Fujikawashuku
Highway Development Changed People's Lives
Japan is thought to have constructed its first direct-route roads around the 7th century and are believed to have been inspired by Sui Dynasty China. Later roads were developed along with the construction of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to allow the faithful to worship. The kaido highways were built between the late 15th and late 16th centuries during the Warring States period to facilitate the movement of troops and supplies.
When Tokugawa Ieyasu gained control of the nation in 1601, he understood that a rapid flow of information was essential to governing the entire country and so began development of a highway stretching some 495 kilometers between Nihonbashi in Edo (Tokyo) and Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto. Ichiri-zuka mileposts were set up every 3.9 kilometers or so along the way to mark distances, while designated post stations were established to serve as hubs for the relaying of official packages and communications. During Japan’s peaceful mid Edo period (around the 18th century), commoners also began traveling the highways, filling them with people from all walks of life. As the kaido further developed and logistics improved, merchants increasingly began to do business along the routes. Eventually, these highways became indispensable to Japanese life.
Maintaining the Post Stations
As logistics increased and traffic intensified, many merchants and tradespeople began to make Fujikawa their permanent home. When first established, the post town was originally only about 630 meters long and home to just 36 couriers and 36 horses, but as traffic increased, the Shogunate demanded 100 people and 100 horses be stationed there. Securing that many people and horses posed a problem, but a through-road was opened to the east of the town in 1648, and 68 locals were ordered to relocate their homes about two kilometers to the southeast to maintain the post station functions. The Fujikawa post town settlement was extended to about 1,020 meters and included 157 shops and homes. In 1868, Japan’s feudal society collapsed, and on entering the modern Meiji period (1868-1912) the post stations gradually ceased to serve their former functions. Despite this, the old Edo period atmosphere remains to this day.
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Fujikawashuku
Highway Development Changed People's Lives
Japan is thought to have constructed its first direct-route roads around the 7th century and are believed to have been inspired by Sui Dynasty China. Later roads were developed along with the construction of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to allow the faithful to worship. The kaido highways were built between the late 15th and late 16th centuries during the Warring States period to facilitate the movement of troops and supplies.
When Tokugawa Ieyasu gained control of the nation in 1601, he understood that a rapid flow of information was essential to governing the entire country and so began development of a highway stretching some 495 kilometers between Nihonbashi in Edo (Tokyo) and Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto. Ichiri-zuka mileposts were set up every 3.9 kilometers or so along the way to mark distances, while designated post stations were established to serve as hubs for the relaying of official packages and communications. During Japan’s peaceful mid Edo period (around the 18th century), commoners also began traveling the highways, filling them with people from all walks of life. As the kaido further developed and logistics improved, merchants increasingly began to do business along the routes. Eventually, these highways became indispensable to Japanese life.
Maintaining the Post Stations
As logistics increased and traffic intensified, many merchants and tradespeople began to make Fujikawa their permanent home. When first established, the post town was originally only about 630 meters long and home to just 36 couriers and 36 horses, but as traffic increased, the Shogunate demanded 100 people and 100 horses be stationed there. Securing that many people and horses posed a problem, but a through-road was opened to the east of the town in 1648, and 68 locals were ordered to relocate their homes about two kilometers to the southeast to maintain the post station functions. The Fujikawa post town settlement was extended to about 1,020 meters and included 157 shops and homes. In 1868, Japan’s feudal society collapsed, and on entering the modern Meiji period (1868-1912) the post stations gradually ceased to serve their former functions. Despite this, the old Edo period atmosphere remains to this day.