Kobotoke no Seki, Feudal checkpoint in Urakakkocho, Japan
Kobotoke no Seki was a checkpoint on the Koshu Highway in the western mountains near Tokyo where people and goods were inspected and monitored. The location in a mountain pass made it an effective control point for regulating traffic and collecting tolls.
This checkpoint was established in the 1570s and played an important role in regulating trade during the feudal period. It remained active until changes in Japan's economy and travel patterns made such control points less necessary.
Officers at this checkpoint kept detailed records of merchants, performers, and officials passing through. These documents provide glimpses into how people moved and lived during feudal times.
The site is accessible via a hiking route through the western mountains with informational signs marking the way. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the path crosses hilly terrain.
The checkpoint used the mountain pass's natural features to spot travelers from a distance before they could pass. This vantage point allowed officers to monitor arrivals and block unauthorized routes effectively.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
