👋🏼 Hello! Today, Jiji goes to the Hakone 箱根町, Kanagawa, Japan! 🇯🇵
We had breakfast at the 400-year-old “Amazake Teahouse” and just about 5-minute walk from the teahouse, we started our walk through the cobbles on Old Tokkaido Road. It takes 40 minutes to walk from the trailhead to the Motohakone Port. Overall, it was a very relaxing hike. We didn’t see anyone else on the trail other than a few locals walking their dog. We kept on hearing crows during our walk, which reminds us of the anime Demon Slayer (鬼滅の刃), plus the trail resembles the path to the Swordsmith Village! Although I mentioned that this was a “relaxing” walk, it was actually not that easy to hike at the beginning because of how steep it is and the uneven cobblestones (you might even hear Jiji breathing hard 😅) But this experience puts things into perspective — now there are several train schedules a day that easily link Kyoto and Tokyo, but people used to travel this difficult road on foot for weeks centuries ago~
We also stopped by the Motohakone Port to enjoy a clear view of Fuji-san with the torii gate and Lake Ashi, a popular photo spot. And then we continued and ended our walk through the Ancient Cedar Avenue, with cedar trees towering over the trail that were planted 400 years ago to protect travelers from sunlight and wind. There were signs along the trail that provide significant cultural information about this historic road.
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00:00 Intro
00:58 Start of walk
02:57 Sign 1 – About cobblestone path
09:35 Big rock
13:02 Sign 2 – About stone paving
21:12 Sign 3 – About Futagoyama
25:31 Sign 4 – The Old Tokaido
36:09 The Hakone Old Road Map
38:21 Suginamiki Road sign
47:37 Lake Ashi
54:36 View of Fuji-san
56:04 Pirate Ship
1:00:00 Cedar trees
01:09:00 Photos
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🏃🏻♀️ WHERE JIJI WENT
▶ Heavy Snow in Otaru Snow Light Path Festival: https://youtu.be/ZKqSo4BAbrU?si=Oji2Qog7Ohq8AFEe
▶ Sapporo Snowy Midnight Walk: https://youtu.be/HIOp_hS_Kcc?si=2rtF5LGINyNfdzGL
▶ Snow in Sakaimachi Street: https://youtu.be/zF84sGlN5T4
▶ Early Blooming Cherry Blossoms at Kawazu Sakura Festival: https://youtu.be/bm9Q3so4FSA?si=n2gw5yKvGl-pkQ4T
▶ Relaxing Night Walk in Snowy Romantic Town Otaru: https://youtu.be/60tEV8jdXQE?si=qkH4TfULzOqyfZLB
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📍 The OLD TOKAIDO ROAD in Hakone has a rich history that dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan. The Tokaido Road was one of the five major highways established by the Tokugawa shogunate, connecting the capital city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto, the imperial capital. The Old Tokaido Road passed through various post towns, including Hakone, and played a crucial role in facilitating travel and trade during this period.
Hakone, located in the mountainous region west of Tokyo, served as a resting place for travelers of the Old Tokaido Road. It became famous for its hot springs (onsen). The town’s picturesque natural scenery and cultural significance, including Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains, added to its appeal, and even inspired many artists and writers over the centuries, which featured the Old Tokaido Road and its travelers in ukiyo-e prints, haiku and poetry, paintings, and performance art (kabuki and Noh theater).
One of the notable features along the Old Tokaido Road in Hakone is the Hakone Checkpoint (Hakone Sekisho). The checkpoint was strategically positioned to control the movement of people and goods. Travelers had to undergo inspections to ensure that they were not carrying weapons or were involved in any subversive activities.
In the modern era, Hakone has continued to thrive as a popular tourist destination. The Old Tokaido Road, with its historical significance and scenic beauty, remains a reminder of Japan’s feudal past and the importance of transportation routes in shaping the country’s cultural and economic landscape.
