JOEJOURNEYS: Tsumago

September 24, 2012

Fujioto Ryokan - Traditional Japanese Inn

Located in Tsumago, surrounded by Japanese style gardens. The inn's restaurant serves famous local cuisine that has been enjoyed since the time of the Samurai and Shogun.

The Menu
Tasting plate of local specialities
Grilled Trout (Char)
Shinsyo
Salmon Sashimi
Hoba-miso
Shinsyu Beef Steak
Seasonal Soured Pickles
Seasonal Boiled Vegetables
Tempura
Local chicken Osuimono soup
Gohei-mochi
Today's Dessert

Non of the rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities, and in the traditional Japanese fashion, bathing and toilet facilities are shared. It has a Hinoki Bath, made from the famous scented Kiso Valley Cypress wood.

Photos of Fujioto Ryokan, Tsumago Japan 2012 © Joe Mendonca

Tsumago Post Town has been carefully preserved to capture the atmosphere and lifestyle of the Nakasendo towns visited by the Daimyo and his entourage during the Edo Period. Tsumago s 5 minutes by taxi and 10 minutes by bus from Nagiso station on the Chou line, 25 minutes by bus from Magome post town, and 4 hours from Tokyo by car/train

Links:
Fujioto Ryokan
Fujioto Ryokan - Tripadvisor

September 23, 2012

Tsumago - Magome Trail - Kiso Valley

A well maintained trail about 8 km long between Magome and Tsumago of the former Nakasendo route that ran along the Kiso Valley and connected Tokyo with Kyoto during the Edo Period.

Passing through the countryside and alongside the houses and fields of local residents. A walk along the Magome-Tsumago trail is a highly enjoyable part of visiting the Kiso Valley. From Magome to Tsumago involves less uphill walking than the opposite direction.

During the Edo period there were five roadways that connected Edo (modern day Tokyo) and outlying regions. The Nakasendo linked Edo and Kyoto and ran through central Japan. It had 69 posting stations of which Magome-juku was the 43rd. A walk though Magome-juku will transport you back to the Edo period, some 300 years ago.

Tsumago - Japan
Fujioto Ryokan - Traditional Japanese Inn