Magome has more bus connections to the nearest station (Nakatsugawa) than Tsumago (to Nagiso Station), but it is possible to walk from Tsumago to Nagiso Station in about an hour, while walking from Magome to Nakatsugawa is less feasible. Alternatively, it is possible to walk from Magome to the nearby expressway bus station in about 15 minutes, from where there seem to exist some direct bus connections to Nagoya.

You are not likely to stay in such a place (I had it booked for me by a Japanese native I was traveling with, and I think that any place you can book in English is likely to have better hospitality standards), but the moral of the story is if you want a nighttime activity in Magome/Tsumago, you should bring a book.

I be aware that just because you can book in english doesn't mean that the minshuku personnel can speak english. It would be best to ask specifically about this if it is a concern to you.

I believe that in general, places that accept bookings in English are willing to accommodate foreigners, even if there is no English-speaking staff, and likely would try to inform guests if there were a curfew. Or at least not yell at them if they knocked on the door a few minutes after lockup. So readers of this forum shouldn't be worried about booking a room in a minshuku in Magome or Tsumago. They are not likely to have an unpleasant experience. (Although, I was more amused than anything else.)

Thats a good point about them more willing to accept foreigners. And on second though, knowing more about your story makes the innkeeper sound rather rude regardless of whether or not they told you of the lockout time.