Nagakubo-shuku was the 27th post station counted from Edo along the Nakasendo, one of Japan’s major historic highways connecting Edo, present-day Tokyo, with Kyoto. It is located in Nagakubo, Nagawa Town, in Nagano Prefecture. The town was formerly written as “Nagakubo-shuku” using a different kanji character for “kubo.”
Nagakubo-shuku developed as an important transportation and logistics hub between two challenging mountain passes, Wada Pass and Kasatori Pass. Travelers could prepare for the steep mountain roads here, while horses and porters were changed at the post station. Its strategic location made it an essential stopping point for people and goods traveling along the Nakasendo.
The famous Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige depicted Nagakubo in his celebrated series The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Kaido. The print captures travelers moving through the post town and conveys the lively atmosphere of the period, providing a valuable visual record of Nagakubo’s appearance during the Edo era.
Nagakubo-shuku has an unusual town layout in which the street extends from a side lane and bends at an angle, creating a distinctive key-shaped configuration. The layout is thought to have developed naturally in response to the terrain and the flow of traffic as the settlement grew along the highway.
This unusual town plan remains visible today and contributes greatly to the historic character of Nagakubo-shuku. Walking through the streets offers visitors a sense of the atmosphere experienced by travelers who passed through the area centuries ago.
The original place name was Nagakubo, derived from the historic Nagakubo district. However, the character used for “kubo” was associated with the idea of a depression or something sinking, giving it an unfavorable meaning.
Local residents therefore hoped to replace it with a character suggesting something that would “last for a long time”. In 1859, during the Edo period, a petition requesting the change was submitted to the local magistrate’s office. The request was not officially approved at the time, and government documents continued to use the former name. The present spelling, “Nagakubo,” was formally recognized after the beginning of the Meiji era.
According to the Nakasendo Shuku-son Taigaicho, a detailed survey compiled in 1843, Nagakubo-shuku had 187 houses, including one honjin for feudal lords and other distinguished travelers, one waki-honjin, and 43 lodging houses known as hatago.
The population within the post town was recorded as 721 people. These figures demonstrate that Nagakubo was a relatively large and prosperous post town on the Nakasendo.
Japan experienced major economic changes during the transition from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. In particular, from 1869 to 1870, the country faced a serious shortage of small-denomination currency.
The opening of ports at Kanagawa, Nagasaki, and Hakodate increased foreign trade and boosted demand for silver and copper coins. Counterfeit currency was also circulating, while supplies of government-issued Daijokan Notes were insufficient. Post towns and merchants consequently had to find ways to maintain local commerce despite the shortage of usable money.
In response to the economic turmoil, various forms of local currency known as Shinano Nationally Circulating Copper Notes and post-town notes were issued in the Shinano region. Such notes were particularly common at post stations along the Nakasendo.
Nagakubo-shuku issued a local currency known as Shukugen Tsuuka, which circulated until October 1869. Four denominations were issued: 624-bun, 100-bun, 48-bun, and 24-bun. These notes were used to exchange goods and services and represented a local effort to maintain economic stability during a period of severe monetary disruption.
Today, Nagakubo-shuku retains much of the character of its former post-town days. Historic features include stone-paved sections of the old highway, traditional townhouses, and the former sites of the honjin and waki-honjin.
Information boards and local museums also help visitors learn about everyday life and travel during the Edo period. Exploring the area on foot is an enjoyable way to appreciate both the physical landscape of the old Nakasendo and the stories of the people who once traveled along it.
Nagawa Town and local tourism organizations actively promote the history and attractions of Nagakubo-shuku. Events such as post-town festivals, history lectures, and walking tours introduce visitors to the area’s cultural heritage.
The surrounding area is also rich in nature, with walking trails and scenic viewpoints. This makes Nagakubo-shuku a rewarding destination for travelers who want to combine historic exploration with the natural beauty of the Shinshu mountains.
Nagakubo-shuku can be conveniently accessed from Ueda Station or Oya Station, served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Shinano Railway. Local buses operate from the stations via the Maruko Central Hospital bus stop, with services connecting to Nagakubo.
Ashida-shuku, the 26th post station, lies to the east of Nagakubo-shuku. To the west is Wada-shuku, the 28th post station, located beyond the challenging Wada Pass. This section of the Nakasendo involves a relatively long distance and significant changes in elevation.
Walking between these historic post towns allows travelers to experience the continuity of the old Nakasendo route and gain a deeper appreciation of the history that connects the settlements.
Nagakubo-shuku is one of the historic post towns that best represents the character of the Nakasendo. Its location between the demanding Wada Pass and Kasatori Pass helped it flourish as an important center for travelers, horses, goods, and local commerce.
Thanks to the efforts of local residents, much of the historic townscape and traditional culture has been carefully preserved. As you walk along the old streets and stone paving, it is easy to imagine the travelers who once stopped here before continuing their journeys through the mountains of Shinano.
For visitors exploring the Nakasendo, Nagakubo-shuku offers a quieter and deeply atmospheric glimpse into Japan’s historic highway culture. Take your time to explore the old streets, appreciate the surrounding landscape, and imagine the journeys of travelers from centuries past. The combination of history, traditional townscape, and local warmth makes Nagakubo-shuku a memorable stop in the Shinshu region.