gifu

#GifuTrip #AmazingView #Gourmet #SummerShortTrip #EnjoyNature #UnexploredLand #RiverFish #SuspensionBridge #DriveTrip #NakatsugawaCity Visiting Sasa, the Village of Iwana It takes more than two hours by car from Gifu city, but the color of the river is just as shown in the picture! No photo editing. You can't get to Sasa without crossing the suspension bridge. The suspension bridge can only accommodate three people, so you have to cross in order after the first person gets off. Sasa, the Village of Iwana There is a parking lot for about 20 cars. Reservations are not accepted. There is a long line on weekends and holidays. Opens from 11:00, but if you are ready early, you can be seated before opening. We ordered the Hontani Set Meal with Roast Beef for 3,000 yen including tax. The Sasa Set Meal without Roast Beef is 2,500 yen. After eating, we soaked our feet in the cold river water and enjoyed a forest bath. The sound of the clear water and the mountain breeze will calm your mind. Please come and experience the extraordinary beauty of nature and enjoy trout and wild vegetable dishes. It will refresh your mind.

I love this place very much!! It is very beautiful, having ancient vibes and more importantly not many tourists around. There is a wide viewing platform. The shops, even restaurants, are mostly closed by 5pm. As suggested by the hostel, I had dinner at one eatery and tried sukiyaki. It is a Japanese dish with beef, vegetables, tofu and noodles with sake in the sweet sauce. Worthy to try!

#wecreate This is at the Magome end of the Magome- Tsumago trail which is also known as the Nakasendo trail. This route runs along the Kiso Valley and connected Tokyo with Kyoto during the Edo Period. It was mostly used by merchants. It is about 8 kilometers long and takes approximately 2-3 hours to walk at a leisurely pace. However, I took around 4-5 hours to complete 🤭There are small shophouses at the magome end and nice soba~ There are some good views along the trail that you can enjoy ~

In the past, when there were no railways, people who wanted to travel across the vast land of Japan could only rely on horse-drawn carriages. Because the distances to travel were very long, post stations were created to provide a place for people traveling between the north and the south to rest. In ancient times, there were several main roads for people to travel. Among them, Nakasendo, which started at Nihonbashi in Tokyo and ended at Sanjo in Kyoto, was one of the main roads. There are 69 post stations along the route, and Magome-juku in Gifu Prefecture is the 43rd post station. It is a good choice for traveling together with nearby Tsumago-juku. With the rise of railways, most of the lodgings have fallen into disrepair, and a few have been transformed into tourist attractions.

Magome-juku is one of the famous tourist spots in central Japan. Magome-juku is located in Nakagawa City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and is the remains of an ancient Japanese post road inn. Magome-juku was the main artery connecting Tokyo and Kyoto during the Edo period, and it still retains a strong Edo atmosphere. This time we drove from Nagoya to Gero and Takayama, passing through Magome-juku, where we visited and had lunch. After having a set meal lunch for around 1,000 yen at a random restaurant in Magome-juku, we took a walk along the cobblestone streets and visited traditional craft shops. Then we set off to Xialu. #See the Earth in an instant

Before transportation was well developed, people could only travel between Tokyo and Kyoto by walking or crossing the sea. The "Nakasendo" was an important main road connecting Tokyo and Kyoto that was opened during the Edo period. The total length of the Nakasendo Road is about 540 kilometers, and it is impossible to complete the journey in one day, so many "inn" were set up along the way for travelers to rest. The best preserved and most popular ones are Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku. These two inns and the section of Nakasendo in between are what we will introduce today. 📍 Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku are located in Gifu Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture respectively 📏 The middle road between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku is about 8.5 kilometers ⏱ It takes about 2 hours to complete this section of the trail (but leave enough time to take photos, stroll around the two post stations, and eat local specialties such as Gohei Mochi and Soba noodles) 🚈 You can take a bus from JR Nakatsugawa or Minamigiso Station to Magome-juku or Tsumago-juku Walking between the two post stations, the historical buildings there are very interesting, and there are many folk crafts for sale. It really feels like traveling back in time to the Edo period. Although this section of the "Nakasendo" is the most popular section, there are not many hikers, and you can feel the tranquility there. #Overseas Travel #Japan #Countryside Series #Nakasendo #Magomejuku #Tsumagojuku #Time Travel #Hiking #Edo #Food #japan

