Connecting with Locals Along the Nakasendo Trail (Narai-juku to Kiso-Hirasawa)

Meet with locals working to preserve historic townscapes and keep traditional crafts and culture alive.

Nakasendo is a popular tourist spot for Japanese people and foreigners alike who often use it as a walking trail. Narai-juku and Kiso-Hirasawa, which lie along the Nakasendo, along with Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku, are designated as Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. However, Narai-juku and Kiso-Hirasawa differ from Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku in that many residents live their everyday lives there among the special historical scenery and street scenes. Continuing to live within a Cultural Property requires understanding and effort regarding strict restrictions, including in building repairs. As a result, the crafts and culture rooted in the area from olden times are protected by the existing craftspeople who have inherited the practices and those who value their preservation.
Kiso-Hirasawa, blessed by abundant forests, is a manufacturing town that flourished from the production of lacquerware using high-quality wood. It is the only lacquering town in Japan designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings and its townscape is carefully preserved. One traditional craft particular to this region is “magemono,” a type of round wooden container. Kiso hinoki cypress is used to make round lunch boxes, tubs, etc. Lacquer is then applied to the wood to increase its strength.
On this tour, walk along the Nakasendo and meet the residents working to maintain and preserve their traditional townscapes, as well as those involved in maintaining fading traditional crafts and culture for the future.