This post is continued from Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 3, Kakunodate to Nagoya via Sendai and Yamadera.
On 4th day of my trip, my trip was getting crazier and crazier. I visited the places as many as I could. Please do not copy my trip plan but I am sure I can share tons of information from my trip. I made a trip from Nagoya to Takaoka in Toyama prefecture. I dropped by Magome, Matsumoto, Shinano-Omachi, Itoigawa and Toyama on the way to Takaoka. I will show you the first half of 4th day of my trip.
Nagoya to Magome
Nagoya 8:00 (Shinano 3) 8:50 Nakatsugawa 9:10 (Local bus) 9:35 Magome
I got on Limited Express Shinano. It was about one hour trip to Nakatsugawa where is the gateway to very popular post town, Magome.
Nakatsugawa station is very small. There are two platforms and three tracks. There is only one ticket gate and you cannot miss it.
The bus to Magome depart from the bus stop just in front to the station.
Walking in Magome-Juku
Magome is one of 69 stations on “Nakasendo”. Nakasendo is one of five ancient main route in Edo era. Now Magome is restored and it is a preserved post town now. We can see many of historical buildings.
The bus stop of Magome is located at the lower side of main street. You can start walking through the street to upper side.
When I visited there, it was early morning and most of shops were still closed. It was very very quiet. Nobody was there when I got there.
It was a nice day but cold.
Many travelers hike to next post town, Tsumago. You can access to the trail to Tsumago from upper side of Magome easily.
Magome to Matsumoto
Magome 10:15 (Local bus) 10:40 Nakatsugawa 10:50 (Shinano 7) 12:04 Matsumoto
After visiting Magome, I went back to Nakatsugawa to take another Limited Express Shinano to Matsumoto.
It was very mild winter but there were some snow on the way to Matsumoto.
I enjoyed 1 hour train ride and arrived in Matsumoto station.
Even though I stayed in Matsumoto for just one hour, I could not skip Matsumoto castle. It was 15-20 minutes away from Matsumoto station.
This castle is one of four castles that have original building. Matsumoto castle is also register as National Treasure. I could see Matsumoto castle and Japanese Alps Mountains in the distance. It was such a gorgeous view.
I did not have enough time but I needed to eat something. Because I did not have any chances to eat until I got Shinano-Omachi around 14:00. I had Soba (buckwheat noodle) at the noodle stand in front of Matsumoto station.
In the next post, I will show you the second half of the trip on day 4 at Shinano-Omachi, Minami-Otari, Itoigawa, Toyama and Takaoka.
Continue to next post, Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 5, Matsumoto to Takaoka via Toyama.
Comments
Nakasendo trail hike
4. Monday 23/9
Dear Takeshi San,
Can you kindly take a look at my itinerary and advise the transport and the rail passes?
We are staying in the Swisshotel Nankai Osaka
We are arriving on 20/9 but airport transfer is provided by the company. Our Nakasendo hike starts on 23/9. We have not planned what to do in Osaka from 20-22/9 – very likely just traveling around Osaka (my husband is on conference so I will be on my own) –
I have visited the main sights in Osaka previously. I may visit Kuramon market and the outlets like Rinku ( I can’t visit Rinku on the way from or to airport)
or Mitsui. – should I use the ICOCA card?
Nakasendo hike – we use the JR rail pass
Mon 23/9
Leave for Shin-Osaka station to take the Shinkansen Hikari train to Nagoya station
Namba Nankai station via Midosuji line to Shin Osaka station
Shin-Osaka station via Shinkansen Hikari (JR rail Pass) to Nagoya Station
Nagoya station via JR express train # to Nakatsugawa station
Take local bus #to Magome
Walk to Tsumago (8km)
Tues 24/9
Walk to Nagiso station (5km)
Nagiso station via JR local train #to Kisofukushima station
Lunch
Take local bus #to Kaidashisho
Walk thru Shiroyama pass (8km)
Return back to Kisofushima
Wed 25/9
Kisofukushima station via JR local train #to Yabuhara station
Walk thru Torii Pass to Narai (8km)
Lunch
Narai via JR local train # to Kisofukushima
Kisofukushima via JR express train # to Matsumoto
Take Alpico limousine bus to Takayama
Take hotel bus to ryokan
Thurs 26/9
Take hotel bus to Matsumoto station
Visit Matsumoto castle
Explore Matsumoto city
Take Alpico express bus to Takayama bus terminal
Walk or take taxi to ryokan
Fri 27/9
Explore Takayama city
Takayama station via JR express train Limited express Wide View Hida to Nagoya station*
Nagoya station via JR Shinkansen Hikari to Shin Osaka station
Shin Osaka station via Midosuji line to Namba Nankai station
* We want to leave Takayama at 1329 so that we can reach Osaka at 5 pm plus – – can I check the JR train Hida does not go all the way from Takayama to Osaka at this time unlike the timing that you suggested on another post below
Takayama 15:38 -> 17:36 Gifu 17:43 -> 19:17 Kyoto 19:18 -> 19:44 Shin-Osaka 19:45 -> Osaka 19:50
Is there another earlier timing for direct limited express wide view Hida that goes directly from Takayama to Shin Osaka without having to change train in Nagoya station?
# for the JR express train and local train and local buses – which ones are covered by the JR rail pass?
Sat 28/9
Leave for Shin Osaka to take Sanyo Shinkansen Sakura to Hiroshima
Namba Nankai station via Midosuji line to Shin Osaka station
Shin Osaka station via Sanyo Shinkansen Sakura to Hiroshima station
Explore Hiroshima and Miyajima
Return to Osaka
Hiroshima station via to Shin Osaka station
Shin Osaka station via Midosuji line to Namba Nankai station.
Sun 29/9
Depart from Osaka in the morning – airport transfer provided by company
** when should I activate the 7 day JR rail pass ( I will buy the one with Green car for seat reservations) – 22/9 to 28/9?
For the other one day 21/9 – do I use the ICOCA card ? I will only be traveling around Osaka to shop or buy food, not to main tourist sights
Hi Patricia san,
You may use JR pass as you thinking for 22 to 28. Please see the link below to find the deal in Osaka:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
There is no earlier direct train of Wide View Hida to Osaka. You must change trains at Nagoya.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi-san, is the bus stop from Magome back to Nakatsugawa on the opposite side of the road, or is it the same place where you would get off the bus at Magome?
Does this bus between Nakatsugawa and Magome accept IC card?
Thank you!
Hi Mark san,
It’s located at opposite side.
The bus does not accept IC card. You need to prepare some cash.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com