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.

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

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Pines whisper secrets, Under curved tiles and clear skies, Stone lanterns in peace. 松が囁き 曲がる瓦の下、 石灯籠、静かに。 #offbeatjapan #japan #traditionandnature #dojospirit #japanesearchitecture #peacefulplaces #serenesettings
Golden sun descends, Terraced greens meet forest hues— Nature's gentle quilt. ---黄金の陽、 段々畑の緑、 自然の優しき織物。 ---#offbeatjapan #ricefields #shirakawago #japan #sunsetvibes #naturelovers #serenitynow #mountainlife
Sunlight weaves through wood, Chaos in lines, shadows dance, Nature’s art revealed. 光が木を通り抜け、 乱れた線に影が踊る、 自然の芸術が現れる。 #offbeatjapan #japan #natureart #abandonedbeauty #architecture #lightandshadow #hiddenwonders
Crimson gates align, Hearts carved on love's scarlet path, Pines bend to dreams' sea. ---真紅の門 愛の道に刻み 松は夢の海へ曲がる ---#ShintoSpirit #ToriiGates #LoveInJapan #CoastalBeauty #SereneJapan #offbeatjapan #Japan
Lanterns softly glow, Timber frames embrace the snow, Silent warmth below. ランタンの光、 木枠に雪が舞い、 静かなる温もり。 #offbeatjapan #japan #snowyvillage #japanesearchitecture #tranquilbeauty #winterserenity #lanternlight
Crimson gate stands bold, Where verdant hills kiss the sea, Spirits rest at peace. --- 紅い門 緑の丘と海の 平和な魂 --- #offbeatjapan #japan #shinto #torii #coastlines #spiritualpeace #naturephotography
Scarlet sunlit hues, Torii whispers to the dawn— Nature's quiet shrine. --- 緋色の光、 鳥居は夜明けに囁く― 静かな神社。 --- #offbeatjapan #japan #torii #spiritualjourney #sunrisevibes #hiddenjapan #natureandspirit
Whispers of spring's light, Sakura cascades unfurl, Nature's brushstrokes glow. 春の囁き、 桜滝のように、 自然の彩。 #sakura #springblossoms #japanphotography #japanesegarden #offbeatjapan #flowerwaterfall #japan