Magome isn't just another pretty historical town - it turned out to be one of our favorite spots in all of Japan. It's the perfect jumping-off point for the Tsumago postal route walk, and those preserved wooden buildings and stone paths feel less like a tourist attraction and more like a time machine back to old Japan.

Pro tip: don't forget to ring those bear bells along the trail! You want the local bears to hear you coming. The sound of those bells ringing through the valley adds this perfect soundtrack to your journey.

The town itself is stunning - all steep stone paths and traditional buildings climbing up the hillside. But what makes it really special is knowing you're about to set off on the same route that travelers have been using for centuries between Tokyo and Kyoto. Standing at the start of the trail in Magome, you can feel the history of all those ancient travelers who passed through here.