Ooijuku was the 46th post town among the 69 stations along the historic Nakasendo highway connecting Edo (Tokyo) with Kyoto during Japan's Edo period (1603-1868). Located in former Mino Province in what is now part of Ena city in Gifu Prefecture, it once prospered as the best post station on the Minoji route and was reportedly the 9th most popular post town in Japan.
The town was strategically positioned in the southern foothills of the Japanese Alps near the Agi River, serving as a crucial rest stop for feudal lords, merchants, samurai, and other travelers on their journey between Japan's two most important cities. At its peak in 1843, Ooijuku had a population of 466 people living in 110 houses, including one honjin (official inn for dignitaries), one waki-honjin, and 41 hatago (regular inns). The most distinctive feature of Ooijuku is its unique urban layout designed for defense. The town consisted of five sections arranged at right angles, forming a pattern similar to castle fortifications with six masugata (defensive square bends) - the highest number found anywhere along the entire Nakasendo. While this gave the town an ordered appearance, the zigzag pattern made it deliberately difficult for potential attackers to navigate quickly.
Visitors can explore several well-preserved historical structures that evoke the atmosphere of Edo-period travel. The high-class main gate and lattice-doored residence of the headman still stand quietly, preserving memories of the town's bustling past. Though the original honjin was destroyed in 1946, its gate and outside walls remain intact. The restored Nakasendo Hishiya Museum, housed in the majestic Furuyama family residence of a former Edo-period headman, opened in 2000 and was renovated again in 2021.
The museum features an interactive navigation room where visitors can experience overpainting with simulated printing blocks. The original Nakasendo road remains largely intact through Ooijuku, preserving its historic width and featuring unpaved sections that were carefully restored as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' historic roads renovation project. Walking these authentic stone-paved streets allows visitors to experience the route exactly as Edo-period travelers did centuries ago.
Ooijuku is located 345 kilometers from Edo and can be accessed via JR Chuo Line to Ena Station. The post town is within walking distance of the station through the historic district. Individual attraction fees may apply for museums and specific historical sites. The Nakasendo Hiroshige Art Museum charges separate admission for its exhibitions and interactive experiences.
