A scenic drive from Takayama to Magome.

July 17, 2023

"Takayama and the surrounding area boast traditional architecture, opulent festivals and a range of the best mountains and onsen in Japan.

Widely considered Gifu's crown jewel, Takayama is a fantastic destination surrounded by the scenic alpine countryside of the Japan Alps . A destination in itself, Takayama is also an excellent base from which to explore the Japan Alps and the surrounding Hida area.

akayama is a popular destination year-round but is paticularly busy for the Takayama Festival in spring and autumn.

On festival days, the streets throng with visitors and locals who come to watch the festival procession and see the ornate floats. Accommodation can be hard to come by, so booking ahead is essential if you want to be in town to catch either festival.

The heart of Takayama city, the Sanmachi area of preserved buildings, attracts tourists from all over the country. You could spend a whole day wandering these old streets, buying souvenirs from the many craft shops, sampling local tea and digging into local treats like wagyu sushi.

A number of sake breweries are also located in and around the Sanmachi district, and tasting is possible.

Explore the two markets, one on the bank of the Miyagawa River and another in front of Takayama Jinya. Every morning, merchants set up their stalls, selling local produce and artisanal craftworks."
--https://www.japan.travel/en/destinati...


"Magome is one of many villages along the Nakasendo way in Japan where you can still get a glimpse of traditional Edo period architecture, and where you can imagine what village life was like in the ancient Japan.

Magome is located in the middle of the beautiful Kiso Valley, in Gifu Prefecture, right between Kyoto and Tokyo and less than 100km east of Nagoya.

From Magome, it is possible to hike on the Nakasendo Way to the neighboring village of Tsumago. This 8km section allows you to see two of the most beautiful villages in the region, and it is undoubtedly the best preserved part of this mythical path. If you ask us, A MUST in Japan!

A bit more north you will find another beautiful and well preserved village: Narai Juku. Another must-see along Nakasendo.

In the Kiso valley, Magome Juku is one of the most authentic villages because it is almost entirely made up of traditional wooden houses dating originally from the 18th century.

Totally devastated by a fire in 1894, these houses were restored to their original appearance.

The path that crosses Magome is called the Kisoji and connects the 11 villages of Nakasendo grouped in the Kiso valley. These 11 villages all have “remains” of this past, from small historical monuments to traditional houses. The most beautiful villages on this path are Magome, Tsumago or Narai.

Have you heard of Nakasendo before? If you want to see the historical and authentic Japan, then this is one of the best places to discover! We first learned about Nakasendo while watching a documentary about Joanna Lumley in Japan. You can find it on Netflix."
--https://afuncouple.com/magome-japan/