The other day, I visited Nakatsugawa City in Gifu Prefecture, and decided to make a detour to Magome-juku, which I had been curious about. Magome-juku is a post town on the Nakasendo road, and is a scenic spot where the old streetscape remains intact among the mountains. There are many foods made with chestnuts, a specialty of Nakatsugawa City, on sale, and the chestnut steamed rice is particularly recommended. The incredibly sweet chestnuts go perfectly with salty glutinous rice. How about taking a stroll while looking at the old streetscape covered in snow? #gourmettrip #breathtakingview #snowscenery #Magome-juku

Magome-juku, located in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, is the 43rd post town on the Nakasendo road and the southernmost of the 11 Kiso post towns. It is a lovely tourist destination with a charming retro townscape. I recommend visiting it along with the nearby Tsumago-juku. It is paved with stone, has a great atmosphere, and is a popular place with foreigners. It had just rained on the day we visited, but the stone pavement is wet even on rainy days, creating a nice atmosphere. #retrotownscape

Magome-juku in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture It is the 43rd post town on the Nakasendo road, and the southernmost of the 11 Kiso post towns. It is a very popular tourist destination for both Japanese and foreigners, and its retro townscape remains. There are restaurants and souvenir shops, so you can enjoy lunch or tea. #retrotownscape

📍 Saya Nishiki / Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture A long-established Japanese sweets shop in Nakatsugawa Tea at the sweets shop inside "Suya" 🍵🍃 While being healed by a nice garden It is a shop where you can enjoy cool Japanese sweets 🧊 ✨ ✔︎ Chilled white ball The gentle sweetness of red bean paste and I felt happy with the chewy white balls ☺️✨ ✔︎ Ice confectionery A new sensation sweet that is different from shaved ice ◎ A fluffy texture like fresh snow ☁️❄️ (Snow, I've never eaten ... lol) The attached Nozawana was also delicious 🤤💚 The sweets shop (probably) didn't have air conditioning, I got a cold one, so it was just right

Access ◇Public transport From JR Nakatsugawa Station, take the Kita-Ena Kotsu Bus Magome Line for about 25 minutes and get off at Magome ◇Car About 20 minutes from Nakatsugawa IC on the Chuo Expressway. Turn right at the Okita intersection on National Route 19 towards Matsumoto and Kiso. Go straight on Prefectural Route 7 and turn left at the sign. During the Edo period, it flourished as a post town on the Nakasendo road, a highway connecting Kyoto and Edo. The old post town streetscape has been restored and preserved along the stone-paved slope. It is about 1 kilometer long and is uphill from the entrance, but you can climb the whole way in about 30 minutes, so it was just right for light exercise. There is a waterway at the end of the street, and two waterwheels along the way add to the atmosphere. There are many cafes, restaurants serving local cuisine, souvenir shops, and inns lined up, making it a nostalgic walk up the slope. In the center of the town, the birthplace of Toson Shimazaki, a master of modern Japanese literature, has been developed into the Toson Memorial Museum. The opening line of his novel "Before Dawn," "The Kiso Road is entirely in the mountains," is extremely famous. Even today, he is still the most famous person in Magome-juku, and can be seen on posters, flyers, and souvenir marginalia. #Magome-juku #Historic sites with a sense of history #Gifu Prefecture #Weekend ⛴⛴ #Couple trip #Breathtaking views #A trip to enjoy spring

