Explore the Footprints of the Edo Period: A Trip to Shimo-Nerima-juku in Tokyo
I spent a time full of historical charm at Shimo-Nerima-juku in Tokyo, Japan. This place was once an important post station in the Edo period, and many ancient buildings and streets are still preserved today, making people feel as if they have traveled back to that ancient era. I took thirteen photos to record this unforgettable visit.
According to the tourist sign, this area of the shopping street in the old Kawagoe Kaido was once the site of "Shimo Nerima-juku" during the Edo period. The Kawagoe Highway connects Edo-Nihonbashi and Kawagoe, with a total length of approximately 43 kilometers, and separates from the Nakasendo Road at Itabashi-juku. Shimo-Nerima-juku consists of the upper, middle and lower lodgings, and has facilities such as the Honjin, Waki-honjin and Ton-ya-ba. These facilities mainly provide accommodation and rest services for the shogunate servants and daimyo. People living in Shimo-Nerima-juku, merchants and craftsmen addressed each other by their "house names". Due to its location close to Edo, Shimo-Nerima-juku served more as a rest stop than a major accommodation point. However, the place was often bustling with officials, traveling merchants, and pilgrims heading to Mount Oyama and Mount Fuji.
Here, I also learned about the legend of "Nerima Daikon". It is said that the Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi of the Edo period suffered from beriberi when he was young and recuperated in Shimo-Nerima Village. He introduced the seeds of the daikon tsunamu from Owari, and the local citizen Kinbei planted four-foot-long daikon tsunamu on Sakuradai, which Tsunayoshi ate and recovered from. Later, he became a general and made the daikon radish here a specialty to be presented as an offering, which made Nerima daikon radish famous all over the world.
In addition, there is the Kitamachi Kannon Hall, which houses the "Kitamachi Seikanon Seated Statue" inscribed in 1682 and other stone structures, all of which show people's beliefs and history. Walking among these ruins, I felt the strong historical atmosphere and profound local cultural heritage.
This trip to Nerima-juku not only allowed me to feel the profoundness of Japanese history, but also allowed me to experience the unique charm of the local area. I will always treasure this wonderful memory and look forward to returning here in the future to explore more of its historical and cultural beauty. #Tokyo #Shimo-Nerimajuku #Edo Period #Historical Exploration #Travel Memories