I walked old Tokaido route in Yokohama for the first time since 2010.
Tokaido was a road which connected Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto in the Edo era. It was about 550 km. It had 53 shukuba stations, where accommodations were ready.
I walked whole route of Tokaido and visited 53 stations, including Yokohama, between between 2010 and 2015.
The historical sites are preserved as they were about ten years ago. Still, I found some changes in the town.
There spread Kanagawa shukuba station in the area near JR Yokohama station in the Edo era. The shukuba station was about 3km long.
Main inns were built around Takinogawa River in the Edo era. (See the top photo) The buildings have been disappeared. Only the sign boards remain today.
Some of the temples were used as residential sited of foreign peoples, who visited Japan from Europe and the U.S. in the late Edo era and early Meiji era (late 19th century).
James Curtis Hepburn, an American missionary who introduces Hepburn-style Latin alphabet to Japan, once stayed Jobutsuji Temple.
Old Tokaido has been converted into residential roads, shopping streets and wide main roads. JR Tokaido Line and other railways run along Tokaido. (see also the 4th photo)
The Kanagawa port located in front of Susaki Shrine. New lands have been made after the Meiji era. So, we cannot see the sea today from the shrine. (see the 2nd photo)
Tokaido runs on a hill in some part. The landscape of the port from the hill was beautiful in the Edo era and many Ukiyo-e were drawn from the place.
Many apartment houses stand here today.(see the 3rd photo) Some memories remain along along the road.
A traditional Japanese-style restaurants remains along the street. Oryo, the wife od Sakamoto Ryoma (Japanese hero in the Meiji Revolution ear) once worked here.
Nearly 3 million people use JR Yokohama station every day in 2022. It is the 3rd largest number after Shinjuku and Ikebukuro in Tokyo respectively.
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