Snowy Magome-juku: Preserved Japanese Post Town Charm
Enchanting snow-covered streets of Magome-juku, a historic Japanese post town, with preserved wooden architecture.

Magome for All Tastes

Discover the picturesque little village of Magome at all seasons. Whatever the weather, this place isn’t lacking in charm!

Deep in the Japanese Alps, in the prefecture of Gifu, a village has preserved its charm of yesteryear: Magome-Juku. Guided tour available.

Picturesque stopover on the Nakasendo

Magome, now part of the city of Nakatsugawa, was once a prosperous staging post on the Nakasendō (“central mountain route”). Like Narai it was a stage on this ancient trail.

Magome-juku
Magome-juku

Benefiting from the steady flow of visitors, the stopover enjoyed a prosperous economy in the Edo era. In 1843, its 69 dwellings housed over 717 residents.

Magome-juku
Magome-juku

With the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and restoration of imperial rule under the emperor Meiji (1868), development of the railway meant that the trail lost much of its traffic.

Magome-juku
Magome-juku

Magome-Juku is known as the most “authentic” village in the Kiso valley, although almost completely destroyed by fire in 1894. The traditional wooden houses seen today were restored to their original state during the 20th century.

Magome-juku
Magome-juku

The nostalgic charm of Edo Japan (1603–1867) has been successfully rehabilitated: even Michelin was convinced and awarded a star in its famous guide. Along the steep stone track traditional buildings host shops and tearooms.

Magome-juku
Magome-juku

Magome is one of the few staging posts in the archipelago to be built on such steep terrain. This peculiarity has earned its name. The characters used are “horse 馬” and “basket 籠”, from the fact that the topography obliged travellers to leave their beasts of burden at the foot of the village and walk up to the inn.

Magome-juku
Magome-juku

Nakasendo trail

In Edo Japan five major trade routes connected the country’s major cities. Among them, the Nakasendō connects Tokyo (political capital) to Kyoto (cultural capital). Unlike the Tōkaidō (eastern sea route), which runs along the shore, the Nakasendō crosses the interior of the country through the Alps.

Nakasendō, the central mountain route, was built after the Tokugawa shogunate came to power in the 17th century. The trail joins the Kisoji road (木 曽 路), which had connected Niekawa (Nagano) to Magome (Gifu) since the 8th century.

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

Instagram

Emerald forest, Cradling sapphire heartbeats— Nature whispers love. エメラルドの森が、 サファイアの鼓動を包む— 自然は愛をささやく。 #LakeToyoni #Hokkaido #HeartShapedLake #AerialView #NatureLovers #offbeatjapan #japan
Steam dances on wind, Nature's warm embrace, serene— Sky whispers above.  風に舞う蒸気、 自然の温かい抱擁、静か― 空が上でささやく。  #onsen #japan #serenity #naturebath #culturalheritage #offbeatjapan #tranquility
Pink blooms, sapphire sky, Fields alive, sakura sigh— Rural whispers bloom. 桜咲く 翡翠の空の下 田舎の声 #sakura #cherryblossom #hanami #rurallife #japan #offbeatjapan #japaneseculture
Emerald pastures, A whimsical cow greets clouds— Nature's gentle jest.  翡翠の野原、 ふわふわの雲に笑う— 自然の優しい冗談。  #offbeatjapan #japan #artinnature #greenthailandscape #whimsicalart #cowart #sereneviews
Soft waves kiss the light, Stone lantern in dusk's embrace, Gold whispers to blue. 静かな波 黄昏の灯籠 金が青に囁く #offbeatjapan #japan #serenesunset #japaneselantern #duskbeauty #tranquility #japanesegardens #eveningcalm
Waterfall whispers, Sunbeams dance with lush green life— Harmony's embrace.  滝のささやき、 日光は緑と踊る— 調和の抱擁。  #waterfall #forestmagic #japaneselandscape #naturephotography #serenity #offbeatjapan #japan
Pearl bridge in the wind, White and blue in harmony, Sky whispers softly. 風に白橋、 調和する青、 空は静か。 #AkashiKaikyoBridge #PearlBridge #offbeatjapan #Japan #EngineeringMarvel #ScenicJapan #UrbanNature #BridgeViews
Azure seas below, Cliffs embrace in vibrant hues, Nature's tapestry.青い海 鮮やかな崖たち 自然の織物#offbeatjapan #japan #okinawa #naturephotography #islandparadise #coastlineviews #japantravel