Note: Weeping Cherry Blossoms at “Tateba Tea House” more two weeks later.
The weeping cherry trees at the famous cherry blossom viewing spot “Tateba Tea House” in Magome Pass seem to bloom much later than someiyoshino cherry trees in Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku.
A rough estimate is about four weeks after Tokyo.
↓Tateba Tea House↓
Cherry blossoms in Narai-juku bloom about 4 weeks after Tokyo
In Naraijuku, where I live, the cherry blossoms were at their best around April 22 in 2022.
This is about 4 weeks later than Tokyo. It seems to coincide with the weeping cherry blossoms at the Ichiishi Tochitate Tea House.
Even though they are on the same Kiso Road, there is a difference in altitude of about 500m between Magome/Tsumago and Narai, so the climate is quite different.
↓Map of Nakasendo elevation↓
Magomejuku in full bloom in spring
I have to preface this report by saying that this is my trip report.
First, we started our stroll at Magomejuku.
We arrived around noon, and we were hungry. We decided to stroll around while eating
Gohei-mochi of Magomejuku is dango shaped & walnut miso
Gohei-mochi (rice cakes) are an indispensable part of the Kisoji area! Even in the same Kisoji area, the shape and taste differ from place to place,
The Magomejuku tradition is to serve rice cakes in the shape of dumplings with a walnut-based miso sauce.
Every restaurant had this style, and I felt a strong culture.
The fluffy dough and the slightly salty red bean paste were a perfect match.
I have lived in Narai for 30 years, but I am not familiar with oyaki.
I was curious, so I looked it up and found that it is a local dish from the northern region of Nagano that gradually spread throughout the country.
Oyaki
It originated in the Kitashin and Azumino regions of Nagano Prefecture, which are cold regions, and was passed down from household to household as a substitute for rice in the winter.域の名物として広まった。
Nakatsugawa City in Gifu Prefecture, where Magomejuku is located, is famous for chestnuts.
Kurikinton,” a sweet dumpling made with chestnuts, is well worth a try.
While kinton made of sweet potato is famous throughout Japan, chestnut kinton is the most popular type of kinton in Magomejuku.
Magomejuku was originally located in Nagano Prefecture.
During the Heisei Era merger, the former Yamaguchi Village merged with Nakatsugawa City in Gifu Prefecture, creating “Magome-juku in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture”.
The waterfalls at Magome Pass healed me.
男滝女滝
Having fully enjoyed Magomejuku, we headed for Tsumagojuku.
The 801-meter-high Magome Pass, which separates Magome-juku from Tsumagojuku, is also full of attractions.
The pass, which retains the appearance of the old Nakasendo Highway, is still popular among many people today as a trekking course.
One of the attractions of Magome Pass is the O-fall and Me-fall waterfalls.
The powerful sound of a waterfall whose volume has increased with the melting snow. The spray of water glistening in the warm light.
Here, too, I sensed the coming of spring.
There are many cherry trees in Tsumago!
Descending northward from Magome Pass, you will arrive at Tsumago Yadojuku.
Tsumago Juku has an abundance of cherry blossom trees in the inn. Narai Juku has only one cherry tree, which is enviable.
Gohei-mochi in Tsumagojyuku is flat & walnut miso
sumago Inn. Gohei-mochi in Tsumago is flat and slightly different from those in Magome.
↓We ate a cheese gohei-mochi (rice cake with cheese)↓
The base is walnut and miso, much like Magome.
By the way, Gohei-mochi in Narai is circular like this.
By the way, Gohei-mochi in Narai is circular like this.
Walnut, sesame, and blister miso, and many other varieties.
The taste is quite sweet.
Not much miso is used.
Are these features of the area? It is quite different from Magome and Tsumago, which is surprising.
Parking in Tsumagojyuku is a flat rate of 500 yen per day everywhere.
Tsumago Yado has parking lots 1 through 3, all of which charge the same fee of 500 yen per day.
The proceeds from the parking lots are used to preserve the townscape. Tsumago is a wonderful town with a solid townscape preservation system.
The revenue from the parking lot at the Naraijuku has been sitting there for years because no one has been able to do anything with it. 。。。。
We need to take a lesson from Tsumago and create a solid system. 。。。。
If you stay at Tsumago Yado, I recommend Tsutamuraya.
I recommend Tsutamuraya for lodging in Tsumago Yado.
The owner of Tsutamuraya is a friend of my mother’s and they consult with each other about the management of the inn.
Although he is one year older than me (30 years old), he took over the restaurant from his parents and runs the inn with them.
For dinner, they serve iwana (char), which they carefully raise in their fish pond, grilled with salt. It sounds delicious just by listening to the story.
I have never visited there, but my friend “Tamayuri,” a walking travel junkie, has introduced it in detail.
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