Tsumago-juku

Tsumago-juku was the first post town in Japan to be designated for preservation, and its commitment to authenticity is unmatched — no cars, no power lines visible, and no modern facades along the main street. The village looks remarkably as it did during the Edo period, with dark wooden buildings, latticed windows, and traditional inns. It is the sister town to Magome-juku, connected by the famous 8-kilometer Nakasendo hiking trail through the Kiso Valley, and most visitors walk between the two towns. The local history museum (Waki-honjin) is well worth a visit for understanding the post town system. Tsumago is most atmospheric in the early morning or late afternoon when day-trippers have departed, so consider staying overnight at one of the traditional minshuku.