Narai-juku

Very cute little village with ancient buildings and beautiful shrines. Friendly people everywhere. Please visit the cafe run by two elderly women, they are just too cute and make amazing cakes!

Pretty little town on the famous Kiso Road. Following in the footsteps of Samurai (!), we walked the main street and visited the museum.
There are plenty of souvenir shops, all if which were reasonable. We had a long chat with one of the store owners (in English) - she was genuinely friendly and welcoming.
Worth the trip

Narai-Juku, nestled within the picturesque Kiso Valley in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, stands as a time-honored gem embodying the essence of the Edo period’s post town culture. As one of the most well-preserved and charming examples of its kind, Narai-Juku beckons travelers to step back in time and immerse themselves in the rich history and traditions of old Japan.

Established along the Nakasendo, one of the five major highways connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto during the Edo period, Narai-Juku flourished as a vital rest stop and trading hub for weary travelers and merchants journeying between the imperial capital and the seat of the shogunate. Its strategic location amidst lush mountains and pristine rivers made it a pivotal point along the route, offering respite, refreshment, and commerce to those traversing the rugged terrain.

Today, Narai-Juku stands as a beautifully preserved testament to its storied past, with its well-preserved traditional buildings, cobblestone streets, and tranquil atmosphere transporting visitors to a bygone era. Strolling through its charming thoroughfare, lined with quaint wooden inns, merchant houses, and historic landmarks, one can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time.

Whether exploring its cultural heritage at the local museum, sampling regional delicacies at traditional eateries, or simply soaking in the serene ambiance of this historic enclave, Narai-Juku offers a captivating journey into Japan’s rich historical tapestry, inviting travelers to experience the timeless beauty of its post town charm.

Amazing street with friendly people. Going at the end of January, not much was open, but it also there was nearly nobody there, making great pictures. The restaurants/shops that were open, were amazing and accommodating of us!

Although Magome and Tsumago is great , imo , this has the better vibe and flat road all the way , great for families and older people . Please also visit the Kiso bridge . Park near the Narai station ( free) .

Lovely old town post Shogun era. Too bad a lot of the shops were closed due to public holiday. I would recommend to go early as parking can be limited. Parking fee costs 500 yen.

I always have a soft spot for quaint Japanese post town like Takayama and Narai-juku. No regret taking a 2-hr drive here one way from Kawaguchiko. Very little foreign tourists and the vibe is simply charming. There are souvenir shops, cafes and local restaurants. They may looked like they are closed but they are open for business. It’s a 1km+ long street lined with shops on both sides. Be prepared to spend at least 2-3hrs especially if taking a break for snack, coffee or meal.

What a charming place! It's my favorite among the postal towns. I visited in mid-August during their Shrine's annual festival, and surprisingly, it wasn't as crowded as I expected. It felt like a journey back in time, and I absolutely enjoyed the local atmosphere. I strongly recommend checking out the Former Nakamura Family Residence to get a peek inside their traditional homes.

It is a peaceful place. We arrived there early so it is not so crowded. And some stores are still close. It’s already chilly there so better to cover upto gloves.

Great historical town would recommend a visit
The surrounding mountains during autumn put on a spectacular show of colour with the changing leaves providing a perfect backdrop for the architecture of the town.

Beautiful to visit an historical area. Lots of shops and great restaurants.

Enjoyable 2.5 hour trek from Yabuhara town to Narai town. And late lunch at a soba restaurant. Wonderful day in spring.

Great place to avoid the crowds, it has soms magic because it's still preserved as it was many years ago with the wooden structures.

Finally did a day trip to Naraijuku because most of the lodging places are booked so I booked Matsumoto for return lodging but leave from Nagano station to Shiojiri then about an hour bus ride ( 100yen) to Naraijuku station . Walking at Naraijuku preserved houses, restaurants , shops and cafe was like travel to a Time Machine and took me back to the Japanese Edo period . It was fantastic for some like me who is crazy about photography . I spend few hours visiting most of the shops and chi chat with shop owners , the story I got from the old ladies and man are really precious. I only ends the trip at the shrine so I will be back to continue my part II .

Merchants and samurais used to pass through Narai, and similar other post towns when they are travelling back and fro from Kyoto to Tokyo (Edo). This is a scenic town at the foot of a hill (at the end of Narai town, where one can take a shower hike up to see the entire rows of houses flanking a single road. The shrine in the middle of the town is an interesting visit too with a large tree.

In Summer, it is best to visit in the morning or afternoon (after 2pm) as the sun direction will create shade on either side of the path so it's a more pleasant walk.

Parking is convenient at the roadside station and the town is connected by a scenic rail that cuts through the valley to Narai village.

Lovely and very well preserved old town. Even more beautiful as it was snowing when we were there. it was a quiet Monday morning when we arrived. Even the parking was free (we parked next to the steam train)

Enjoy the stroll along the way, with restaurants and shops.

Although it was a short trip due to a tight schedule, a visit to Narai of a Thousand Houses was truly fascinating and unforgettable. Highly recommended to stay for a night here of possible.

Lovely well preserved Edo period town in the middle of the mountains. Well worth the day trip if you get the chance. We visited on a weekday in April and there were very few tourists around, it was almost as if we had the whole place to ourselves. The town folk are very lovely and there are loads of giftshops where you can buy locally crafted souvenirs.

if you’re visiting Japan and have a Rail Pass you can make the trip via the Shinano train + Chuō line with no extra charge.

Lovely small town in the valley. We arrived a bit early before noon, so we could not have chance to see many shops open.

There are many cherry blossom trees along the train track and canal.