Meet your guide at Narai Station, which opened in 1909. From here, take a short walk to Narai-juku’s preserved main street. Learn about Narai’s role as the 34th of the 69 post towns on the Nakasendō, and why its location near the route’s midpoint helped it thrive.
Walk south along Narai’s main street, which runs for just over a kilometer and is lined with two-story wooden buildings, deep eaves, and latticed windows. In the Edo period, Narai became known as “Narai of a Thousand Houses,” reflecting the scale of businesses and lodgings serving travelers.
Visit Chosenji Temple, founded in 1366 and rebuilt in 1866 after repeated fires. The main hall houses an extraordinary dragon ceiling painting measuring 20 meters long and 3.5 meters wide. The dragon's eyes follow you across the room, painted with techniques meant to protect Buddhist teachings and those who practice them.
Near the southern end of town, reach Shizume Shrine, positioned at the approach to Torii Pass. Travelers paused at Shizume Shrine either to give thanks for surviving the pass or to pray before attempting it. Learn how geography shaped Narai's importance: the town's position at the base of this formidable barrier guaranteed a steady flow of travelers who needed rest, supplies, and lodging.
Return to Narai Station, where the guided portion concludes. Have time to explore independently, browse the lacquerware shops and cafes that now occupy historic buildings, or simply walk the street again with a sharper understanding of what you're seeing: a community-driven preservation site that still operates as it did 200 years before, not just a museum attraction.
