Nakatsugawa, Ena, Tajimi Travel Guides

The Nakatsugawa, Ena, and Tajimi areas offer tourist attractions such as Tsujido, Hakusanjin, and Higashiyama Onsen; sightseeing events such as horseback archery, the Toki Mino Ware Festival, and Noryo Kabuki; and local gourmet foods such as sweetfish sweets, Tajimi Arare, and Hakusekikan beer.

Nakatsugawa and Magome are post towns along the Nakasendo Highway and are located in Gifu Prefecture. The scenery of the old inn towns still remains, and visitors can feel the historical atmosphere of the area. Hiking while viewing the inn towns surrounded by nature is one of the best parts of a trip to Nakatsugawa and Magome.

Nakatsugawa, which flourished as the entrance to the Kiso Road, is located in the southeastern part of Gifu Prefecture near the border with Nagano Prefecture. The water quality of the river is very clean and the contrast with the surrounding mountains makes for beautiful scenery, especially during the season of fresh greenery and autumn leaves.

Sutechikyo Gorge, located about 90 minutes by bus from Nakatsugawa Station, is so beautiful that it has been selected as one of the 100 best forest bathing forests in Japan and one of the 50 best water sources in Gifu Prefecture. Even in summer, it is cool enough to play in the river and camp, so there are many ways to enjoy the area in addition to hiking.

It is also known for its beautiful autumn foliage, which attracts many tourists every year with its beautiful contrast of red-colored trees, clear streams, and valleys.

Then, about one hour from Nakatsugawa, you will reach Magome. This is the hometown of Shimazaki Toson, a great writer, and the setting of his novel "Before Dawn. The streets have been preserved as they were in those days, and a stroll while enjoying the atmosphere of those days is exceptional.

The stone-paved streets are reminiscent of the Edo period, and after passing through the scenery of the inn town, there is an observatory from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful mountains.

In addition, there are many facilities related to Shimazaki Toson in Magomejuku. Visitors can learn about Toson's footsteps and literature at Eishoji Temple, Toson Memorial Museum, and Shimizuya Museum.

There are also many gourmet spots around Magomejuku. Among them, the chestnut rice cooked with rice, which is described in the novel "Before Dawn," is a must-try. In addition, there are many restaurants where you can taste Gohei-mochi, a local dish of the Chubu region. The rice cake is served with sweet and spicy soy sauce and sesame sauce, making it a perfect accompaniment to a stroll around the area.

For those who are physically fit, hiking from Magomejuku to Tsumagojuku is recommended, an 8-km course that offers beautiful views of Gifu's mountains, including waterfalls and mountain passes along the way.

Why not visit Magome and Nakatsugawa, where the streets are full of historical atmosphere and the area is surrounded by rich nature?