Usui Sekisho, Historical checkpoint in Matsuida-machi Yokokawa, Japan
The Usui Sekisho was a checkpoint along the Nakasendo Road, a major route between Kyoto and Edo, where officials examined all passing people and goods. The buildings visible today were reconstructed to show how such a checkpoint was arranged and operated.
The checkpoint began as a trading station at a mountain passage and later became a key surveillance point during the Edo period. It remained active until 1869, when Japan fundamentally changed its political system and such controls became unnecessary.
The checkpoint was a meeting point where travelers from different regions had to present their travel documents to guards. The officials here paid particular attention to monitoring women and weapons, reflecting the strict control system of the period.
Visitors find informative displays on site that explain how travelers were checked and what rules applied. The mountain location means walking is required, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
The site sits at a pass that served as a natural boundary between different regions of Japan for centuries. This geographical feature made it an unavoidable point for anyone traveling this mountain route.
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