Tochimoto Barrier, Historic checkpoint in Chichibu, Japan
Tochimoto Barrier is a preserved two-story wooden checkpoint structure in Chichibu that once controlled passage between Kai and Musashi provinces through the Karisaka Pass. The building demonstrates the physical setup and layout of such control points during feudal times.
The barrier was established during the Edo period as part of a system to monitor all travelers and control the movement of weapons. It had played a strategic role earlier during the Sengoku period when control of this mountain pass mattered for gold mining operations.
The barrier demonstrates how closely feudal Japan controlled movement, with officials checking travel documents and collecting fees from those passing through. This system reflected the rigid social order of the time.
The site sits near National Route 140 with information panels on-site explaining its history. Visitors should expect mountain terrain and wear appropriate footwear for exploring the area.
The checkpoint did not merely collect taxes but also enforced a rule preventing women from leaving Edo, a particularly strict aspect of Tokugawa control. This specific regulation made it more than just a weapons checkpoint.
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