Tōkaidō

(Leaf 62) – Looking Back

 

Following in the footsteps of Matsuo Bashō, I’ve walked the Hakone section of the Tōkaidō twice. First, in the winter of 2003-2004, and then, second, in the rainy season of 2009. Tōkaidō (東海道) means ‘East Sea Road.’ Hakone has one of the remaining paved stretches of the old road which joined Tokyo (or, Edo, as it was then known) with Kyoto. People nowadays more commonly travel between the two cities on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, or Bullet Train. Walking this part of the Tōkaidō is a good way to escape the urban hustle and bustle, and imagine the Japan of an older era.

 

 

TŌKAIDŌ

 

Passing through

a mountain village

– sweet smell of woodsmoke.

 

 

 

All Photographs by Tim Chamberlain