One of the best-preserved post towns on the old Nakasendō highway, sitting on the outskirts of Hikone about 3 kilometres northeast of the castle. The main street retains its original scale: low wooden buildings with deep eaves, latticed facades, and inns that have been operating since the Edo period. Walking its length takes under twenty minutes and feels genuinely removed from the modern city.
Toriimoto is far less visited than the more famous Nakasendō towns of Magome and Narai, which makes it all the more authentic. The Ohinaya inn and the Fujisawa-ya merchant house are the most intact buildings. Combine with a visit to Hikone Castle to make a full day.