Build a good tourist trap, and the world will beat a path to your door. This seems to have been the thinking in the small town of Tsumago in southwestern Nagano Prefecture. Facing rural decay in the late '60s, the townspeople decided to do something about it. They reached for their one real asset the historical character of Tsumago as a way out.
Tsumago set about trying to re-create the old ambience of the post-station town it had been in more prosperous days. During Edo times (1603-1867), Tsumago was one of 67 stations on the Nakasendo, the lesser of the two main highways linking Edo (modern-day Tokyo) with Kyoto. These government-run post stations were places where travelers on the highway could stop for a break from their journey.
And Tsumago's idea for a reverse renovation worked exceptionally well for a while. In the early '70s, the place was swamped with visitors. But then, as is often the way with these things in Japan, the fad faded and tourists started looking to more exotic locations to spend their money. Visit Tsumago today, even during Golden Week, and you will have little problem finding a room for the night.