Walking the Nakasendo: A Road to the Past

Nakasendo is one of the five highways constructed in Japan during the Edo Period (1603 – 1868). Connecting Edo (old Tokyo) and Kyoto, it has 69 post towns along its way. The post towns of Magome and Tsumago are situated about midway along the old road. Magome is known for its beautiful cobbled slopes. Tsumago showcases a stunning, traditional townscape-thanks to the conservation efforts started in the early 1970s-with many buildings from the Edo Period. Electric poles have been buried and advertising signboards banished. Ananda Jacobs walks along the Nakasendo Way from Magome to Tsumago. She enjoys the traditional landscape and discovers how closely local people live with nature.