Tokaido

The Tokaido road, which dates back to the 11th century, connects the two most important cities in Japan: Edo (today called Tokyo) and Kyoto.

It is 500km long and follows the southern coast of the biggest island in the Japanese archipelago, Honshu.

Travelers in the 17th century took approximately two weeks to complete the route, usually on foot, sometimes on horseback, and more rarely in litters (for the wealthiest).

There were 53 stages to the route, and a number of inns were located along the road where travelers could rest and stock up on supplies. The road and inns inspired a number of artists, among them the famous Hiroshige, who produced a series of woodcut prints: Tokaido Gojusan Tsugi no Uchi (The fifty-three stations of the Tokaido).