Travel from Osaka/Kyoto to Nakasendo Trail

In brief, travelers should go to Nagoya at first if want a hiking tour on the best section of Nakasendo Way – Kisoji trail in Kiso Valley. Shinkansen bullet train is the best choice to reach Nagoya quickly, then a transfer to Nakatsugawa by train and bus to Magome.

Magome Post Town

Step 1: Travel to Nagoya First

Kyoto to Nagoya Trains

Shinkansen is the best and fastest way to Nagoya, as Tokaido Shinkansen Line connects it with Kyoto & Osaka in the west. It’s the first step to go from Osaka or Kyoto to Nakasendo.

Kyoto-Nagoya Shinkansen Trains: 33-34min & JPY 5,170

Time Needed	33-34 minutes
First Train	06:14 or so
Last Train	22:46
Train Interval	Every 7-9min at most time; The maximum interval is no more than 15min.
Ticket Fare	JPY 5,170 (non-reserved seats) JPY 5,910 (reserved seats)

For the ticket fare of Shinkansen from Kyoto to Nagoya, it’s priced at JPY 5,910 for a reserved seat on Nozomi trains. On few Hikari trains, the fare is JPY 5,700 for a reserved seat.
The information may be subject to change.

Shinkansen Train

Normal Trains from Kyoto to Nagoya: 2h 12-33min & JPY 2,640 at least

Of course, it is also available to take trains not Shinkansen to Nagoya, which would be much slower but reasonably cheaper. Meanwhile, you have to transfer for one or more times on the way. Usually, it’s recommended to transfer at Maibara station on the journey from Kyoto to Nagoya - that is a route of Kyoto - Maibara - Nagoya.

Time needed: 2h 12-33min

First & Last Train: about 05:48 / 21:31

Ticket Fare: JPY 2,640 if no limited express train all the way;
JPY 4,370 or so if a limited express involved

Train interval: trains from Kyoto to Maibara depart every half an hour approximately

If you would like take normal trains to Nagoya, there are multiple transfer routes for your choice actually. You can search the routes via your Japan train app or Google Map. The ticket fare and travelling time might be varied if the route is different.

Osaka to Nagoya Trains

It’s also approachable to depart from Osaka. It is similar to that from Kyoto, as the Shinkansen trains would reach Kyoto at first and continues to run to Nagoya. However, it would take ten-odd minutes more for the extra section between Shin-Osaka Sta. and Kyoto. While Shinkansen is the most convenient way from Osaka to Nagoya, normal trains are also optional.

Japan Shinkansen Train

Shin-Osaka Sta. to Nagoya:

	Direct Shinkansen	Normal Trains with transfers
Time Needed	47-50min	2h 36-53min
First Train	06:00	05:23 or so
Last Train	22:30	21:05
Train Interval	Every 6-9 minutes for most of a day	Every 1h a direct train from Shin-Osaka Sta. to Maibara
Ticket Fare	JPY 5,940 - unreserved seats JPY 6,680 - reserved seats	JPY 3,410 at least

For few Shinkansen Hikari trains on the route, the ticket price is JPY 6,470 for a reserved seat.

You need to transfer on the way if take normal trains. Also, there are diverse transfer routes between the two stations, leading to a variety of pairs of the travelling time and ticket fare. Just follow the search result on your phone.

Maibara is the important transfer station on the way likewise, or you can also get to Kyoto at first. No matter which transfer plan you choose, the ticket fare is JPY 3,410 without a limited express train. If you take 1-2 limited express trains, the fare might be JPY 4,250-6,430.

Step 2: Nagoya to Nakasendo

It is the most convenient to go from Nagoya to post towns on Nakasendo Way in mountainous Kiso Valley. Magome and Tsumago are popular and easy to reach from Nagoya via Nakatsugawa and Nagiso respectively. Kiso-Fukushima, Narai, and more post towns are accessible, too, linked by JR Chuo Line.

1. Nagoya to Mogome via Nakatsugawa

Nakatsugawa is a post town at the mouth of Kiso Valley on Nakasendo Way, and it’s also the closest train station to Magome. Although there is no Shinkansen train, JR Nakatsugawa Station can be reached by limited express train and more trains.

As it’s quite a long way from Nakatsugawa to Magome (23km / 14.3 miles), it’s not suggested to reach there on foot. Bus is good at a relatively low price, while taxi is also an option at a much higher price.

Nakatsugawa Sta.

Nagoya to Nakatsugawa Trains:

	Limited Express Trains (Train Shinano to Nagano)	Express / Semi Rapid / Rapid Trains
Time Needed	48-50min	1h 13-25min
First Train	07:00	06:13
Last Train	19:40	23:07
Train Interval	Every hour	14-18min often the maximum interval won’t exceed 50min
Ticket Fare	JPY 2,540 (non-reserved seats) JPY 3,070 (reserved seats)	JPY 1,340

Nakatsugawa to Magome Bus: 25min & JPY 570

On arrival at Nakatsugawa Sta., you can turn left at the exit to find the bus stop with the code “M”, which is also marked to bound for Magome. There are 12 buses to Magome a day on weekdays, while 11 buses on weekends or holidays.

