Nakasendo Magomejuku

Nakasendo Magome-juku is a post town area where you can enjoy satoyama scenery, located near the southern end of the Central Southern Alps at an elevation of about 600 m—roughly in the center of Japan. Walking the 600 m stone-paved slope lined with the old post-town streetscape, you can step away from daily life and spend a relaxed time with the sound of flowing water and birdsong. The town also has the Toson Memorial Museum, built on the site of the birthplace of the writer Shimazaki Toson, allowing you to learn Magome’s history. Places connected to Toson’s representative work “Yoake Mae,” such as Eishoji Temple and Daikokuya, are also here, letting you experience the world of the novel. It’s also fun to compare local snacks like freshly grilled senbei, gohei mochi, and oyaki—each shop has its own style. Every November, Magome hosts the Magome Shukuba Festival throughout the month; during the Akari Kaido, soft illuminates the town at autumn dusk, and you can enjoy atmospheric foliage light-ups at Shimada Park and the fall colors of Mt. Ena. In winter, the Hyosetsu no Akari Festival is held, displaying candle-lit ice lanterns and ice sculptures throughout the post town for a magical scene.