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Dear visitor, if you know the answer to this question, please post it. Thank you! Advice on Kiso Valley - Tsumago & Magome 2009/8/19 Kiso Valley We will be visiting Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen next February to do some skiing and then returning to Tokyo.(our first time to Japan) We were wondering whether it would be possible to return to Tokyo with an overnight stay in Tsumago/Magome and not be to rushed. Is it a good time of year (February) to do the Tsumago / Magome walk? Would it be feasible to leave Shiga Kogen travel to Magome by Trains, Buses then stay overnight in a Ryokan then walk to Tsumago the next day and then travel onto Tokyo accommodation the next day or would it all be too rushed and Train Bus inter connections too tight? Any advice or tips would be very much appreciated. R&M by Rob & Mel (guest)   Part answer 2009/8/19 Rob and Mel, I can answer two parts of your questions. We walked the trail from Tsumago to Magome last year on February 2nd. There was a lot of snow on the ground but we did it comfortably in regular walking shoes and warm clothes. I would suggest that the weather must be on your side at this time of year. If it were to snow heavily I think it would be less than enjoyable if not difficult. I will add that we did not sight another person on the walk except at those places where the path intersected with a sealed road. It would be easy to do the walk in the morning and still get to Tokyo in the evening. The train back to Nagoya is only about an hour from Nagiso ( the Tsumago end ) or less from the Magome end. Nagoya to Tokyo by shinkansen being only about 2 hours. by RodW (guest) rate this post as useful Thanks 2009/8/19 Rod W, Thanks for the info. We were wondering about Snow? We will be there mid February so hopefully less of a risk of heavy snow? Any advice on route Magome to Tsumago or vice versa? Any recommendations on a Ryokan in a convenient spot? Also I picked up from the websites that the Luggage Shuttle service out of the Visitor Information centres doesnt run during February? Is that right. If so any other suggestions. Any other tips much appreciated. Thanks again! by Rob & Mel (guest) rate this post as useful . 2009/8/20 We were tipped off that if you depart from the Magome end there's a lot less climbing, more downhill cruising. We stayed at Magome-chaya and can recommend it. by Connie Chiwa (guest) rate this post as useful . 2009/8/20 Anyone contemplating visiting the area MUST look at http://paulstravelpics.blogspot.com/search/label/West%2... -incredibly inspiring! by Connie Chiwa (guest) rate this post as useful Tsumago & Magome 2009/8/20 My wife and I stayed at the Kiso Valley Hotel which is closer to Tsumago back in 2005. Great hotel and onsen, but not a ryokan. We took a taxi to Magome first then walked back to Tsumago which is definitely the easier way to go as the first leg is a short uphill climb, and the downhill to Tsumago fairly long. I would also suggest staying 2 nights as we found 1 night was too short (it is doable though). by kempeitai rate this post as useful Thanks everyone. Great Info! 2009/8/20 Thanks everyone for the great info. The link to Pauls photos and information on the Tsumago and Magome is gold! Only outstanding issue for us is it appears no Luggage transfer service during February when we are visiting. Is that correct? If anyone has any solution to this one we would love to hear. Failing that I suppose we just stay in one of the villages, leave our luggage there, catch a taxi to the other village and walk back. Any info on likely cost of Taxi or bus would be also much appreciated. Again thanks everyone. Were really looking forward to it now! R&M by Rob & Mel (guest) rate this post as useful ... 2009/8/21 Only outstanding issue for us is it appears no Luggage transfer service during February when we are visiting. Is that correct? Yes, that is correct. You could use a takuhaibin delivery service for your large luggage and bring only a small bad into the Kiso Valley: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html by Uji rate this post as useful