Taking the local bus from Nakatsugawa Station to Magome is straightforward once you know two things:
- 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
| Nakatsugawa Station | Yodogawa | Arrive Magome |
|---|---|---|
| 07:42 | 07:43 | 08:07 |
| 09:10 | 09:11 | 09:35 |
| 09:55 | 09:56 | 10:20 |
| 10:45 | 10:46 | 11:10 |
| 11:15 | 11:16 | 11:40 |
| 12:15 | 12:16 | 12:40 |
| 13:15 | 13:16 | 13:40 |
| 14:15 | 14:16 | 14:40 |
| 15:15 | 15:16 | 15:40 |
| 16:15 | 16:16 | 16:40 |
| 17:15 | 17:16 | 17:40 |
| 18:30 | 18:31 | 18:55 |
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
| Nakatsugawa Station | Yodogawa | Arrive Magome |
|---|---|---|
| 08:15 | 08:16 | 08:40 |
| 09:10 | 09:11 | 09:35 |
| 09:55 | 09:56 | 10:20 |
| 10:45 | 10:46 | 11:10 |
| 11:15 | 11:16 | 11:40 |
| 12:15 | 12:16 | 12:40 |
| 13:15 | 13:16 | 13:40 |
| 14:15 | 14:16 | 14:40 |
| 15:15 | 15:16 | 15:40 |
| 16:15 | 16:16 | 16:40 |
| 17:45 | 17:46 | 18:10 |
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:
| Journey | Adult one-way fare |
|---|---|
| Nakatsugawa Station to Magome | ¥800 |
| Yodogawa to Magome | ¥770 |
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
- Enter through the middle door and take one numbered ticket from the machine near the entrance.
- Check the fare display at the front of the bus. Find the amount shown under the number on your ticket.
- Press a stop button after your stop is announced. Magome is the final stop.
- 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
| Leave Magome | Arrive Yodogawa | Arrive Nakatsugawa Station |
|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 07:23 | 07:25 |
| 07:25 | 07:48 | 07:50 |
| 08:15 | 08:38 | 08:40 |
| 09:45 | 10:08 | 10:10 |
| 10:30 | 10:53 | 10:55 |
| 11:20 | 11:43 | 11:45 |
| 11:50 | 12:13 | 12:15 |
| 12:50 | 13:13 | 13:15 |
| 13:50 | 14:13 | 14:15 |
| 14:50 | 15:13 | 15:15 |
| 15:50 | 16:13 | 16:15 |
| 16:50 | 17:13 | 17:15 |
| 17:50 | 18:13 | 18:15 |
| 18:15 | 18:38 | 18:40 |
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
| Leave Magome | Arrive Yodogawa | Arrive Nakatsugawa Station |
|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 07:23 | 07:25 |
| 08:45 | 09:08 | 09:10 |
| 09:45 | 10:08 | 10:10 |
| 10:30 | 10:53 | 10:55 |
| 11:20 | 11:43 | 11:45 |
| 11:50 | 12:13 | 12:15 |
| 12:50 | 13:13 | 13:15 |
| 13:50 | 14:13 | 14:15 |
| 14:50 | 15:13 | 15:15 |
| 15:50 | 16:13 | 16:15 |
| 16:50 | 17:13 | 17:15 |
| 18:15 | 18:38 | 18:40 |
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.
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
