We’ve had more rain than expected this autumn.

And some of it has been heavy!

So, for those of you travelling on foot, here’s a look at rain gear and a coin laundry where you can dry your shoes.

First up: raincoats. Japan is humid, so people often use umbrellas when it rains. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find raincoats.

They might just be lighter and thinner than the ones you’re used to.

“This thin? Will it really do the job?” you might wonder. But with Japan’s humidity, as we mentioned, lightweight and breathability are important in a raincoat.

But they do keep the rain out. (Note 1)

It can help you on your travels!

So many different raincoat options!

The photo shows examples of rain gear. Products and designs vary by shop and may change.

And then there are umbrellas.

You might not use one much back home, but they’re common in Japan. Convenience stores sell inexpensive clear plastic umbrellas, too.

They may be inexpensive, but they rarely seem to break unless the wind is strong. And they’re light!

If rain looks likely, you might find one useful as an umbrella—and even as a walking stick (!). (Note 2)

You’ll also find waterproofing sprays like this one at 100-yen shops. Spraying your shoes in advance can help repel some water. Test it on a small, hidden area first to check for discolouration. (Note 3)

And if your shoes are wet right through, a shoe dryer at a coin laundry is worth knowing about. (Note 4) The rain-gear shops and coin laundry mentioned here are all within roughly a 10-minute walk of The RYOKAN O. (Note 5) Handy!

Here’s where to find them!

Where to buy umbrellas and raincoats

Convenience stores near the station (7-Eleven) and the station shop

Useful if you’re caught in a sudden shower. Prices vary by product, and limited stock means items may sell out.

What you can find: raincoats and umbrellas.

Luvit Town Nakatsugawa

The DAISO shop on the second floor sells rain gear too. Some items cost more than 100 yen.

Want something you’ll keep using back home? Try shimizuya on the first floor for more substantial options.

What you can find: lightweight plastic ponchos, folding umbrellas, waterproofing spray and more.

A coin laundry for washing and drying shoes

Coin Laundry AM

You’ll find it near Luvit Town, on the same site as Kusuri no Aoki Nakatsugawa Chuo, a drugstore. Kusuri no Aoki sells umbrellas and raincoats too.

Coin Laundry AM and nearby landmarks

North is at the top. Nakatsugawa Station is in the upper left. The RYOKAN O is southeast of the station, with Luvit Town farther southeast. The red pin marks Coin Laundry AM, just east of Luvit Town. Look for the road label “Old Nakasendo” near the top of the map.

Open Coin Laundry AM in Google Maps

Map: Google Maps / Map data ©2026. Captured September 16, 2026.

A coin laundry with a casual feel.

You can dry your shoes here! Drying costs ¥100 for 20 minutes. Washing, in a separate machine, costs ¥200 per cycle. (Note 4)

At the time of the visit, the change machine accepted only ¥1,000 notes. Bring ¥100 coins.

It’s open from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Still, a very late laundry trip won’t leave much time to rest after a day of travelling. Why not fit it in while you’re out shopping?

That’s one of the good things about staying in Nakatsugawa-juku, the old post town: these practical stops are close at hand. You’re here on a trip, after all. Let’s enjoy the unexpected, too!

Notes

1. Light, thin fabric is not necessarily breathable. Waterproofing and breathability vary by product. For a long walk, check that your rain gear is suitable for the activity.

2. Do not use an umbrella as a walking stick, put your weight on it, or use it in strong winds.

3. Read the waterproofing spray’s instructions. Wear a mask and use it outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Avoid inhaling the mist or spraying it towards others. Check that it is suitable for your shoes’ material.

4. Shoe washers and dryers are separate machines. Leather shoes, spiked shoes, rain boots and slippers cannot be washed in the shoe washer. Follow the shoe and machine labels when drying, too. Drying time depends on the material and how wet the shoes are; 20 minutes does not guarantee dry shoes.

5. Walking times are estimates from the original report and vary by route and walking speed. Product availability, stock, prices, opening hours, laundry charges and change-machine requirements may change. Check the signs in store when you visit.

