Walk the Nakasendo
Tsumago was a post town on the old highway between Kyoto and Edo. The most loved stretch is the forested walk to Magome, which most travellers complete in a few unhurried hours.
Visit Tsumago, Japan
The tiny town of Tsumago is an open-air museum of meticulously restored homes and shops, and a visit here offers you a glimpse into what life looked like during the Edo period (1603–1868).
Things to see and do in Tsumago
Stay in a family-run ryokan
Evening in Tsumago is the point: lanterns, wooden streets without cars, and a simple kaiseki dinner after the day’s walk.
Wander the restored main street
Cables are hidden, cars restricted and shopfronts kept in period style. It is one of the few places in Japan where the Edo streetscape still feels intact.
Best time to visit Tsumago
Like the rest of Japan, Tsumago is at its most vibrant in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). If you plan to walk the highway, May and October offer good conditions with thinner crowds than high summer.
Suggested itineraries featuring Tsumago
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Tsumago, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created around you.
Places near Tsumago
Photos of Tsumago
Our expert guides to exploring Tsumago
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Tsumago, these guides will help you make the most of your time there.
On foot in Japan: walking trails for all abilities
Exploring Japan on foot gives you access to hallowed pilgrimage trails, panoramic mountain passes and some of the oldest trees in the world. Our Japan specialists share their pick of the best, from gentle strolls to multi-day hikes.
What to do in Japan: our highlights guide
Having lived and travelled across the country, our Japan Specialist Caitlin has compiled her highlights, from observing centuries-old rituals to the learning about the most modern technology.
Accommodation choices for Tsumago
Daikichi Ryokan
Tsumago · Simple
Hanaya Ryokan
Tsumago · Simple
Ideas for experiencing Tsumago
Tsumago
Nakasendo Highway hike
The Nakasendo was once the principal route linking Kyoto and Tokyo, originally covering several hundred miles through the forested mountains of central Japan.
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