MAISAKA & ARAI SHUKU
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
The Old Tokaido Highway became firmly established in the early 17th century as the main thoroughfare for travelers between the new capital of Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto.
Arai Shuku, the 31st Post Town out of the 53 on the Tokaido Highway had a significant checkpoint / barrier station.
The original checkpoint building built in 1600 (relocated twice and reconstructed in 1858) is the only sekisho building left in Japan.
Here travelers were required to show their travel documents which had stamps on them with permissions to travel with women (woman were not allowed to travel alone), firearms or prisoners.
The Arai Sekisho was known for its strict security to protect the Edo Government and feared by travelers without the correct documentation, or anyone trying to smuggle contraband or people out of, or into, Edo.
Those caught breaking the law at checkpoints were dealt with severely with punishments that included crucifixion as a means of setting an example and dissuading others from doing the same.
The Arai Sekisho had a wharf on the inland shore of Lake Hamana and was only accessible by boat from neighbouring Maisaka Post Station.
Because Lake Hamana is so large, any travelers trying to avoid the Arai Sekisho faced a lengthy, and challenging, detour.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
The Arai Sekisho is accessible from Araimachi Station which is 4 stops from Hamamatsu Bullet Train Station.
The following is an example of a 1-day itinerary starting and finishing at Hamamatsu JR Tokaido Bullet Train Station.
MORNING
From Hamamatsu Station take the local Tokaido Line train and first stop at Bentenjima Station to check out the only remaining authentic ‘Waki-Honjin’ in Japan.
Waki-Honjin were the modern-day equivalent of 4-star accommodation used by the upper-class travelers if the 5-star ‘Honjin’ accommodation were not available.
A visit to the Maisaka Waki-Honjin will give you a better understanding of life on the Tokaido.
After a stop in Maisaka it will be time for lunch – Lake Hamana is famous for its broiled eel and, in winter, fresh oysters.
If you are looking for something traditional and local there are great restaurants near Araimachi Station.
If something a little more Western is prefered, or you are traveling with kids, take the train to Bentenjima, grab a burger & fries at American Diner style Leader and, if the weather permits, enjoy a picnic on the beach.
AFTERNOON
After lunch and maybe sometime on nearby Bentenjima Beach have a wander around the town of Arai.
Be sure to pop into both the site of the Arai Checkpoint, the Sekisho History Museum and also the Kinokuniya Museum.
Arai is a small town with a lot of character and friendly locals, it is well worth a couple of hours just wandering around.
If you have time there are a number of other attractions in the area.
For die-hard Tokaido Highway fans it is possible to follow the Old Tokaido to Shirasuka – the last post station in Shizuoka – and visit the beach scene in the Hiroshige Ukiyo-e Painting or visit the Onyado Shirasuka Museum.
For more information on other things to do in the area, including water sports and traditional nighttime Spearfishing experiences, check – 5 Ways to Enjoy Lake Hamana.
For a detailed map of Maisaka & Arai and Tokaido Related attractions in English check www.shizuoka-tokaido.biz
