"📍 Magome Pass 馬籠峠 @ Nakasendo Trail, Gifu 🇯🇵

We reached Magome Pass (馬籠峠) on 14 November 2025 while hiking the Nakasendo Trail from Magome to Tsumago, and the scenery during autumn was absolutely beautiful. The forest was glowing with red, orange, and yellow leaves, creating a peaceful and scenic walk.

The path leading up to the pass is gentle and well-maintained. After passing the viewpoint above Magome, the trail moves deeper into the forest before opening up at the pass, where there is a small shelter and benches — a perfect rest stop before continuing toward Tsumago.

As the trail descends, it transitions smoothly from forest paths into the charming small-town scenery of the Nakasendo villages. This shift in landscape feels natural and is one of the highlights of the hike.

Along the journey, you’ll pass local homes where villagers display cold water bottles outside their doors for hikers — a thoughtful gesture. You will also see ripe persimmons (吉子) drying outdoors under the sun, prepared as winter snacks (干し柿). These bright orange persimmons are not only delicious but also symbolise “吉利” (good fortune / auspiciousness) during the New Year season, adding a meaningful cultural touch to the walk.

On a sunny autumn day, the sunlight shining through the colourful leaves and the orange persimmons creates a nostalgic rural scene.

Magome Pass is a great place to:
• 🍁 Enjoy beautiful autumn leaves
• 🥾 Take a break before descending
• 💧 Buy cold water from local houses
• 🧡 See persimmons drying outdoors for winter snacks
• 🎋 Appreciate the symbolic meaning of persimmons (吉利)
• 🏘️ Continue towards the small-town charm of Tsumago

A peaceful, scenic, and culturally rich point on the Nakasendo Trail —
perfect for enjoying nature, village life, and the symbolic traditions of the region. 🍁🌲🏘️🥾✨"

The Lost Forest Mum

"Steps Back in Time: Walking the Magome-Tsumago Post Town Trail
​The walk between Magome and Tsumago is a journey through time. It's the most famous and best-preserved section of the Nakasendo Trail, an ancient trade route that connected Kyoto to Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo Period (1603–1868). Today, this path is 8 kilometers of historical tranquility, cutting through the lush and enchanting Kiso Valley.
​Magome: A Vibrant Start on the Slope
​The journey often begins at Magome-juku, a picturesque post town built entirely on a steep slope. Its main street is inclined and lined with reconstructed wooden houses with tiled roofs, small watermills, and shops selling traditional Japanese souvenirs and sweets like Gohei Mochi (grilled, skewered rice coated in a sweet glaze). The atmosphere here is lively, and the view from the town’s upper section overlooking the Kiso Valley is stunning.
​The Trail: Forests, Waterfalls, and Rural Calm
​Leaving Magome leads you deep into the dense forest. The path itself is mostly easy to walk—combining stretches of ancient stone pavement used by travelers centuries ago, soft dirt paths shaded by cedar and cypress trees, and sections passing through green bamboo groves.
​The hike is considered easy to moderate. It's recommended to start from Magome to Tsumago because most of the path is a gentle descent or flat after the initial climb over the mountain pass leaving Magome.
​Along the way, you'll encounter:
​Bear Bells: Large brass bells are hung beside the path, which hikers ring to deter local bears (although the chance of an encounter is low, it's a fun tradition).
​Rushing Waterfalls: Two small, beautiful waterfalls (Otaki and Metaki) provide a refreshing break.
​The Historic Teahouse: Near the halfway point, you’ll find Ichikokutochi Tateba Chaya. This traditional wooden hut is where local volunteers often greet passersby with free hot green tea and sweets. It’s a wonderful spot to rest, chat with other hikers, and feel the spirit of Japanese hospitality.
​The dominant sounds on the trail are the murmur of the river, the chirping of birds, and the clang of the bear bells echoing through the woods—a constant reminder that you are far from the urban noise of modern Japan.
​Tsumago: The Perfect, Most Preserved End
​Arriving at Tsumago-juku is the climax of the trip. This post town is considered the best-preserved along the Nakasendo. Here, authorities made a conscious decision to ban utility poles and modern advertising signs to preserve the town's appearance exactly as it was centuries ago.
​In Tsumago, the traditional buildings (including the Waki Honjin, the historic secondary inn) look as if time has stood still. Tsumago offers a quieter, more dignified atmosphere than Magome, making it a perfect end to a day rich in nature, history, and tranquility."

Yariv Koren

"Amazing! Had an incredible day walking the pass with my mom. We walked in direction Magome to Tsumago, which was definitely easier than it would have been the other way round. After Tsumago we walked further to Nagiso Station. This part of the walk we saw less hikers coming our direction.

In the middle of the trail there was a tea house with an elderly man serving us tea for free. He does it with so much care, a great resting moment.

The trail has beautiful nature and was a great way to clear our heads."

Lucienne