Nakatsugawa-juku, the 45th post town on the Nakasendo Road, once prospered as the area's leading commercial district. Charming old buildings line the streets of this vibrant town. Many of the houses have Udatsu (fireproof decorations on the roofs of Japanese houses), a symbol of wealthy families.


In the center of Nakatsugawa-juku is the Nakasendo Historical Museum, which exhibits valuable documents and archives, such as old documents preserved in an old house in Nakatsugawa-juku. In recent years more and more places are open where you can stop on your way to the museum, such as cafes and shops that use the exteriors of the historical houses.