Draft:Unno-juku

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Unno-juku
Location	Nagano PrefectureTomi CityMotounno

Unno-juku (Unno Inn) is the designation for a post town along the Hokkoku Kaido (Northern Country Road) during the Edo period, located in Moto-Unno, Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture. Presently, it still retains a historical townscape with approximately 100 traditional Japanese houses lining both sides of the street, and it has been selected as one of the "100 Roads of Japan."

monument　of "100 Roads of Japan."

Unno-juku was a post station located midway along the Hokkoku Kaido (Northern Country Road), connecting Karuizawa and Zenkoji Monzen-machi (Nagano City), in the eastern part of Shinano Province (Shinshu, present-day Nagano Prefecture). Originally flourishing as the territory of the Unno clan during the Heian and Kamakura periods, as a castle town．After that it was established as a post town on the Hokkoku Kaido during the Edo era. Presently, it is part of the Tanaka-Nishi-Unno Line, a municipal road in Moto-Unno, Tomi City. On both sides of the 650-meter-long and 10-meter-wide old Hokkoku Kaido, there remain approximately 100 traditional houses, constructed in styles such as ryokan (inn) architecture, silkworm breeding houses, and thatched roofs (currently covered with copper plates).

The characteristic features of the houses include a row of lattice doors on the front, visible "udatsu" (fire-prevention walls) on the roofs, and intricate carvings on the second-floor  cantilevers. In the middle of the town street, the "Omote-no-Kawa," a water canal called, has flowed since the Edo period, and washbasins are provided for each pair of facing houses. It is believed that during the Edo period, horses were given water to drink, and travelers washed their feet here.

In recognition of its historical and beloved qualities, Unno-juku was designated as one of the "100 Roads of Japan" on August 10, 1986, by the former Ministry of Construction and the "Michi no Hi" (Day of the Road) Executive Committee, based on criteria of historical and nostalgic charm. Additionally, in 1987, Unno-juku was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Japanese Houses under the category of "post town and sericulture town." Ongoing efforts are dedicated to the maintenance of the houses with approximately three houses undergo renovations annually along the roadside.

"udatsu" (fire-prevention walls)

In 1625 (Kan'ei 2), Unno-juku was established by the Tokugawa shogunate as a post town along the Hokkoku Kaido (Northern Country Road). Initially, it was a combined inns with Tanaka-juku, later becoming its own post town.

The recognition as "Japan's 100 Roads" and designation as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Japanese Houses" prompted road environment improvement projects in Unno-juku from 1989. This included the renovation of the water canal, maintenance of roads, sidewalks, and landscaping, as well as the removal of utility poles.

Even today, remnants of the Edo period, such as the traces of honjin （the main inn） and waki-honjin（secondary inns）, as well as traditional inn constructions, are preserved. Additionally, traditional houses used in sericulture during the Meiji era still exist.

In Edo era unno-juku had a townscape that extended over approximately 6 blocks (about 650 meters). One honjin (main inn) and two waki-honjin (sub-inns) were provided. It was bustling with activity, serving as a transportation hub for the gold from Sado（island of Niigata Prefecture） to Edo（Tokyo）,for pilgrims going to Zenkoji, and being utilized for the daimyo 's（feudal Lords’）processions in the Hokuriku region. In the Meiji and Taisho eras, with the decline of travelers due to the development of the railway network, the town shifted its focus to sericulture, flourishing as a sericulture town.

Before the establishment of the post town, the area was known as Unno-go（Village of Unno） and Unno-sho（Manor of Unno）. It thrived as the territory of the prominent Shigeno clan in Eastern Shinano and the Unno clan, a branch of the Shigeno clan. The region had settlements even before the post town was founded. It is said to be the site of battles, such as the Battle of Unno Daira （Unno Plain）,the site of Kiso Yoshinaka's uprising. It is also said to be the birthplace of Sanada Yukitaka, a son of the Unno clan, and his brothers. In 1583, the Sanada clan summoned people from Unno to Ueda to establish the town around Ueda Castle, resulting in the reduction of the settlement and the establishment of the post town.

Aerial photograph around Unno-jyuku. Along the north bank of the Chikuma River, flowing from the east (right side of the image) to the west, lies the elongated post town of Unno-jyuku. Taken in 1975, based on aerial photographs from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Unno-juku is located in the southeastern part of the Ueda Basin in eastern Nagano Prefecture, with the Chikuma River flowing from east to west to its south. To the north lies the Asama mountain range, part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, and further south, across the Chikuma River, is a plateau known as Yaehara.

To the east of Unno-juku lies Shiratori Shrine, the patron deity of the Unno clan. In 1822 (Bunsei 5), the renowned sumo wrestler holding the title of ozeki Raiden Tameemon, who received the titles "Tenka Muso" and "Tenka Muryo" from the shogun Tokugawa Ienari, is said to have dedicated a sumo ring with four pillars to the shrine.

Public Transportation Transfer to Shinano Railway at Karuizawa Station on the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, then get off at Tanaka Station or Oya Station and take a taxi for 5 minutes. Private Vehicle 5 kilometers (10 minutes) from the Joshinetsu Expressway Toubu Yunomaru Interchange． Free Parking Lots Unno Parking Lot No.1 - Next to Shiratori Shrine. 29 regular car spaces, 2 wheelchair spaces, and 1 motorcycle space. Unno Parking Lot No.2 - Opposite the Mizumura Kiichiro Museum. 5 large vehicle spaces, 60 regular car spaces, 2 wheelchair spaces, and 1 motorcycle space. Unno Parking Lot No.3 - Near the Unno Mallet Golf Course. 15 large vehicle spaces.

References

Category:Coordinates on Wikidata Category:Tourism Category:Japan Category:Post town Category:History