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Quaint, alluring townscape in an important preservation district for groups of historic buildings.
Mackerels and other seafood from Wakasa Bay came to this post town on its way to Kyoto. The road was called Saba Kaido (Mackerel Highway) or Wakasa Kaido, which connected Obama and Wakasa Town by the Wakasa Bay, Kumagawa Juku, over Shiga, through Ohara and Yase to Kyoto. Kumagawa Juku was created as a logistics hub in 1589 by Wakasa Domain’s lord, Asano Nagamasa, who Toyotomi Hideyoshi valued. It prospered as a post town bordering the Omi Border with more than 200 houses at its peak between early and mid Edo Period.
The 10.8 hectare-area, designated as an important preservation district for groups of historic buildings, is dotted with a magistrate’s office, guard stations, former warehouses, etc. Along the ancient highway, a canal, which was created when inns were built long ago, still runs by the traditional homes. The village office is now converted into a museum, Shukuba-kan, sharing the history of Kumagawa Juku and Saba Kaido (Mackerel Highway).
Saba Kaido, including Kumagawa Juku, along with Heshiko (pickled fish)-making skill and traditional events, is designated as a Japan Heritage Miketsukuni Wakasa and Saba Highway - A Cultural Heritage Linking the Sea to the Ancient Capital.”
Traditional homes converted into restaurants and shops
Kumagawa guard station used to be at the border of Wakasa and Omi
The former village office is now open as a museum
Chujo Bridge has been supporting the traffic of people and goods
The Roadside Station along the highway, Wakasa Kumagawa Juku, shares various info
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Kumagawa Juku is located by the Mikata Five Lakes in Fukui Prefecture. The scenery is beautiful and the environment is peaceful. You can enjoy the beauty of nature, admire the lakes and mountains, and relax. The local specialties, like mackerel dishes and sea bream soup, are also worth trying.
There was hardly anyone around—just an empty, deserted street. It felt like a town that's seen better days.