Separating the prefectures of Gunma and Nagano and indirectly uniting the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, the Usui Pass is one of the Kanto region’s most vital transport links.

Surrounded by deep mountain ranges, this former checkpoint stood on the front line of Edo’s defenses, strictly monitoring the movement of travelers.

Along the Nakasendō on the road to Edo, an exclusive rest facility for high-ranking travelers where feudal lords and court nobles once paused, its atmosphere of dignity quietly preserved today.

Set in a tranquil area distinct from central Karuizawa, this former post town preserves the history of the Nakasendō and Hokkoku Kaidō junction in a calm, understated atmosphere.

Deep in the mountains along the Hokkoku Kaidō, a reconstructed checkpoint museum where Edo-period travel and authority come vividly to life.

In the heart of Joetsu, a spacious castle park where the memory of history lingers and the changing seasons invite quiet reflection.