Tōkaidō

Tōkaidō is a historic route between Edo and Kyoto in Japan that runs 514 kilometers along the eastern coast of Honshu. The road passes through several provinces and links cities like Yokohama, Shizuoka and Nagoya on its way between the two former capitals.

The Tokugawa shogunate established this route in 1603 as an official link between the two centers of power. Feudal lords were required to travel annually along this road to Edo to demonstrate their loyalty and fulfill administrative duties.

Hiroshige created a famous series of woodblock prints showing each of the 53 stopping points along this road. His images document the inns, tea houses and ferry crossings that travelers used on their journey between the two capitals.

The modern Shinkansen bullet train line and expressways run largely parallel to the original historic route. Many of the old stopping points along the coast have preserved their traditional street layouts and can be explored on foot.

The road had designated rest stations spaced one day's walk apart from each other. Travelers found lodging, meals and the option to exchange tired horses for fresh ones at these stops.