#hakone #japan #japantravel #slowtv #relaxingsounds #naturesounds #cc_for_subtitle
Hello! Today, Jiji goes to Old Tokaido Road in Hakone. This road holds immense cultural significance and fascinating history as one of Japan’s most significant routes during the Edo period (1603-1868). It was constructed by the Tokugawa shogunate to enhance control over the country. Recognizing the need for efficient communication and travel between the
Political capital Edo and imperial capital Kyoto, the Tokugawa shogunate developed a network of five major highways connecting various regions of Japan. The Tokaido Road was one of these major highways. We are only going to walk for 45 minutes until we get to Motohakone Port,
But the whole Tokkaido Road actually stretches 514 km (319 mi) between Nihonbashi in Edo and Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto passing through varied terrain, including plains, mountains, and coastal areas. The construction of the Tokaido Road was initiated in the early 17th century,
With significant improvements made to ensure a safe and efficient journey for travelers. For example, along the Ancient Cedar Avenue that we will visit later, it is lined with cedar trees towering over the trail that were planted 400 years ago to protect travelers from sunlight and wind.
The Tokaido Road served multiple purposes during the Edo period. It was a vital trade route, connecting economic centers and facilitating the movement of goods and people. The most common mode of travel for ordinary people was on foot. Pilgrims, merchants, and travelers traversed the Tokaido Road by walking,
covering approximately 500 kilometers from Edo to Kyoto. Horses were a common means of transportation for samurai, government officials, and messengers. Some travelers rode horses, while others used packhorses to carry their belongings. Daimyos and their retinues often traveled in style, utilizing palanquins (kago) carried by bearers.
This method was more comfortable and suitable for those in positions of power or those who could afford the expense. Travelers had to pass through numerous post towns (shukuba) along the route, each offering accommodations, food, and other necessities. The Tokaido Road was divided into 53 post towns,
each spaced at roughly one day’s travel distance. It provided a structured way for travelers to rest, change horses, and conduct business. Notable post towns along the Tokaido include places like Edo, Kanagawa, Hakone, Odawara, and Kyoto. The names of these towns became famous through art and literature,
Such as ukiyo-e prints by artists like Utagawa Hiroshige and writings of Matsuo Basho. The Tokaido Road was not only a practical means of transportation but also a cultural melting pot. The constant flow of people from different regions brought about the exchange of ideas, arts, and goods.
Artists like Utagawa Hiroshige depicted scenes from the Tokaido Road in their ukiyo-e woodblock prints, capturing the landscapes, landmarks, and the diverse people who traveled the route. The Old Tokaido Road was also featured in many haikus and poems. There is a poem inspired by the Tokaido Road that says,
“If you cross the slope of an oak tree, it will be so painful that you will cry tears the size of acorns.” Jiji can relate to the poem as she hikes the steep part of this cobblestone path 😅 Hakone served as a strategic location along the Tokaido Road,
And the Hakone Checkpoint was established to monitor and control the movement of travelers. It aimed to prevent the smuggling of weapons and unauthorized travel. The checkpoint’s architectural remains and reconstructed buildings provide a tangible link to the past, allowing visitors to experience the historical significance.
The Hakone region, through which the Tokaido Road passes, is known for its picturesque landscapes, including Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains. Travelers experienced not only the culture but also the natural beauty of the area. Hakone has been a renowned hot spring (onsen) destination for centuries,
Offering weary travelers a chance to relax and rejuvenate. The Edo period came to an end in 1868 with the Meiji Restoration, marking a shift from feudalism to a more modernized and centralized government. During this period, railway networks started to replace traditional highways, and the significance of the Tokaido Road diminished.
Today, portions of the Old Tokaido Road, including some well-preserved post towns and landmarks, serve as historical sites and popular tourist destinations, offering a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural and historical past. The Old Tokaido Road stands as a testament to the strategic vision of the Tokugawa shogunate, connecting people, culture,
And commerce across the diverse landscapes of Japan during the Edo period.