Timetable of the Nakatsugawa to Magome bus:

Weekdays	Weekends & Holidays
07:42, 09:10, 09:55, 10:45, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:15, 18:30	08:10, 09:10, 09:55, 10:45, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:45

As for the bus departing at 12:15, some stops on weekdays are different from those on weekends.

Nakatsugawa to Magome Taxi: 15 minutes & JPY 3,500

Nakatsugawa to Magome Bus

Totetsu & Kintetsu Toubi taxi companies run taxi between Nakatsugawa and Magome. You can get a taxi out of the JR Nakatsugawa Sta. to the taxi stand at Magome, which is situated by Magomekan Annex., the southern end of the main street of Magome. It is near the tourist information center.

If you call the taxi company to book or place an order, a pick-up fee of JPY 100 would be charged additionally.

2. Nagoya to Nagiso & Tsumago

Although Nagiso is not a post town on Nakasendo Way, it’s a crucial transportation hub on the trail. Close to the post towns of Midono and Tsumago, JR Nagiso Sta. is often the transfer station to famous Tsumago.

Direct Nagoya to Nagiso Train: Limited Express Train Shinano

1h-1h 3min, JPY 2,890 (non-reserved seats) / JPY 3,420 (reserved seats)
It’s the only direct train from Nagoya to Nagiso Sta., but there are only 4 trains a day, departing from JR Nagoya Sta. at 07:00, 10:00, 15:00, and 19:40 respectively.

Nagoya-Nakatsugawa-Nagiso Trains

More commonly, you need a transfer at Nakatsugawa. A local train from Nakatsugawa to Nagiso takes 18-19 minutes, 1-2 trains every hour from 06:03 (the first train) to 23:10 (the last train).

► It takes 1h 18-19min totally from Nagoya to Nagiso Sta. if you choose a limited express train to Nakatsugawa. In this case, JPY 2,890 (non-reserved seat from Nagoya to Nakatsugawa) or JPY 3,420 (reserved seats) is charged for the ticket.
► Otherwise, 1h 43min-2h is needed with non-limited express train all the way, which is slightly slower at a cheaper price of JPY 1,690.

Nagiso to Tsumago

Nagiso to Tsumago Bus Schedule

There are usually three ways to get to Tsumago after the arrival at Nagiso Station. As it is a small train station, it’s easy to find the bus stop and taxi stand in front.

Nagiso to Tsumago Bus: 7min & JPY 300
Two lines from Nagiso Sta. would go to Tsumago.
► For Hogami Line bound for Hogami, the bus departs at Nagiso Sta. at 08:40, 10:40, 12:40, 15:00 & 18:00. During New Year holiday from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3, the first bus at 08:40 and the last one at 18:00 are out of service.
► For Magome Line, the buses depart at Nagiso Sta., get to Tsumago at first, and terminate at Magome eventually. It departs at 10:10, 12:40, 14:15 & 16:35 every day. During Apr. 27 to May 6 & Jul. 27 to Aug. 25, there would be one more bus departing at 08:40 as well.

Nagiso to Tsumago Taxi: 10min & about JPY 1,700
Nagiso Kanko Taxi operates the taxies between Nagiso Sta. and Tsumago/Magome. It’s estimated that the taxi fare would be JPY 1,700 or so to Tsumago in about 10 minutes and JPY 3,500 to Magome in 30 minutes. If you call the taxi operator for a reservation or pick up service, an additional fare of JPY 150 is required.

Hiking: Hike along Nakasendo Way southwards to Tsumago, the 3-km (1.86-mile) distance would take around 40min.

Nagiso Bus - Magome Line

Direct Meitetus Bus: Nagoya to Magome/Tsumago

Meitetus Express Bus is also a useful alternative for travelling from Nagoya to Nakasendo Way.

Special Line to Magome & Tsumago	Lida Line passing by Magome
Service Period: a period in the year (depends on the plan of Meitetus Bus Company)	Service Period: all year around
	Time & Fare: 1h 20min & JPY 2,600

Boarding Site: the No.5/6 Check-in on 3F, Meitetus Bus Center, Nagoya

Notes:

Passengers have to make a reservation in advance via the telephone call or online booking for the two lines.

However, the bus stop of Lida Line is set by the expressway out of the post town, where 15-20 minutes’ walk is needed to enter the street of Magome.

JR Nagoya Sta., Meitetus Nagoya Sta. and Kintetus Nagoya Sta. stand together. Please pay attention to distinguish the stations.