Thank you for joining our tour! We welcomed 18 guests from Argentina, Czech Republic, Canada, Germany, US and Israel.
While Meiji Jingu was busy with multiple events taking place at once, all the guests were individually enjoying their experience.
Today one of our guests share us her hiking experience of the Nakasendo trail. Listening to her stories brought back memories of my own trip from several years ago of the path between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago. Walking this ancient trail was like stepping back to the Edo Shogunate era (1603-1868)
The Nakasendo (“Central Mountain Road” – 534km, 20 days on foot ) was, alongside the coastal Tokaido (“Eastern Sea Road ” – 492km, 15 days on foot), one of the two great highways connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. It was an artery that served as a mandatory path for the feudal lords, merchants, and common travelers. The 69 accommodation posts along the route provided the travelers food and shelter.
But why did people choose this difficult, mountainous route instead of the shorter Tokaido route?This is because the Tokaido ran along the coast, requiring multiple river crossings. Due to Shogunate rules, many major rivers lacked bridges for security reasons. This was the massive problem for travelers : heavy rains could easily cause water level to rise, leaving the travelers days of delays and extra costs for accommodation.
In contrast, the mountainous Nakasendo, while physically tougher, had fewer major river obstacles that made it a more predictable route. High class officers who couldn’t risk delays, often chose the Nakasendo to avoid the rivers.
Among the 69 Nakasendo posts, I did a 9km hike between the stunning Magome and Tsumago and was touched by the ancient preservation.
When Japan entered the Meiji Era and began modernizing, key industries and major transportation (railways, expressways, later the Shinkansen) were built along the Tokaido route. The Nakasendo, simply fell out of heavy use as it was isolated in the mountains. This geographic and economic isolation protected it from the wave of industrial development.
Walking the stone-paved path in the deep forest and the traditional preserved villages, you will feel like a traveler from the past. If you’re looking to feel the pulse of old Japan, you absolutely must walk this road!
Once again, thank you for choosing Tokyo Free Walking Tour during your stay in Tokyo. Your feedback is important and helpful to us. If you enjoyed our tour, please consider posting a review on our TripAdvisor/Facebook etc. Your comments will help contribute to higher-quality tours.
Posted by Asako