Nakasendo (Magome to Tsumago)

Took an hour long train to Nagatsugawa and a 15 minute taxi in Megome. After dropping the bags for transport to the town we will stay at for the night, we started on the 6 mile hike through the mountains in Nagano Prefecture.

They are having a heat wave here (around 10F above normal) after rains which caused major flooding in the southwest of the country. So the heat index today was around 100F today. We were prepared but we were HOT.

Even so, it was such a treat to walk this beautiful road that has been in use for at least a thousand years. There were farms, private homes, lots of little shrines, and running water everywhere.

We pulled into Tsugome around 2 and grabbed a lunch of cold soba noodles and a treat of shaved ice with melon syrup, strawberry syrup or condensed milk on top.

Then we checked into the adorable Ryokan Fujioto in Tsugome for a shower and rest.Read more