Koshu Kaido Walk(1) Nihonbashi-Takaido: Sept.29, 2012

Five major routes connected Edo (Tokyo) and Japan’s main regions in the Edo period. They were:

*Tokaido (Edo-Kyoto via coastal area) 53 stations (shukuba)
*Nakasendo (Edo-Kyoto through mountain area) 69 stations
*Koshu Kaido (Edo-Kofu-Suwa) 38 stations
*Nikko Kaido (Edo-Nikko) 21 stations
*Oshu Kaido (edo-Tohoku area) 27 stations

I am walking Tokaido in last two years (I passed 28 stations). Today, I started to walk Koshu Kaido.

The route, as well as other four major routes, begins Nihonbashi, downtown Tokyo. It is now a busy commercial area.

The route goes through Tokyo railway station. The station will have a renewal open on October 1st. (A special display event was held on September 22nd. See “Tokyo Station Vision”). Many people were taking photos of the building.

The route goes along the moats of the Imperial Palace. Skyscrapers were built along the route. I saw many joggers and cyclists.

Apart from the palace, I headed for Shinjuku through Yotsuya. The part is now called Shinjuku-Dori Street. The street is always busy and noisy.

Shinjuku was the first station (shukuba) of Koshu Kaido. The area is, needless to say, the busiest commercial area in Tokyo. I passed Shinjuku 3chome corner, one of the most crowded corners in Shinjuku. It was almost impossible to move quickly as there were so many people. Isetan department store and other famous shops are there.

I walked through JR Shinjuku station. 3 to 3.5 million people use the station every day and the number is the largest in the world’s railway stations.

Koshu Kaido goes to west from Shinjuku. Current name of the street is also Koshu Kaido. Motor highways are built over the street.


I walked through 54 story Tokyo Opera City building in Hatsudai and arrived at Shimotakaido, the 2nd shukuba station.