Do not push on with a walk in heavy rain. Check current weather and evacuation information, and keep away from swollen rivers and drainage channels.

Written by Nakatsugawa Yuruyuru News

The post Rainy Day? A Guide to Japan’s Rain Gear and Coin Laundries! appeared first on Nakasendo Stays.

• Use Boarding Spot 3 at Nakatsugawa Station.
• Check that the bus shows route M and the destination Magome.

The same rule applies if you’re boarding at Yodogawa. Several services use that stop, so don’t choose a bus by the stop location alone. Check the destination display before you board.

This guide covers the timetable current in August 2026, fares, reservations, Japan Rail Pass coverage, how to ride, how to identify the correct bus at Yodogawa, and the return services from Magome to Nakatsugawa. If you’re still planning how to reach the area, see the Nakasendo Stays Access guide.

Last checked: 26 August 2026
Kitaena Kotsu currently lists the timetable revised on 1 October 2025. The times below match the published schedule as of 26 August 2026. Timetables can change, and services may be delayed or suspended. Check Kitaena Kotsu’s official timetable again before you travel.

Go to Boarding Spot 3 at Nakatsugawa Station

After leaving JR Nakatsugawa Station, look for Boarding Spot 3 in the bus area. An orange marking on the pavement points to the boarding position.

Buses for Magome, Sakashita, Tsumago and Nagiso all leave from this area. For Magome, check the display on the front or side of the bus for both of the following:

• Route: M
• Destination: Magome / 馬籠

A bus showing S Tsumago, S Sakashita or another destination isn’t the Magome bus.

Timetable from Nakatsugawa Station and Yodogawa to Magome

The scheduled journey takes about 25 minutes from Nakatsugawa Station and about 24 minutes from Yodogawa. Traffic and weather may cause delays.

Weekdays, Monday to Friday

Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

Kitaena Kotsu states that the weekend and public-holiday timetable also applies from 12 to 15 August and from 30 December to 3 January.

How to identify the Magome bus at Yodogawa

Yodogawa is the first stop after Nakatsugawa Station. If you count the station as the first point on the timetable, Yodogawa is the second stop.

Several bus services call at Yodogawa. Before boarding for Magome, look at the arriving bus and make sure it shows M Magome / 馬籠.

September warning: the seasonal S bus to Tsumago doesn’t go to Magome

On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from March to June and September to November, a seasonal S Tsumago service leaves Nakatsugawa Station at 14:40 and Yodogawa at 14:41.

That bus doesn’t travel through Magome. If Magome is your destination, don’t board based on the word “Tsumago” alone. Wait for a bus showing M Magome.

After arriving in Magome, travellers continuing on foot can use our guide to the classic Nakasendo walk from Magome to Tsumago.

Fare and payment

The published one-way adult fares as of 26 August 2026 are:

The child fare from Nakatsugawa Station to Magome is ¥400. Kitaena Kotsu generally defines the child fare as applying from age 6 to under 12; children who are still in elementary school also qualify until 31 March of their final school year.

You pay in cash when you leave the bus.

Do you need a reservation, and is the bus covered by the Japan Rail Pass?

No reservation is required, and advance seat reservations aren’t available for this local bus. The Japan Rail Pass doesn’t cover the fare, so prepare the regular bus fare separately.

How to ride the Kitaena bus

1. Enter through the middle door and take one numbered ticket from the machine near the entrance.
2. Check the fare display at the front of the bus. Find the amount shown under the number on your ticket.
3. Press a stop button after your stop is announced. Magome is the final stop.
4. When you leave, place your numbered ticket and the exact fare in the fare box beside the driver.

At Boarding Spot 3, the same steps are displayed in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.

The change machine accepts ¥1,000 notes. It can’t change ¥2,000, ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 notes. If you need change, use the machine while the bus is stopped.

Return timetable from Magome to Nakatsugawa Station

There are fewer return options than outbound services at some times of day. Check the last two buses that work for your plan before you start walking or exploring.

Weekdays, Monday to Friday

Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

Stay in Nakatsugawa and take a morning bus to Magome

If you’re planning to use a morning bus, arriving in Nakatsugawa the day before can make the next day’s journey easier to organise.

