Site of the Former Fukushima Checkpoint

Flow of the course

About this spot

The remains of a checkpoint that, during the Edo period, controlled travelers and goods passing along the Nakasendo. Counted alongside Hakone, Arai, and Usui as one of the four major checkpoints on the Nakasendo and Tokaido, it played an important role guarding the entrance to the Kiso Valley. The museum displays the travel permits needed to pass through the checkpoint and exhibits conveying what the controls were like, letting you learn just how demanding travel was in that era. Surrounded by the Kiso River and mountains, the site also lets you sense why the checkpoint was placed in this particular location. It's a historic site the whole family can enjoy, letting you actually walk through and experience a checkpoint you may have learned about in history class.

Tips

You can walk here from Kiso-Fukushima post town. The museum's viewing hours may be limited, so it's reassuring to check the opening hours before you visit. From here, walk through town to reach Suimu Shrine next.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour. It's recommended to take your time viewing both the historic site and the museum together

Access & map

Fukushima, Kiso-machi, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture 397-0001