Key facts
- Nakatsugawa, in Gifu prefecture, is developing tourism infrastructure.
- The city is set to host a station on Japan's maglev train line.
- The Nakasendo highway, or 'Samurai Road,' is a 534-kilometer route connecting Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto.
- The 7.7-kilometer stretch between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku is the most preserved section of the Nakasendo.
- Nakatsugawa-juku was the 45th of 69 post stations on the Nakasendo highway.
- The city has preserved traditional wooden buildings from the Edo period.
Nakatsugawa, a city in Japan's Gifu prefecture, is enhancing its tourism appeal by developing new accommodations and eateries, with a particular focus on the historic Nakasendo highway, also known as the 'Samurai Road.' The city anticipates increased visitor interest as it is slated to host a station on the country's under-construction ultrafast maglev train line.
The Nakasendo, meaning "Central Mountain Route," was one of five major highways during Japan's Edo period (1603-1867), spanning 534 kilometers and connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto through central Honshu's mountains. The 7.7-kilometer stretch between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku is considered the most beautifully preserved section, featuring an original cobblestone path shaded by trees, passing rice terraces and old post-town inns.
Nakatsugawa-juku itself was the 45th of 69 post stations on the Nakasendo. While many traces of the old highway have been lost, parts of the original road remain in this historic district, lined with traditional wooden buildings housing sake shops, confectionery stores, and restaurants. The city also boasts the Nakasendo Historical Museum, displaying artifacts related to the highway's history, and the Kashimo Meijiza Theater, which hosts local ji-kabuki performances. The Samurai Road Project aims to preserve this trail, emphasizing its historical significance as a route used by ordinary people, not just samurai or royalty.