Tsumagojuku

Tsumagojuku, in southern Nagano, was a station on the Nakasendo route that connected Kyoto and Edo (present day Tokyo) during the Edo period (1603 – 1867). This station town is considered one of the best preserved and the most beautiful in Japan, and the area is designated as an Important Traditional Building Preservation District.
There are around 10 accommodation sites in the town. At the accommodations, you can enjoy meals that are cooked traditionally on a hearth.
At sunset, the buildings begin to turn on their lanterns and lamps. The sight of the dimly lit street is something that you can only experience here. Buildings such as the Kumagai Family Residence and the Tsumago Honjin are especially worth seeing.
The Wakihonjin-okuya building is a National Important Cultural Property, and is made from hinoki (Japanese cypress). You can tour inside the building, where replicas of Edo-style household goods are displayed. At the historical museum next door, you can learn about the history of the town and about the Nakasendo route.