I Want to See The World ! : Another beautiful Japan... Magome and Tsumago-juku

January 13.... We woke up early this morning, around 0730 because we were planning to visit two of what so called "post towns" in Edo era, Magome and Tsumago-juku. A couple of Shinji's friend, Junko and Ken also tagged along with us.... Very nice and fun couple! We went there by train then continue on bus to Magome. Without JR pass, the trip could be quite pricey. Around 1000 + yen for a train ride to Nakatsugawa station then another 540 yen for bus ride to Magome. On the way back, bus ride from Tsumago-juku to Magome cost 600 yen, plus the same bus and train ride cost back to Shin-Moriyama station. JR pass does not cover these bus rides, since they aren't run by JR company.
A little history of the place, in Edo era people travel on foot to Edo (now is Tokyo) through a roadway called Nakasendo, about 500 km long connecting Kyoto and Edo. Magome and Tsumago-juku is part of 70 km route of Kiso valley, which was amalgamated into Nakasendo. Since people mainly travel on foot those days, these 'post towns' developed to give people place to rest and eat for the night... kinda like your rest stops along highways. The trail is well preserved, and the little towns along the way are well preserved too. The houses still lived in by people, and they're old Japanese houses. Very beautiful. Along the way are souvenir shops and liquor shops, mostly local stuff, and local restaurants. I couldn't help but to buy... ummm... just a few stuff (^^). The garden architectures on some of these old houses are simple and amazing. Many sakura trees along the way, I bet the place looks beautiful during sakura blooming season..... We had soba before heading to our 8 km hike to Tsumago-juku, which is the next 'post town'. Not much to say along the way to Tsumago-juku except for it was simply fun and amazing! Only pictures could tell the beauty of the place! Part of the trail is already in Nagano prefecture, hence the snow! Geezh.... never thought the snow would follow me from Canada! Along the way we also stopped by a couple of small but gorgeous waterfalls. We also stopped by a resting place, which was run by a local elderly and he served us tea and pickled daikon, plums, plum wine and gave us info, shown us pictures of sakura blooming in spring, provided washrooms, all for free! Maybe he enjoys talking to people.... as much as we enjoyed being his guests for few minutes! The hike itself took almost 2 hours, but the trail was very friendly and clearly marked, also we made stops along the way, so it didn't seems very tiring. The nature along the trail was beautiful, full of bamboo and I think it was cypress trees, which locals used to make geta and many other traditional Japanese household items. I almost bought a pair of geta..... I would've if I don't still have Thailand to go to! When we got to Tsumago-juku, the town was quiet, not too many tourists since it's low season. In the town there are also liquor, souvenir shops and restaurant. We stopped by a restaurant to have gohei mochi (made with rice and roasted, covered with yummie sauce made with miso, soy sauce, walnuts, sesame and some other ingredients) and Japanese green tea. Great yumminess ! We made it to the last bus heading to Magome. Since it's rural area, bus service are scarce, and last bus came at 1640..... By this time, it was getting very chilly and we couldn't wait to head back home. I highly recommend the long travel to Magome and Tsumago-juku. There is an option to stay there overnight too, since there are one or two guest houses along the way. When we arrived at Shin Moriyama station, we decided to end the night with Junko and Ken by walking to my fave ramen store, shisen ramen (the one with sesame paste soup base). We part our ways, saying goodnight, and I am hoping sometime in the near future I could meet these lovely couple again, maybe in Japan or I could be their host in my home countries... Indonesia and Canada! We ended the night by interviewing Vivian of what he thinks of Indonesian children we were trying to help, and if he has any brilliant ideas us adults are too complicated to be able to think of one. Shinji and I spent the rest of the night just hanging out, trying to enjoy our last night together before I head to Tokyo Monday night.