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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Nakatsugawa
Spend a half‑day in Nakatsugawa to soak at the onsen and see Naegi Castle ruins; add a morning visit to Magome if time allows.
Nakatsugawa is a small city in Gifu Prefecture, reachable by JR Chuo Line. Its main draws are the Nakatsugawa Onsen, historic Naegi Castle ruins and the nearby post‑town Magome. One half‑day covers the core sights; a full day lets you add Magome or a longer hike in the Kiso Mountains.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jun–Jul
- Stay
- 0.5 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Onsen entry (weekday) | ¥700 |
| Onsen entry (weekend) | ¥1,000 |
| Kurikinton (chestnut sweet) | ¥300–¥500 |
| Local noodle bowl | ¥600–¥900 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NGO · Chubu Centrair International
- JR limited express to Nagoya, then about 1 h by train to Nakatsugawa
Typical fares
- JR Chuo line Nakatsugawa ↔ Nagoya
- about ¥2,500 one‑way, 1 h 15 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
JR Chuo Line stops at Nakatsugawa Station; Akechi Railway provides local service eastward. Local buses connect the onsen, castle ruins and Magome. Walkable town centre.
See and do
Known for
- Nakatsugawa Onsen Kur Resort Yubunesawa
- Naegi Castle ruins
- Misaka Pass
- Kurikinton chestnut sweets
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Magome | Bus from Nakatsugawa Station, about 30 min | ≈45 min total |
| Naegi Castle ruins | Drive or local bus east from town, ~15 min | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- Nakatsugawa Station area
- Convenient for train arrivals; several budget inns and guesthouses within 5 min walk.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Road to Misaka Pass on the Nagano side closes to vehicles due to rockfall risk; use the Chūō Expressway detour.
- Onsen opening hours vary on weekends; check current schedule before arrival.
Generally safe; watch for occasional rockfall on Misaka Pass road and keep valuables secure in crowded train stations.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nakatsugawa yet. Suggested stay: 0.5 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Nakatsugawa Onsen Kur Resort Yubunesawa
- Naegi Castle ruins
- Misaka Pass
- Kurikinton chestnut sweets
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Nakatsugawa city official tourism page: www.city.nakatsugawa.lg.jp/kanko/index.html
- Wikivoyage: Nakatsugawa, revision 5010683 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5010683
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/nakatsugawa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.