Walking Around National Historic Sites Hakone Sekisho Ato

Thetraveljunkie.org – Sometimes, when we reminisce about our trip to Japan we struggle to decide what our favourite city is. Tokyo is breathtaking, futurist and totally incredible but Hakone has something which we absolutely adored: magic.

We loved getting lost around Hakone, especially around the Hakone Sekisho. It was great to walk around National Historic Sites Hakone Sekisho Ato (Old Checkpoint). Feel the past come alive at this historic checkpoint for foot and vehicle traffic along the Tokaido Road, linking Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto in the Edo period. Inspection and tax collection were held in the Edo style building.

The Hakone Sekisho was an important historic site of the Edo Era traffic history. In the process of reconstruction old carpenter tools and traditional architectural techniques were used and it appeared again at the Lakeside of Ashi after 140 years. The dignified appearance impresses people and it brings the Edo priode back to life. As it is a checkpoint, the scenic location is truly a gateway of the Hakone Sekisho will lead you into the journey to Hakone filled with the historical atmosphere.

The room, called Menbansho, is the main room of the office where Checkpoint officials from Odawara Domain inspected travelers. Off-duty quarters are located west of the office. It was used as a temporary residence for officials who worked in one month shifts.

This is the third largest building following office and Off-duty quarters and is located in front of those buildings, beside Edo side gate. Minor officials served here in the daytime, and slept at night. Inside of the building, there were rooms for minor officials and temporary prison cells for criminals.

Tomibansho (lookout), during the Edo period it was prohibited crossing Ashi by boat. Minor officials patrolled Lake Ashi and the nearby road day and night. There is an open space near Lookout where visitors can get a nice view of the Lake.