Nakasendo Samegai-juku

Samegai-juku, the 61st post town along the Nakasendo, is a place steeped in history and charm. Flowing west through the town is the Jizo River, fed by the famous “Isame-no-Shimizu” spring, from which Samegai takes its name. According to legend, this spring is where the mythical hero Yamato Takeru washed away the poison from his body. It has also been selected as one of the “Top 100 Exquisite Waters of the Heisei Era.”

The river maintains a steady temperature of around 14°C throughout the year, providing a habitat for the rare freshwater fish known as hariyo. It is also renowned for the unusual aquatic flower baikamo (water buttercup), which blooms in the river. This perennial plant from the buttercup family grows along the flow of the water, producing tiny white blossoms resembling plum blossoms. The best viewing season is from late July to late August, when many visitors come to Samegai-juku specifically to admire the baikamo in bloom.

Since the flowering area lies within a local residential zone, visitors are encouraged to avoid traveling by car and instead use public transportation.