中津川・落合 Nakatsugawa / Ochiai
Area Overview
Nakatsugawa
Nakatsugawa is nationally famous for its kurikinton (chestnut dumplings) made from high-quality Ena chestnuts. Due to increasing demand, recently, chestnuts produced in Kyushu are being used more and more. However, some Japanese confectionery stores are contracting with chestnut farmers to grow Ena chestnuts on their own, using locally grown chestnuts and traditional production methods.
Nakatsugawa-juku was located halfway between Edo and Kyoto.
Ochiai
Ochiaijuku was the 44th inn on the Nakasendo route starting from Nihonbashi. The length of this inn was about 400 m, and the width of the road was 4 to 5 m. The main inn was located in the center of the inn, and the side inns were located across the road. The inn was destroyed by two large fires in 1804 and 1815, and most of the buildings were burnt down.
From 1988 to 1995, the stone pavement was restored. Three of the stone pavements are still in existence.
Area Movie
Area Map
Shop Information
| Genre | Shop Name | Comment | Photo | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shop (Souvenir, Book) | Nigiwai Tokusankan にぎわい特産館 | Nigiwai Tokusanten, next to the Nakatsugawa station, provides local specialties, fruits, and information about Nakatsugawa. | ■ | |
| Shop (Japanese confectionery) | Kawakamiya 御菓子所 川上屋 | Kawakamiya’s history started in 1864. The traditional Japanese confectionery made with care has inherited the thoughtfulness of our predecessors. | ■ | |
| Nigiwai Tokusankan にぎわい特産館 | Nigiwai Tokusanten, next to the Nakatsugawa station, provides local specialties, fruits, and information about Nakatsugawa. | ■ | ||
| Syogetsudo 御栗菓子 松月堂 | Center of the Nakatsugawa city. Traditional Japanese sweets shop. |  | ||
| Umezono 梅園 | Umezono, located near Nakatsugawa station, provides Japanese sweets using a lot of fresh chestnuts. |  | ■ | |
| Café, Tea House | Alternative Space Waon Alternative Space 和音 | Only place to have a break in Ochiai post town. Wooden stove welcomes you, and locally grown vegetables are used for daily lunch special. |  | ■ |
| Cafe Echizenya Cafe 越前屋 | The recommendation is the “Sanmon Mochi”, which was recreated based on an old document from the Edo period. It will soothe the fatigue of your journey. |  | ■ | |
| Liquor Shop, Supermarket | Hazama Sake Brewery はざま酒造 | Hazama Sake Brewery is a long-established sake brewery that uses underground water from Mt. Ena for preparation. Sake produced in this brewery has good textures, a refreshing taste, and the sweetness of rice. |  | ■ |
| Naiki Syouten ないき商店 | Only a 10-minute walk from Nakatsugawa station, here is the only place to make your original Bento Box. |  | ||
| Nakasendo Ohga 中山道 大鋸 | The products are shochu(distilled “sake”) and amazake(rice-mde sweet drink, non-alcohol) made with ingredients from the Nakatsugawa region. |  | ■ | |
| Accommodation (Hotel) | Oyado Onn Nakatsugawa お宿Onn 中津川 | You would feel in a forest due to used of lumber. Must try to take a public bath and warm breakfast. |  | |
| Plaza Hotel Nakatsugawa Sakae プラザホテル中津川 栄 | A simple business hotel. It is convenient and 4 min. walk from Nakatsugawa station. |  | ||
| Tabist Silk Hotel Tabist シルクホテル | The most convenient hotel in Nakatsugawa city. |  | ||
| The RYOKAN O ザ・リョカン・オー | Ryokan O is located near Nakatsukagawa station and a very modern hotel. There is a bar at reception and staff can speak English fluently. |  |