Walking through Ancient Japan: Old Tokaido Road to Motohakone 【4K Relaxing Nature Ambience】

Описание: 👋🏼 Hello! Today, Jiji goes to the Hakone 箱根町, Kanagawa, Japan! 🇯🇵

We had breakfast at the 400-year-old “Amazake Teahouse” and just about 5-minute walk from the teahouse, we started our walk through the cobbles on Old Tokkaido Road. It takes 40 minutes to walk from the trailhead to the Motohakone Port. Overall, it was a very relaxing hike. We didn’t see anyone else on the trail other than a few locals walking their dog. We kept on hearing crows during our walk, which reminds us of the anime Demon Slayer (鬼滅の刃), plus the trail resembles the path to the Swordsmith Village! Although I mentioned that this was a “relaxing” walk, it was actually not that easy to hike at the beginning because of how steep it is and the uneven cobblestones (you might even hear Jiji breathing hard 😅) But this experience puts things into perspective — now there are several train schedules a day that easily link Kyoto and Tokyo, but people used to travel this difficult road on foot for weeks centuries ago~

We also stopped by the Motohakone Port to enjoy a clear view of Fuji-san with the torii gate and Lake Ashi, a popular photo spot. And then we continued and ended our walk through the Ancient Cedar Avenue, with cedar trees towering over the trail that were planted 400 years ago to protect travelers from sunlight and wind. There were signs along the trail that provide significant cultural information about this historic road.

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00:00 Intro
00:58 Start of walk
02:57 Sign 1 - About cobblestone path
09:35 Big rock
13:02 Sign 2 - About stone paving
21:12 Sign 3 - About Futagoyama
25:31 Sign 4 - The Old Tokaido
36:09 The Hakone Old Road Map
38:21 Suginamiki Road sign
47:37 Lake Ashi
54:36 View of Fuji-san
56:04 Pirate Ship
1:00:00 Cedar trees
01:09:00 Photos

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📍 The OLD TOKAIDO ROAD in Hakone has a rich history that dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan. The Tokaido Road was one of the five major highways established by the Tokugawa shogunate, connecting the capital city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto, the imperial capital. The Old Tokaido Road passed through various post towns, including Hakone, and played a crucial role in facilitating travel and trade during this period.

Hakone, located in the mountainous region west of Tokyo, served as a resting place for travelers of the Old Tokaido Road. It became famous for its hot springs (onsen). The town's picturesque natural scenery and cultural significance, including Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountains, added to its appeal, and even inspired many artists and writers over the centuries, which featured the Old Tokaido Road and its travelers in ukiyo-e prints, haiku and poetry, paintings, and performance art (kabuki and Noh theater).

One of the notable features along the Old Tokaido Road in Hakone is the Hakone Checkpoint (Hakone Sekisho). The checkpoint was strategically positioned to control the movement of people and goods. Travelers had to undergo inspections to ensure that they were not carrying weapons or were involved in any subversive activities.

In the modern era, Hakone has continued to thrive as a popular tourist destination. The Old Tokaido Road, with its historical significance and scenic beauty, remains a reminder of Japan's feudal past and the importance of transportation routes in shaping the country's cultural and economic landscape.

#hakone #japan #japantravel #asmrsounds