Tsumago-juku

Tsumago grew where the Nakasendo, the inland road between Edo and Kyoto, met the Ina road, and it counted 42nd of the route's 69 stations from Edo. Once the railway and new roads bypassed it in the Meiji era, the town sank into decline. Residents started one of the country's first preservation movements, formed a society in 1968 and in 1971 adopted a charter that keeps every house and field in local hands and standing. The state selected the street as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1976.

The old Nakasendo runs 9 km from Tsumago over Magome Pass (790 m) on the Nagano–Gifu border to Magome-juku in Gifu, and the walk takes two and a half to three hours. From Tsumago the climb to the pass is long and gentle, and the Magome side is short and steep. For a shorter day, ride a bus or car to the pass and walk downhill to Tsumago in about 90 minutes. The old Ichikokutochi tea house on the way is a free rest stop.

From 20 March to 30 November 2026 the tourist information centres forward bags between Tsumago, Otsumago and Magome for ¥1,000 each. Drop them off between 8:30 and 11:30 and collect them from 13:00. Bears have been reported coming down near villages lately, so the Tsumago and Magome information centres rent bells for a ¥100 fee.

JR Nagiso Station is about 10 minutes away by taxi or 40 minutes on foot along the old road, and a local bus also runs. Nagiso sits on the Shinano limited express line, about 2 hours 40 minutes from Tokyo via Nagoya by Shinkansen.