If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of city life and yearn for a serene journey with a touch of historical charm, a short trip along the Nakasendo Trail from Nagoya is definitely worth considering. This time, I chose to visit two well-preserved Edo-period post towns—Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku—where stepping in feels like entering a time machine. Tsumago-juku, located in Nagano Prefecture, features streets lined with century-old wooden townhouses. Notable spots like Honjin, Kotokuji Temple, and Omatobashi Bridge are worth a stop. Heading south, you can either take a shuttle or hike to Magome-juku in Gifu Prefecture. Magome is a classic stone-paved slope town, filled with old houses converted into tea shops, souvenir stores, and local cuisine restaurants. It also offers rest spots like the Nakasendo Museum and the Watermill House. The 8-kilometer hiking trail between the two towns passes through bamboo groves and mountain landscapes, offering a dual experience of physical and spiritual rejuvenation. Walking along this historic path once traveled by ancestors, while watching the clouds shift over the mountains and listening to the babbling streams, is a profound historical experience. 📍 Must-Visit Spots: ✓ Tsumago-juku (Nagiso Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture) ✓ Magome-juku (Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture) Transportation Tips: Take the JR train from Nagoya to Nakatsugawa Station, then transfer to a bus to reach both post towns.

Walking along the historic stone-paved slopes of Magome-juku, I stumbled upon a hidden gem perfect for taking a break—the Waterwheel House. This renovated old building retains its traditional wooden structure, and beside it stands a gently turning waterwheel, adding a poetic touch of motion to the ancient path. Inside the Waterwheel House, simple seating and tea are provided, allowing travelers to sit back and enjoy views of the stream and mountains outside the window. The ambiance evokes the human warmth and rhythm of the old post town. Especially in autumn, when the red leaves reflect on the turning waterwheel, it's an ideal spot for photography or simply daydreaming 🍁. Volunteers often maintain the area in front of the house, and occasionally, you might meet enthusiastic elders who share stories of Magome's past. This place is not just a rest stop but a part of the cultural heritage of the ancient path. 📍Location: Waterwheel House (Midway along the Magome-juku ancient path, near the slope's turning point)

This time I visited Magome-juku, a small world full of local flavor located near the entrance - Magome-kan. This is a small shop that combines souvenirs, cafes and local culture, perfectly condensing the local spirit of Magome-juku in one space. 🛍️ Selected local goods The store is full of Nakatsugawa specialties such as chestnut gold balls, chestnut rice set meal preparation packs, kurifu (chestnut grilled) and hand-selected Nozawa vegetables. The dazzling array makes it difficult to choose... Especially the chestnut fragrance series of desserts is the most popular, which is the taste limited to Magome in autumn! 🎁 Souvenirs and local memories Many products are beautifully packaged and commemorative, such as tea cans, wooden spoons, handmade fabrics, etc., all carry the warm atmosphere of this ancient post. Locals recommend the chestnut glutinous rice preparation packs here, and you can also reproduce the flavor of Magome-juku when you go home. ☕ Store atmosphere and rest space If you are tired of shopping, you can simply drink a cup of matcha or local tea in the store, accompanied by snacks, while looking at the stone road and waterwheel scenery, the whole person will be slowed down by time, like entering the pause button of history. --- 📍 Location check-in: Magome-kan Address: Near the entrance of Magome-juku, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture --- #Magome-kan #Magome-kan #Souvenir selection #Chestnut delicious #Local good things #Ancient road walk #Magome local products #Travel memory #Nakatsugawa specialties #Japanese hipster shop --- Tip: When visiting Magome-juku, you might as well reserve a little more time. Walking into such a store, you don’t just buy a souvenir, but take away a memory of history and taste that is instantly touched. #May Good Place 2025

Walking in Magome-juku in Gifu Prefecture is like embarking on a journey on the Nakasendo in the Edo period. This is the 43rd post station on the Nakasendo, with long stone paths and old teahouses, perfectly preserving the quaint mountain city post station style. The streets are lined with traditional buildings with black tiles and white walls, selling chestnut snacks, Gohei cakes and handicrafts. Occasionally, you can hear the sound of water wheels. It is a quiet and poetic journey. What's even better is that from Magome, you can hike to Tsumago-juku, which is about 8 kilometers long and is the most classic route for hiking on the Nakasendo. 📸 Photography tips: Look at the post station from a high place at sunset, and there is a gentle nostalgia when the street lights are turned on. --- 📍Check-in location: Magome-juku Address: Magome, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture --- #Magome-juku #Nakasendo #Hike on the Ancient Trail #Edo Style #Nostalgic Journey #Gifu Secret Place #Magome-Tsumago Hiking #Stone Slab Old Street #Japanese Historical Attractions #Cultural Travel #Good Places to Go in May 2025

