We will introduce two walking routes that take you around Oiwakejuku and the old Nakasendo Road, which still retains the atmosphere of an inn town.
Shinano Oiwake Walking Route
Old Nakasendo Treading Route
- Visit historical sites and the footprints of literary figures in the old highway’s inn towns.
Karuizawa’s old, tranquil atmosphere is evident once you reach Shinano Oiwake. The branch of the Nakasendo Highway and the Kitaguni Highway is also close by, and remains that remind us of the old days can be seen everywhere. Oiwake was also a favorite place for literary figures, among them Tatsuo Hori, who lived there and wrote many masterpieces. Let’s take a tour around Oiwakejuku, visiting its history and literature.
- Advice: The area is beautiful in each season, but the fresh green of spring, early summer, autumn of autumn leaves, and early winter when the trees are dry are especially enjoyable. If you are short on walking, we also recommend walking along the old Nakasendo road as far as Miyota, referring to the ⑰ Old Nakasendo Treading Course. For more details, click the image below to view the PDF file.
- A full and long course that traverses the town of Karuizawa, following the old highway.
The Nakasendo, one of the five highways of the Edo period, connected the east and west along with the Tokaido Highway. The roads and historical sites of the old highway are still relatively well preserved in Karuizawa Town. Let’s start from the old Usui Pass, the border between Annaka City and Karuizawa Town in Gunma Prefecture, and walk westward to Miyota Town.
- It is also useful to combine a part of the route with other trails. For more information on access to the old Usui Pass, please refer to (4) “Old Usui Pass Trail”. There is also a trail from Yokogawa in Gunma Prefecture to the former Usui Pass, but it takes about 3 hours and fewer people walk there than the scenic trail, so you should do your research and prepare carefully before you go. For more information, please click the image below to view the PDF file.
