15Nakasendo Magome-juku & Tsumago-juku

"Nakasendo" is a traditional and historic road that spans over 500km from Kyoto to Tokyo, and was one of Japan’s 5 main roads created over 400 years ago. 14th of “Nakasendo” runs through Gifu Prefecture, and through the many valleys and trees, each individual season has its own special charm.
”Magome-juku” is one of Gifu Prefecture's 17 relay stations and is the one located in the most eastern point, between it and “Tsumago-juku” which is found in Nagano Prefecture, the road is steep, dangerous, and mountainous.
The name “Magome-juku” in Japanese is “馬籠宿”, “馬” means horse, and “籠” means basket, the name was created because you were unable to cross this road with a horse that had a carriage attached to it, and the travellers had to have the horse stay at the relay station.
On both sides of this cobbled road, there are old-style latticed window houses, museums, tea houses, souvenir stores, and much more that is recreating the image of an inn town from hundreds of years ago.

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