It is one of the ancient post stations (postal towns) along the Kumano Kodo World Heritage route.

There are various theories about the origin of the place name, it was previously written as “Chikayu” and “Chikatsuyu” in the Heian period.

A common tale says that the area was named by a boy emperor, who snapped a reed while travelling nearby and asked if the liquid dripping from it was 'blood or dew' ('chi ka tsuyu').

There is a well-stocked roadside station (michi no eki) nearby, the A-Coop grocery store along Highway No.

There are multiple inns in town that go back to the Edo period, including Nonaka (Tsugizakura-oji).