Narai-juku is a post-station town that is the second most northern of the eleven Nakasendo post-station towns, situated along Torii pass. It used to be a prosperous town with many visitors passing through the main street. It was known as Narai-senken and was the most prosperous town in Kisoji. Narai-juku marks the entrance of the Torii pass, with its gate, the Shizume shrine, set towards Kyoto, and contains rows of houses and shops for about 1km along the Narai river. There are still Edo period features to be seen throughout Narai-juku, such as the lights of old hotels called Hatago, the lattice works of doors and windows, etc. It was recognized as one of the Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings in Japan in May of 1998.