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.
1. Shinano Oiwake Walking Route Visit historical sites and the footprints of literary figures in the old highway’s inn towns.
2. Old Nakasendo Treading Route A full and long course that traverses the town of Karuizawa, following the old highway.
- 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 of Oiwake-juku, visiting its history and literature.
- Advice》There is a taste for each of the four seasons, but the fresh green of spring, early summer, autumn of autumn leaves, and the dry grove of early winter are especially tasteful. If you are short on walking, we also recommend walking along the old Nakasendo road to Miyota area, referring to the ⑰Old Nakasendo Road 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 walk westward from the old Usui Pass, the border between Annaka City and Karuizawa Town in Gunma Prefecture, to Miyota Town.
- Advice: It is also useful to combine a part of the course with other trails. For more information on access to the old Usui Pass, please refer to (4) “Old Usui Pass Scenic Trail Course. There is also a path 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 start walking. For more information, please click the image below to view the PDF file.
