List of the 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō facts for kids
The List of the 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō (東海道五十三次 (Tōkaidō Gojūsan-tsugi)) tells us about the rest stops along the Tōkaidō road. This famous coastal route connected Edo (which is now Tokyo) to Kyoto, two of Japan's most important cities. Imagine a super highway from long ago, with special places to stop and rest!
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What Were the Tōkaidō Stations?
There were 53 official rest areas, called shuku-eki, along the Tōkaidō. These stations were very important for travelers. When people traveled, they had to show special permits at each station. These stops were also perfect places to rest, eat, and get ready before continuing their journey.
Starting Your Journey in Tokyo
The Tōkaidō road began at the Nihonbashi Bridge in Chūō-ku, Tokyo. This bridge was like the starting line for many adventures! The first station was Shinagawa-juku in Shinagawa, Tokyo.
Traveling Through Kanagawa
After leaving Tokyo, travelers entered Kanagawa Prefecture. Here, they would find several more stations. These included Kawasaki-juku, Kanagawa-juku, and Hodogaya-juku. Each station offered a chance to rest and prepare for the next part of the trip.
Exploring Shizuoka's Stops
Next, the road passed through Shizuoka Prefecture, which had many stations. Some of these were Mishima-shuku, Numazu-juku, and Yoshiwara-juku. Travelers could enjoy the beautiful countryside as they moved from one stop to the next. Yui-shuku and Okitsu-juku were also important stops in this area.
The Road Through Aichi
As the journey continued, the Tōkaidō entered Aichi Prefecture. Here, stations like Futagawa-juku and Yoshida-juku welcomed travelers. Okazaki-shuku was another major stop, known for its castle town. The road was busy with people going to and from the big cities.
Discovering Mie's Stations
In Mie Prefecture, travelers found stations such as Kuwana-juku and Yokkaichi-juku. Kameyama-juku and Seki-juku were also important stops. These stations helped people complete their long journey safely and comfortably.
Final Stretch in Shiga
The last few stations before Kyoto were in Shiga Prefecture. Tsuchiyama-juku, Minakuchi-juku, and Ishibe-juku were among these. The very last station before the final destination was Ōtsu-juku in Ōtsu, Shiga.
Reaching Your Destination: Kyoto
The long journey on the Tōkaidō ended at the Sanjō Ōhashi Bridge in Kyoto. This was the finish line for travelers coming from Edo.
Provinces Along the Tōkaidō
The Tōkaidō road was very long and passed through many different regions, or provinces, of old Japan. It started in Musashi Province (where Edo was) and went through Sagami, Izu, Suruga, Tōtōmi, Mikawa, Owari, Ise, and Ōmi provinces. Finally, it reached Yamashiro Province, where Kyoto is located. This shows how important the road was for connecting different parts of the country!
Related pages
- Gokishichidō
- Edo Five Routes