Nakasendo Stays is a directly operated accommodation brand for exploring the Nakasendo Trail and surrounding areas. Compare our places to stay in Nakatsugawa, then check the official booking page for current rates and availability. Rates vary by date, number of guests, room and availability.

Check availability with Nakasendo Stays

If you have a general question before booking or aren’t sure which property fits your route, contact Nakasendo Stays through our Contact page.

Contact Nakasendo Stays

Written by Takuji Funahashi

Sources and official information

• Kitaena Kotsu, Timetables and Fares
• Kitaena Kotsu, Magome Line Weekday Timetable, revised 1 October 2025
• Kitaena Kotsu, Magome Line Holiday Timetable, revised 1 October 2025
• Kitaena Kotsu, Magome Line Weekday Timetable (PDF), revised 1 October 2025
• Kitaena Kotsu, Magome Line Weekend and Holiday Timetable (PDF), revised 1 October 2025
• Kitaena Kotsu, Magome Line Fare Table (PDF)
• Kitaena Kotsu, Child Fare Guide (PDF)
• Japan Guide, Bus Timetables: Magome and Tsumago — reservation and Japan Rail Pass information

The post Nakatsugawa to Magome by Bus: 2026 Timetable, Boarding Spot 3 and Yodogawa Stop appeared first on Nakasendo Stays.

In this blog, we’ll share the charms of Nakatsugawa: views you won’t find on the usual tourist pages, little tips, and everything that makes your journey comfortable and fun. For our very first post, let’s talk about the town of Nakatsugawa itself.

Nakatsugawa sits at the southern foot of the Central Alps, in the Chubu region of Japan. It’s a charming town where magnificent mountain scenery, history, and traditional Japanese sweets come together in perfect harmony.

But you may know that much already — plenty of websites will tell you the same.

So from here, let’s look at the fun little discoveries you’ll actually run into the moment you step off the train in Nakatsugawa.

First, Nakatsugawa Station.

Step out of the station and look straight ahead: you’ll see two mountains, Maeyama and Mt. Ena.
Maeyama stands in front, and rising behind it is Mt. Ena, 2,191 meters tall.
You can see it clearly from Magome as well — it’s truly the symbol of a journey along the Kiso Road (※2).
While you’re in Nakatsugawa, this mountain will quietly watch over your travels the whole way.

Nakatsugawa still retains the charming scenery of old Japan.
Before you head on to Magome and Tsumago, take a little time here — you’ll find scenes of deep-countryside Japan.
Around The RYOKAN O (※3), you’re sure to find plenty of little things that catch your eye!

In the Edo period, Nakatsugawa flourished as a post town (※8) on the Nakasendo. As Japan modernized, it grew into a town of railways and industry.
The old Nakasendo remained in use as an everyday local road, but for a while it was seen as little more than a relic of the past.
That is, until travelers like you began to come from overseas.

Most visitors to Nakatsugawa are looking forward to the journey on to Magome and Tsumago.
And the base camp for that journey is Nakatsugawa itself. This is a town where you can walk the samurai road of the Edo period — and feel the layers of many other eras as well.
Here you can enjoy the Japanese countryside you may have seen in manga and anime. It’s not a theme-park recreation — it’s a landscape that has simply, naturally remained.
And the best part? You can enjoy it all on a short stroll, before you even set out for Magome and Tsumago.

We hope you’ll find your own favorite places and experiences on this journey!

Written by Nakatsugawa Yuruyuru News

Notes

※1 The Nakasendo: one of the five official highways of the Edo period (1603–1868), running about 530 km (330 miles) between Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Kyoto through the inland mountains, with 69 post towns along the way. Feudal lords, samurai, and merchants all traveled this road — hence its nickname, the “samurai road.” (Sources: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Nakasendo Rokujukyu-tsugi)

※2 The Kiso Road (Kisoji): the mountain section of the Nakasendo that runs through the Kiso Valley. Nakatsugawa is its southern gateway.

※3 A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, usually with tatami-mat rooms and futon bedding. The RYOKAN O is our inn here in Nakatsugawa.

