Narai-juku Post Town
The best-preserved of the 69 Nakasendo highway post towns, its single 1km street flanked by 350-year-old wooden inns, lacquerware shops, and sake breweries that still operate as they did in the Edo period. Known as "Narai of a Thousand Houses" for its former prosperity. Almost entirely overlooked by international visitors.
1.5–3 hours
Free
Town always accessible; shops: typically 9:00–17:00; most closed Tue
April–November
Direct from Matsumoto or Nagoya on JR Chuo Line (Narai Station)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
The 1km preserved street has more surviving original Edo-period buildings than any other Nakasendo post town
- 2
Local lacquerware (Kiso-nuri) has been produced here for 400 years — available from workshops still using traditional techniques
- 3
JR Chuo Line stops directly in town — no tourist infrastructure between the train tracks and history
Local Tips
Narai was the most prosperous post town on the Nakasendo highway — the 1km main street of preserved Edo-era machiya is the longest surviving post town streetscape in Japan. Visit on a weekday when it's almost completely quiet. The lacquerware (kiso nuri) and combs (kiso-gushi) are the local craft specialties. Walk the 8km section to Yabuhara through Torii Pass for an authentic post-road experience.
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