Usui Pass
The place that was originally called Karuisawa is, in actuality, approximately two to three kilometers from the post town, which is located at the western entrance to the Usui Pass. Karuisawa-shuku flourished more than any other post town along the Nakasendō, with five "honjin" and sub-"honjin", in addition to over 100 other structures for travelers. During the Edo period, the post town also employed hundreds of "meshimori onna" (飯盛女), women who were employed by the Shōgun to serve food to travelers. To the east of the post town, a bridge crossed over the Yakazaki River, where travelers reluctantly parted with the "meshimori onna".