※4 This cylindrical red post box (officially “Postal Box No. 1, round type”) first appeared in 1949 and was Japan’s standard mailbox until 1970. Roughly 5,000 of them still stand across Japan today — retro icons often featured in films and anime. They’re still in service, so you can actually send a letter from one. (Source: Postal Museum Japan)

※5 Nishinomiya shrines across Japan enshrine Ebisu, the smiling god of prosperous business and good fortune — one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods. Nakatsugawa’s Nishinomiya Shrine was founded in 1888 by local merchants as a branch of the head Ebisu shrine in Hyogo, and its Toka-Ebisu festival every January 10th fills the town with visitors. (Sources: Nakatsugawa Tourism Association; Nishinomiya Shrine head shrine website)

※6 Toson Shimazaki (1872–1943) is one of Japan’s great modern novelists, born in Magome — now part of Nakatsugawa City. His epic historical novel “Before the Dawn” (Yoake-mae, serialized from 1929) is set along the Kiso Road at the end of the samurai era, and its opening line is one of the most famous in Japanese literature. (Sources: Nakatsugawa City; Gifu Prefectural Library)

※7 An izakaya is a casual Japanese pub where you order small dishes to share along with drinks — a relaxed way to try many local foods in one evening.

※8 A post town (shukuba) was a rest station established along the Edo-period highways, offering inns and teahouses to travelers. Magome and Tsumago are two of the best-preserved post towns in Japan.

The post Welcome to Nakatsugawa! appeared first on Nakasendo Stays.

A Culinary Stroll Through the Historic Post Town with the “Nakatsugawa Restaurant Guidebook”

Autumn is the perfect season to explore Nakatsugawa and the historic streets of Magome-juku. The crisp air, colorful foliage, and quaint townscape make every step a delight.
But Nakatsugawa isn’t just about scenic walks — it’s also a hidden gem for food lovers. From sweet chestnut treats to savory miso-glazed rice cakes, the city offers flavors that reflect its rich local culture and history.

Today, we’ll introduce the “Nakatsugawa Restaurant Guidebook”, an English-language guide that makes discovering local cuisine simple, fun, and authentic.

Discover Nakatsugawa’s Local Flavors

Published by the Nakatsugawa Tourism Association, the guidebook features photos, menus, and highlights of restaurants, cafés, and sweet shops across the city.
It’s designed to be easy for international visitors to navigate, helping you find must-try dishes and hidden local favorites.

Where to get it: Available at the Nakatsugawa Tourist Information Center (1st floor of Nigiwai Plaza) and nearby accommodations.
Digital version: Read it anytime on the Nakatsugawa Tourism Association website.
Nakatsugawa Tourism Association Official Website

Taste, Talk, and Explore

With the guidebook in hand, wander the charming streets at your own pace and discover Nakatsugawa’s signature foods.

• Kurikinton (Chestnut sweets) — a delicate autumn treat made from locally harvested chestnuts.
• Gohei-mochi — grilled rice skewers coated in savory-sweet miso sauce.
• Soba noodles — handmade using pure mountain spring water for a fragrant, chewy bite.
• Local cafés and desserts — cozy spots perfect for a relaxing break.
  

When you find something you love, don’t be shy to say…

• “Oishii! (Delicious!)” to the staff
• “Osusume wa nan desu ka? (What do you recommend?)” to ask for local favorites
  If you get a little lost, try asking locals:
• “Kono shashin no o-mise wa doko desu ka? (Where is this shop

These small interactions often lead to warm memories, and sometimes even extra servings of delicious food.

Start Your Culinary Journey from Nakasendo Stays

Nestled in the heart of Nakatsugawa, Nakasendo Stays is the perfect base for your food adventures.
Grab your guidebook, set out for a day of tasting and exploring, and experience the city through its flavors — from traditional sweets and savory snacks to local specialties that only the area can offer.

With the guidebook in hand and your appetite ready, your Nakatsugawa culinary adventure begins here.

The post Walk, Eat & Discover Nakatsugawa appeared first on Nakasendo Stays.