In Edo period, which lasted about 200 years, the major five road were built. One of them is called Nakasendo that starts at Nihonbashi in Edo or Tokyo today and ends at Kusatsu in Shiga prefecture. The road is about 200 km long. Because of its length and geography that there are many mountains through the road, there were 67 rest place on the road. The rest places had hotels or ryokan back then, restaurants and more. Magomejuku in Gifu prefecture is 43th rest place of Nakasendo. The road was used especially for Sankinkoutai, which was a rule in Edo period. That was for Daimyo throughout Japan not to revolt against Shogun. Shogun held Daimyo’s wife and daughter hostage in Edo so that Daimyo would have to come to see them from their territories to Edo. They require Daimyo do that at least two or three times a year. Of course it cost Daimyo a fortune to go back and forth. But that was also what Shogun aimed. It was all about controlling Daimyo not to revolt.
Back to the story. Magomejuku means Magome rest place. Magome is the name of the place. Magomejuku in on the stone slope and has souvenir shops, ryokan and restaurants on the sides. All the places are old style Japanese architecture. There’s nothing quite like the combination of the stone slope and old style Japanese architecture. You can take a trip to the world of old Japan. Even normal houses there not providing any services today put a sign of their old family name on the door. You can feel that the entire place was a rest place back then. Actually the entire place was completely burned down except for the slope in 1895 and 1915. The place today was rebuilt one. I think it’s good only to see architecture and feel atmosphere, but don’t forget beautiful seasonal flowers and trees there that are part of the entire place. Observing them must be fun too. I love the atmosphere of the whole place.
Rice crackers shop 
Magome post office
At the start point of Magomejuku, there’s a old Japanese house with Suisya outside, which is actually working and creating electricity. All lights inside the house are produced by this. You can go into the inside and see what the old Japanese house was like. Suisya of this house is the symbol of Magomejuku.
Besides the facilities above, there are other services such as a tourist information, free Wi-fi, coin rocker, restroom and baggage-keep service.
Free rest space 
Information of Magomejuku
〒508-0502 4300-1, Magome, Nakatsugawa city, Gifu prefecture, Japan
