It's not hard to find some terrific deals out there for exploring Central Japan on a budget. One such bargain I took advantage of recently was the Shoryudo Bus Pass "Matsumoto - Magome - Komagane Course," which is a combo of hop-on, hop-off bus tickets that's good for three days, and even includes travel by rail or bus to and from several different airports, including Chubu Centrair International Airport.

You order the package on line, then print out your voucher, which you can redeem for tickets at a number of locations. I used the Meitetsu Tourist Information Center at Centrair, located in the main lobby, just to the right of the train-station turnstiles.

Along with my train tickets and an unlimited three-day bus pass, I also received a guidebook with bus timetables and a bunch of discount coupons.

Then I boarded the train to Meitetsu Nagoya Station. On arriving, I took the elevator to Meitetsu Bus Center on the third floor, where I used my pass to reserve a seat on the next bus to Magome, an old post town.

The bus let me off at Misaka, a roadway service area just off the expressway.

Right next to the bus stop was a set of stairs – the start of 15-minute stroll through well-marked rural terrain to Magome proper.

During Japan's feudal Edo period (1603-1868), Magome thrived as a way station for travelers journeying along the ancient Nakasendo highway that connected Kyoto and Edo (today's Tokyo). The town is located on a series of hilly streets, and even today retains some of the ambience and charm of its heyday.

Near the lower entrance to the town there was a working waterwheel. I thought it might be purely decorative, but stepping inside its structure revealed that it's actually generating electrical power.

Close by the waterwheel was a friendly-looking little cafe that accepted some of the Shoryudo Bus Pass discount coupons I'd received. I put one toward a cup of coffee and a cookie.

The next post town along the Nakasendo highway is a place called Tsumago that's just under ten kilometers (six or so miles) away. Some adventurous travelers elect to hike there from Magome.

There are even services that will transport your luggage there while you hike unburdened.

You can get more information about this and other things to see and do at the Tourist Information Center in Magome.

Presently I was ready for lunch, so I found a place that serves soba – a specialty of the region.

Then I continued exploring the town, also enjoying the views of the surrounding countryside.

One of the small shops I encountered was selling gohei-mochi – another local specialty, of grilled skewers of pounded rice with a flavorful soy-based sauce with a hint of walnut.

Fully fortified again, I headed back to the bus stop for the next leg of my travels, which would eventually take me to my lodging for the night.

My immediate destination was Komagane Interchange, reached from the Magome bus stop by another highway bus.

When the bus let me off, I looked around for a gas station. The stop for the next bus I needed to take was located next to it.

Walking to the bus stop was a simple matter of following the road into an underground intersection passageway, then turning left into and out of another passageway.

The bus stop, named Nyotai-iriguchi, was right at the top of the steps.

From there I caught a regular route bus bound for the Komagatake Ropeway aerial tramway's Shirabidaira Station. When you board the bus, you need to take a numbered ticket from the machine at the door.

When you reach your destination, check for your ticket number on the display panel above the driver. This shows you the fare you need to pay. Just drop the money and your ticket in the fare box.

When you reach your destination, check for your ticket number on the display panel above the driver. This shows you the fare you need to pay. Just drop the money and your ticket in the fare box.

The tram from Shirabidaira Station took me to my final destination of the day – a mountaintop geological formation known as Senjojiki Cirque, the site of the Senjojiki Hotel, my abode for evening.

I'll tell you all about the place in my next post!