Walking the Historic Tōkaidō Road at Hakonemachi

This short video captures a quiet moment as I walk along the historic Tōkaidō Road in Hakonemachi, one of the important post towns during Japan’s Edo period. The Tōkaidō, meaning “Eastern Sea Route,” was the main travel and trade route connecting Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo).

Hundreds of years ago, travelers—including feudal lords, merchants, samurai, and pilgrims—would walk this same road, stopping at towns like Hakonemachi for rest and supplies. Today, parts of the original stone-paved road and cedar-lined paths remain, allowing visitors like myself to experience a piece of history firsthand.

Walking here offers a rare glimpse into the past, where the spirit of old Japan still lingers quietly between the mountains and the lake.