Look, Akito. Can you see that sign? We're almost there.
That was really far.
It was only eight kilometers.
Only eight kilometers? That’s long. And we even climbed an 800 meter mountain.
Well, it was good exercise. And a lot of people outside of Japan know about this hiking course.
Really? Why?
One reasen is because you get a wooden card when you complete the walk. It's made out of hinoki, or Japanese cypress.
So that’s why you wanted to do this hike.
Uh-huh.
I’m Akito, and I am a street performer. Ben is my performing partner. Today, we were going to hitchhike to Nagoya, but Ben suddenly said he wanted to come to Kiso. It is an area in the mountains near the border of Gifu and Nagano prefectures.
We made it. Akito, this is Tsumago-juku.
Tsumago-juku? I've never heard of it.
Are you really Japanese? This is a very famous place.
Really? Why is it so famous?
Well, look at this street.
I look at the street. It looks like a movie set from an old samurai movie.
It almost feels like we will see a samurai here, doesn't it?
You're right.
I read that this place used to be a busy post station.
Post station? Ah, you mean a rest area on an old walking route.
Walking route?
During the Edo period, there were several walking routes that connected Edo and Kyoto. The route here is called Nakasendo. Along the routes, post stations were made so that people could rest. The post stations aren’t used anymore because cars and trains are faster then walking.
Then, why is Tsumago-juku still here?
Good question. Let me ask.
I talk to a person walking by. She tells me.
We wanted to protect our town. When you're in Tsumago-juku, it still feels like you're in the Edo period, right? We wanted to keep it that way. So we made three rules.
Could you tell us the rules?
Don't sell. Don't rent. Don't destroy.
Ah, I see. Those are simple but great rules.
Soon, it is night time. Many traditional lanterns are lit, and the town looks amazing.
So Akito, what should we do?
What do you mean?
Do you still want to go to Nagoya?
No, I think we should stay here tonight.
I think we should stay, too.
You wanted to stay here all along, right? In that case, we can leave for Nagoya first thing in the morning and do a show there.
Okay, okay… Hey. I smell something good.
Ah, that must be Goheimochi.
Goheimochi?
It's the specialty around here. it's a flat rice ball on a stick. You put a sauce made from sesame seeds, miso and walnuts on it. And then, you grill it. Ben. Where are you going?
I’m going to buy goheimochi, of course. I’m so hungry.