Unno-juku

Unno-juku is a preserved post station along the old Nakasendo highway in Nagano Prefecture, stretching through a single main street lined with wooden buildings. The facades display dark timbers and wide overhangs, forming a continuous row that evokes the appearance of a roadside stop from centuries past.

The settlement was established in the 17th century as a resting point for travelers moving between Kyoto and Edo, serving as an official relay for horses and messengers. Over time, it grew into an important supply point along the mountain passage.

The preserved streetscape shows how merchants and innkeepers arranged their buildings to serve travelers, with wide eaves extending over the road for shelter. Several structures still function as family businesses, offering handmade goods and local food that reflect centuries of roadside hospitality.

Visitors can walk the length of the street in a leisurely hour, as most buildings stand within a compact area along the old highway. Comfortable shoes help, since the ground slopes gently and some sections retain uneven paving.

Several buildings retain their original firebreak walls made of rammed earth, built between the wooden structures. These thick partitions were designed to stop flames from spreading along the densely packed street.