GUNMA

Usui Checkpoint Ruins

Usui Checkpoint Ruins: The Old Gateway to Edo

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

Culture & Arts Nature & Views

Access

Usui Pass is a steep mountain pass long regarded as one of the three most difficult sections of the Nakasendō, serving as a vital transportation corridor linking Shinano Province (present-day Nagano Prefecture) and Kōzuke Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture). From Sakamoto-juku in what is now Annaka City, the road climbs roughly eight kilometers from an elevation of about 450 meters to the pass, which sits at approximately 1,200 meters above sea level, making the ascent a formidable challenge for Edo-period travelers. Usui Pass borders Karuizawa Town and functioned as a key gateway to Edo. Thus, the Tokugawa shogunate established the Usui Checkpoint to strictly control movement along the highway. Surveillance extended from the checkpoint ruins at Yokokawa, over the pass, and as far as the area around Kumano Shrine, reflecting the strategic importance of the route. In March 2025, the “Usui Pass Crossing on the Nakasendō” together with the Usui Checkpoint were officially designated as National Historic Sites, becoming the first additions within the Kantō region to the “Nakasendō” Historic Site. Today, visitors can walk through the restored checkpoint gate, explore the preserved streetscape of Sakamoto-juku, and experience firsthand both the harsh terrain that once tested travelers and the rich seasonal landscapes that define Usui Pass.

Access Information

573-2 Yokokawa, Matsuida-machi, Annaka City, Gunma Prefecture

Phone number

+81-27-382-7622 (available on weekdays only)

WEB site

https://www.city.annaka.lg.jp/page/2040.html

Digital Map