Day 11 – Magome to Tsumago

What is the Nakasendo? Nakasendo  (中山道) was the inland road that connected Kyoto to Edo (aka present day Tokyo) during the Edo period. Current day Nakasendo Highway is an actual highway for cars/vehicles that run along side the Edo Nakasendo. Torii Pass (鳥居峠) is said to be the hardest part of the hike as it takes you up to roughly 1,800m elevation in the mountains.

Verdict, Magome Toge: The Magome Pass, which runs from Magome to Tsumago, is the most “famous” part of the Nakasendo.  The hike itself was much easier compared to Torii Pass, it still took roughly 3hrs to hike to Tsumago. Of the two Nakasendo hikes I did, Torii Pass and Magome Pass, I really loved Torii Pass alot more. However, the really beautiful thing about Magome Pass, is that you have EXCELLENT and super beautiful views of the mountain ranges. Torii Pass was more nature/forest scenery.

So, I started the morning with a hello from Po-chan, the innlady’s doggy XDThen off I went! I started around 8:30am. The weather cleared up just for me!! hahaha Thank you God! =D As such, beautiful beautiful scenery *lovelovelove* Because of the multiple bear sightings, there are lots of these bear bells around the trail

Day 10 – Off to Magome!

What is the Nakasendo? Nakasendo  (中山道) was the inland road that connected Kyoto to Edo (aka present day Tokyo) during the Edo period. Current day Nakasendo Highway is an actual highway for cars/vehicles that run along side the Edo Nakasendo. Torii Pass (鳥居峠) is said to be the hardest part of the hike as it takes you up to roughly 1,800m elevation in the mountains.

Verdict, Magome-juku:   Magome is much more developed than Tsumago, and most tourists will stay here, and walk over to Tsumago. Of the four Nakasendo towns I visited, Magome was the prettiest, and also biggest tourist attraction, thus the most “developed”. Tsumago is like Narai, where everything is preserved from the Edo period.

Breakfast love

It was raining this morning, actually for this leg of the trip I have been really blessed with the weather. I would ran the day before and/or after my hikes! Thank you God! So it was raining this morning, and I only just had to walk like 30 seconds to the train station, literally. But the innkeepers were making a fuss, and I wasn’t too sure what was going on, anyways so I stood in the light rain while Tenshou drove his car over and loaded my suitcase into the boot. I got in the car, and 10 seconds later, got out of the car again! hahahahah! Japanese and their awesome hospitality =) They make me smile. hehehe!

And off I go again!Transfered in Nakatsugawa, where I saw an ad for Kuri-boy XD Kisoji is famous for chestnuts! Chestnut in Japanese is Kuri (栗).

My bus driver is styyyliiiiish!