Tokaido 57 Walk (5) Hirakata-Korien: April 6, 2026

 

I started my walk today from Hirakata shukuba station. Hirakata was the largest of the four shukuba stations added to the Tokaido between Kyoto and Osaka.

The area around Keihan Railway's Hirakata-shi Station has now been converted into a commercial district.

 

The town has been renovated to retain the atmosphere of the old Tokaido, with many houses featuring lattice doors and windows.

 

The site of the main inn (honjin) has been developed into a park.

 

An inn building, which retains the architectural style of the time, is now used as a museum.

In the Edo period, Hirakata shukuba station flourished along the Yodo River. People of the time moved the area (from Yodo shukuba station through Hirakata to Koraibashi in Osaka) not only by walking but also by boat.

 

In the Edo period, the Yodo River flowed right beside this building. A new embankment was built in the Meiji era, and the river is now a little further away from the building.

From the second floor of the building, the view of the Yodo River was clearly visible. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

The riverbanks of the Yodo River had been developed into a park. (See also the top photo)

 

There is a museum exhibiting the history and nature of the Yodo River nearby.

 

After walking for about 15 minutes from Hirakata shukuba station, I arrived a promenade with a waterway along the Tokaido road. Here too, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

The Tokaido road then followed the Yodo River embankment. Many people were passing by on foot or by bicycle.

 

The skyscrapers of Osaka were visible downstream.

The Tokaido Road passed through Hirakata City and entered Neyagawa City. This time, I walked as far as Kōrien in Neyagawa City.

 

Tokaido 57 Walk (4) Iwashimizu Hachimangu-Hirakata: April 5, 2026

 

I walked the old Tokaido 57 stations route for the first time in about a year. The Tokaido 57 route was developed around 1620 as an addition to the Tokaido 53 stations route (Tokyo-Kyoto section), which was developed in the early 1600s.

The Tokaido 57 route is approximately 50 kilometers long, from just before Kyoto to Osaka. Further explanation can be found in the “Tokaido 57 Walk (1)” post (March 27, 2025).

Today's walk was from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine to Hirakata. Near Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, three tributaries of the Yodo River (Uji River, Katsura River, and Kizu River) meet. Approximately 220 cherry trees are planted along the riverbank at the confluence.

My visit coincided with the peak of cherry blossom season. Many people were there enjoying the blossoms.

The Tokaido road follows the Yodo River embankment. The cherry blossoms viewed from the Tokaido were magnificent. (See also the top photo)

Many people were enjoying cycling and walking along the road on the embankment. I found some cyclists sitting on the land to enjoy the cherry blossoms. (See the 2nd photo)

At this time of year, the rapeseed flowers were also in full bloom. Butterflies fluttered among the flowers. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

The Tokaido road left Kyoto Prefecture and entered Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture. I found a site of the Kuzuha daiba after crossing the prefectural border. It was built in 1965, at the end of the Edo period, for the purpose of defending Kyoto.

 

Continuing along the road, I arrived at Kuzuha Station of the Keihan Electric Railway. In front of the station is the largest shopping mall along the Keihan lone.

 

Part of the Tokaido road has become Osaka Prefectural Road No. 13.

 

Another section goes through a residential area.

The parks in the city were also full of cherry blossoms at this time of year. (See the 4th photo)

 

The Tokaido road continues south along the Yodo River. After walking over 10 kilometers from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, I arrived at the eastern end of Hirakata shukuba station.

 

Hirakata was a long, narrow shukuba town stretching for about 1.5 kilometers. The townscape retains the atmosphere of the Edo period.