🏯Magome-juku is located in Gifu Prefecture. It is one of the 69 post towns on the Nakasendo Road and retains the unique style of the ancient streets in the Edo period. Strolling along the stone-paved slope, with traditional wooden townhouses on both sides, it is like going back in time✨ The teahouses along the street sell 🌰 chestnut desserts and 🍢 Gohei cakes, which are a good choice for replenishing energy. 🚆Take the JR Chuo Main Line express train from Nagoya for about 1.5 hours to reach Nakatsugawa Station, and then take the 🚌 bus (about 25 minutes) to reach Magome-juku. 🌄Walking along the ancient road, you can not only feel the strong historical atmosphere, but also overlook the magnificent Kiso Mountains from the observation deck⛰️. In autumn, the red leaves are colorful, which is perfect for photography enthusiasts; and in spring, the cherry blossoms are even more dreamy and picturesque. 🔖Warm Tips: It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes👟, as some sections of the road are steep; you can also combine it with a one-day tour of Tsumago-juku to fully experience the charm of the Nakasendo Lodging Station. #Magojuku #Nakasendo #Nakatsugawa #Ancient Street Tour #Edo Style #Chestnut Dessert #Gohei Cake #Kiso Mountains #Autumn Red Leaves #Japan In-depth Tour

Tokyo=> this village 193km (drive) There are trains, buses…. The experience is also interesting. For a day trip :)

#cityplaybook It is also known as a place associated with Shimazaki Fujimura, and the Fujimura Memorial Hall, which is located on the site of Shimazaki Fujimura's birth, exhibits manuscripts of works such as "Before Dawn" and "Eastern Gate". There are also many photo spots such as a water wheel that runs on the water of the waterway flowing through the Mago-juku, the cobblestone slope, and the observation platform with a panoramic view of Mt. Ena. It would be nice to take a commemorative photo while thinking about the romance of history. Throughout the year, various events such as the "Ice and Snow Lantern Festival" and the "Mago Shukuba Festival" are also held throughout the year.

From Nagoya, you can walk the Nakasendo route in one day. It's easy even for an unprepared tourist, the main thing is to know where it's easiest to start from. We were with a 3-year-old child and walked the route from Magome to Tsumago. It's in this order that the route is easiest to walk, since most of the route is downhill. And now a little more detail. 📌The most convenient and fastest way to get from Nagoya Station to Magome-juku is: 1. 🚇Train from Nagoya station to Nakatsugawa station, fast train - 50 minutes, slow - 75 minutes and twice cheaper. 2. 🚍from Nakatsugawa Station to Magome-juku by bus - The bus runs frequently, after exiting Nakatsugawa station, turn left and you will see the stop, payment on the bus is in cash. 📌And here you are already in one of the post towns - Magome-juku. Along the way there are many different cafes, souvenir shops, etc. you will never be hungry along the route! approximately in the middle of the way you will come across a hut where you can rest a little, drink tea (it's free) and continue on your way. 📌 Wear comfortable shoes and take enough cash for souvenirs and food) 📌 After walking the entire route, which is about 8 kilometers, you will find yourself in the second post town - Tsumago-juku, it is also beautiful, there are enough souvenir shops and places to eat. Spend enough time here! 📝 interesting observation - Magome-juku is in Gifu prefecture, and Tsumago-juku is in Nagano prefecture, so you will visit two prefectures and hike between them!) 📌 From Tsumago-juku, it is more convenient to take a bus to Nagiso Station and return to Nagoya from there. 🚍The bus stop is easy to find following the signs in the village. #japantrip #magomejuku #tsumagojuku #nakasendo #nakasendotrailfromnagoya #nagoyatrip