Story
Ichikokutochi is located along the Nakasendo Road, and used to flourish as a resting place for travelers in olden times. A tea house still exists to provide a free resting place for travelers.
Overview
Shiraki-aratame Bansho (checkpoint) was originally placed in Kudaritani of Tsumago-juku to watch the shipment of timber and woodworks, and it was moved to Ichikokutochi near Magometouge Pass. The checkpoint watched the shipment of banned timber including the Five Trees of Kiso (hinoki cypress, sawara cypress, nezuko cypress, asunaro cypress, and Japanese umbrella-pine) until 1869.
The remains of tateba-chaya (literally a tea house; a resting place between post towns) still exists.
Points of Interest
Ichikokutochi tateba-chaya is located between the two post towns of Tsumago and Magome. A double-flowered weeping cherry stands in front of the tea house and usually comes in full bloom in early May.
Interview
Mr. Akihiko Matsubara, the manager of the tea house
Tateba-chaya, standing by Ichikokutochi Shiraki-aratame Bansho ruins, was built in the mid-Edo period.
We interviewed Mr. Akihiko Matsubara. He is the manager of the tea house.
“This is a tea house along the walking path between Magome and Tsumago. We have preserved it as a free resting place. It was built as a farmhouse 250 years ago.”
While he spoke, visitors came in. They were foreign tourists.
“Welcome!” Mr. Matsubara started to have a talk with them pleasantly in English.
It was interesting to see him talk to foreigners against the Japanese traditional scene.
“This is a place for travelers to drop in and take a rest on Nakasendo. I hope everyone will pay a visit,” he said.
“Welcome!” Mr. Matsubara started to have a talk with them pleasantly in English.
Sunken hearth
Sunlight reflected on the smoke from the sunken hearth, very congenial
“People came to see the sunken hearth. Now more people come to walk and take photos.
A sunken hearth and an old potbelly stove are inside the tea house. Sunlight comes in through senbonkoshi lattice. You can see what life was like in the olden times.”
While we watched the interior, visitors came in one after another.
We felt very comfortable, thanks to Mr. Matsubara.
Attractions
Ichikokutochi tateba-chaya is located between the two post towns of Tsumago and Magome. A double-flowered weeping cherry stands in front of the tea house and usually comes in full bloom in early May.
Access
From the closest station & interchange
From Nagiso Station on the JR Chuo Line
10 minutes by taxi
From the Ina Interchange or the Nakatsugawa Interchange on Chuo Expressway
National road 19 and 256, 30 minutes by car
Address
Ichikokutochi tateba-chaya
1612-2 Kudaritani, Azuma, Nagiso Town, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Phone:0264-57-3098
