Lodging Town along Nakasendo - Okegawajuku

Okegawajuku, located in Okegawa City in Saitama Prefecture, was developed in Edo Period (1603-1868) as the 6th lodging town along Nakasendo Rd. The image of the good old days of Japan still lingers in the area. Safflower and other produce were gathered and distributed in this lodging town, nationally known as Okegawa Enshi (scarlet dyes).

Inari shrine has the stone lanterns donated by safflower merchants and Japan’s biggest “power stone.” Along Nakasendo Road, there are 3-story Shimamura Family’s earthen warehouse built in 1836 and other rare buildings reminding us of Okegawajuku.

Okegawa Gion Festival, said to have begun in the mid Edo Period, has been loved and passed on to this day. Stop by Nakasendo Shukubakan that offers information about the city and Nakasendo as well as a place to rest.