Magome/Tsumago
 

Hi all -- I’d really like to walk the Nakasendo Highway between Magome and Tsumago, but have a few questions… If I’m coming from Kyoto, what’s the best way to get to Magome? I checked out Hyperdia, and think that I have to go through Nagoya anyway, so I was thinking of dropping off my bag there (I already made reservations for two nights in Nagoya, so unfortunately won’t be able to stay the night at either town), then move on to Magome, etc. How much time would you allot for the walk to Tsumago and exploring both towns? Will I do the Nakasendo justice as just a day trip? Also, is starting at Magome recommended, or would it better to start at Tsumago? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I suppose that the day before you leave Kyoto you could ship your bags to your hotel in Nagoya.

You are right, you would have to go through Nagoya station. You could take JR to Nagiso then bus to Tsumago and walk to Magome. I think there are buses to Nagoya from Magome, else you would go to JR Nakatsugawa station.

Alternatively, you could take the train to Nakatsugawa then Magome, Tsumago, Nagiso, Nagoya.

The limited express trains north from Nagoya stop at Nakatsugawa. Only 4 of those stop at Nagiso each day. There are local trains between Nagiso and Nakatsugawa, but the LEX is the better way to go. I suppose you've see that info on hyperdia.

What you may not have seen is the LEX schedule to Nagiso. If you check hyperdia for Kyoto to Nagiso departing at 6:15 you will see that a Nozomi (you are buying point-to-point tix, I read on your other thread) that connects to a LEX that arrives Nagiso at 8:03. Only 1h 48 min. Also there is a 9:09 departure from Kyoto that arrives Nagiso at 10:58. If you took an earlier Nozomi then you could stash your bags at Nagoya station and make the LEX to get to Nagiso at 10:58.

The other place you could stash your bags would be at Nakatsugawa.

From what I have read, it is a day trip.

If you scroll down on the page listed below, you will see the transport routes:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6076.html

Wow, this is very helpful, mrwunrfl! I will definitely try to schedule around the LEX as you’ve recommended, though I’m still debating whether or not to head to Nagiso or Nakatsugawa first. I think the deciding factor will be the bus schedules between those stations and their respective post towns, especially for the return trip to Nagoya. Do you happen to know of an online resource for that, or would my best bet be visiting a tourist information center day of? (Alternatively, do you think the TIC in Kyoto would have those kinds of schedules?)

Also, luggage lockers are fairly commonplace, right? Should I be in a rush and not be able to store my bags at Nagoya station, I should still be able to find somewhere to put them, even at Nagiso, right? I hadn’t thought of shipping my bags ahead the day before, though I don't think it will be necessary as I hope to travel light. Out of curiosity, is this service mostly for hotels, or will they deliver bags to smaller inns, etc.?

The TIC might be able to help you out. Bus schedules online are in Japanese. There was a recent post about the buses that had some info. Also, you might ask over at japan-guide.com

You wouldn't be using the lockers in Nagiso because that would require a bit of backtracking. You'd have to go from Nak. to Nagiso to get your bags and then come back through Nak. to go to Nagoya. It is 11 (LEX) or 19 (local) minutes train ride but could be an hour waiting time. It could cost you 20 min or 2h 20min.

I am pretty sure they deliver to smaller inns.

In the lower left of the following page you a "Kiso Valley" link to a pdf with some info (the bus info is not very accurate, I think):

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/RTG/PTG/index.html

I see what you're saying about the backtracking... I guess the lack of sleep is starting to get to me!

I know the post you're referring to. I was just hoping that there was a later option than the 14:05 bus from Magome to Nakatsugawa, as we may linger at one of the towns (or somewhere in between) longer than we should. I noticed that there's a bus that runs between Magome and Nagoya, so that's an idea, though I can't find a schedule... Will definitely check out the TIC to see if there are other options. Thanks again for your help!

ok, am sure it will work out for you. Have a good trip!

Thanks! I leave just a few hours from now. Unfortunately, we're experiencing a terrible downpour -- I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the flight won't be delayed!