The essential route for Kyoto princesses marrying into Edo! Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku on the Nakasendo Road

#SeptemberDestinations2025
Getting There: From Nagoya, take the JR train to Minamigiso Station, then transfer to a bus to Tsumago-juku and then Magome-juku. Pay attention to bus times, especially the last bus.

Entering Tsumago-juku, I found the streets deserted, save for the occasional elderly local. It was so quiet that my footsteps became the noise! ​​There was literally no one there, so my photos were completely empty, no need for photo editing!

As Magome-juku sits on a mountain ridge, there are many slopes and stairs to walk up. Many old houses are built along the stone walls. There are more shops and restaurants here than in Tsumago-juku, and with the sound of the waterwheel turning, it feels quite lively!

The following introduction is excerpted from "Happy Shopping! Japan":
Nakasendo, one of the Five Kaido Roads of Edo, connects Tokyo's Edo Bridge and Kyoto's Sanjo-ohashi Bridge. Because it runs along the Kiso River, it's also known as "Kiso Road." In the past, the emperors used this route to marry princesses to Edo to maintain their relationship with the Tokugawa empire, often traveling along this route. It's also known as the "Hime Kaido Road"! This approximately 540-kilometer route boasts 69 post stations. Many of these post stations are still preserved today, with Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku being the most famous. Their quaint architecture and rich Edo-style charm have made them popular attractions in the Chubu region.

Post by Chengchichi | Oct 4, 2025