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Tourism - Tokaido, Fujikawa:
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Fujikawashuku was the 37th station between Edo (former name of Tokyo) and Kyoto
and measures about 1km in length. The active life of the relay post was supported
by 302 homes, 1 wholesaler, 1 military headquarters with barracks and 36 inns.
The castle-town/station of Okazaki was also a busy place as the roads and rivers
were used for distribution, though curves were added to the Tokaido Road for
defensive purposes, which earned it the name "27 turns".
From the contemporary Fujikawa trainstation, the Tokaido road stretches both
to the left and the right. At the Fujikawa trainstation, a map introduces you
to Fujikawa and provides you with directions. Places of interest along the actual
road are marked but unfortunately, the explanations are in Japanese only. The
tourist office in Okazaki can provide you with flyers and more information.
In addition to the official sightseeing spots, there are a few small temples
and shrines and the walk is good exercise.
The entrance to the relay station and the famous illustration of it.
(Click on any of the picture to enlarge)
This was the eastern entrance to the relay station. Utagawa Hiroshige, a famous ukiyoe painter of the Edo period, painted Fujikawa as the entrance of the Tokaido road. It became and still is a symbol of Fujikawa.
Stone lantern inside the relay station.
(Click on the picture to enlarge)
Stone lanterns can be found throughout Japan. Okazaki is famous for its stone masonry.
Entrance to the military barracks.
(Click on the picture to enlarge)
The barracks were built to house soldiers in the Edo period. It is said to be the oldest building associated with Fujikawa as station on the Tokaido road. The current gate dates back to the late Edo period. The barracks house a small museum.
The monument with the engraved haiku.
(Click on the picture to enlarge)
This monument is engraved with a haiku about Fujikawa composed by the poet Matsuo Basho. Thus it is called the Basho no Kuhi ("Basho monument"). It roughly translates to "Here, in Mikawa, irises of purple wheat". In connection with this poem, local people began growing the purple wheat once more, and now the wheat makes a colorful spectacle. The most spectacular time to see the "Murasaki Mugi" is in mid-May. One field is right behind the trainstation, another one is located a few steps further away.
Pines along the road.
(Click on the picture to enlarge)
Around 90 black pines along the road give the visitor a feel for what it must
have been like to travel through Fujikawa a long time ago. These black pines
were named a Natural Monument of the City of Okazaki in 1963. The tallest pine
measures almost 30m and the circumference at the root is around 2m.
How to get there:
Take the Meitetsu train from Higashi Okazaki towards Toyohashi - Fujikawa is the the third station after Otogawa and Miai. The ride takes about 8min.
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