Edo Highways 2026 : The journey from Magome-juku post 43 to Ochiai-juku post 44 on the Nakasendo

Ochiai-juku（落合宿） The route between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku features well-maintained post towns and historic highways where Japan’s traditional landscape remains preserved, making it very easy to walk and creating a welcoming environment for visitors. However, as the neighbouring post town of Ochiai-juku and the route leading up to it also offer many points of interest, we would be delighted if you could watch the video to familiarise yourself with the area beforehand. As there is a significant difference in altitude between Magome-juku and Ochi-juku, We recommend the route from Magome-juku to Ochi-juku, as shown in the video. There is only one toilet along the route, so we recommend using the facilities at Magome-juku beforehand. Along the trek, there is a viewpoint from which you can see terraced rice fields and the mountains of Gifu, allowing you to fully savour Japan’s traditional landscape, so we also recommend this route. At Ochi-juku, there are the remains of the former honjin (main inn), where exhibitions and guided tours are available (on weekends and public holidays). The volunteer guides here are very knowledgeable and provide detailed explanations of the history. we were also able to hear stories about measures taken against ninjas, so we would recommend this to a wide range of visitors. However, as the volunteers are elderly, they only speak Japanese, so we recommend installing a translation app on your smartphone. 馬篭宿ー妻籠宿は日本の原風景が残された宿場町や街道が整備されておりとても歩きやすく 訪問者を受け入れやすい環境が整った場所です。 しかしその隣宿である落合宿とそれまでの道中も多くの見どころがありますので動画で下調べしてもらえると嬉しいです。 馬篭宿ー落合宿間は標高差が大きいので動画のように馬篭宿〜落合宿へのコースがお勧めです。 街道間にトイレは１箇所ありますが、事前に馬籠宿で済ませておくことをお勧めします。 トレッキングの途中では棚田や岐阜の山々までを見ることができる展望台があり、日本の原風景を堪能できるので、こちらのコースもお勧めです。 落合宿では現存する本陣跡があり展示・ガイドによる説明があります（土日祝日）。 こちらのボランティアガイドは多くのことを知っており、歴史を詳細に説明してくれます。 忍者対策のお話も聞くことができましたので、幅広い方にお勧めです。 ただし、ボランティアの方は高齢のため日本語のみとなりますのでスマホに翻訳アプリを入れておくことをお勧めします