thumb|The Gokaidō

The , sometimes translated as "Five Highways", were the five centrally administered routes, or kaidō, that connected the de facto capital of Japan at Edo (now Tokyo) with the outer provinces during the Edo period (1603–1868). The most important of the routes was the Tōkaidō, which linked Edo and Kyoto. Tokugawa Ieyasu started the construction of the five routes to increase his control over the country in 1601, but it was Tokugawa Ietsuna, the 4th shōgun of the Tokugawa shogunate and Ieyasu's great-grandson, who declared them as major routes. Post stations were set up along the route for travelers to rest and buy supplies. Before this intervention, the post stations provided places for travelers to rest and ran a courier system. After the official takeover, the shogunate required that these stations give preferential treatment to those on official business or be forced to cease activity. In the 1640s, shōgun Tokugawa Iemitsu closed down all but the necessary stations, which would be the last major change during the Edo period. (This is not to be confused with the 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō, which refers to the Post Stations on the Tōkaidō.)

The shogunate also coordinated general improvements to the roads of the Five Routes. The roads were flattened and widened, with steeper sections paved with rough stone. Trees were planted alongside the road, and drainage ditches dug in many places. Markers were put up to indicate distance at each ri, which was defined at the time as 3.93 km (2.44 mi) from the starting point at Nihonbashi. While the Five Routes crossed many waterways, few bridges were built. Instead, ferry boats were instituted. Once it reached Kusatsu-juku, it shared its route with the Nakasendō.

;Nakasendō

:The Nakasendō (also often called the Kisokaidō) had 69 stations and ran through the center of Honshū, connecting with Kyoto. The Nakasendō's Shimosuwa-shuku served as the end point for the Kōshū Kaidō. Also, the Nakasendō merged with the Tōkaidō at Kusatsu-juku.

;Kōshū Kaidō

:The Kōshū Kaidō had 44 stations, connecting with Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture), before ending at the Nakasendō's Shimosuwa-shuku.

;Ōshū Kaidō

:The Ōshū Kaidō had 27 stations, connecting with Mutsu Province (Fukushima Prefecture). There were subroutes that connected to other places of northern Japan, too.

;Nikkō Kaidō

:The Nikkō Kaidō had 21 stations, connecting with Nikkō Tōshō-gū in modern-day Tochigi Prefecture.

Other official routes

As part of the Five Routes network, eight minor routes were also created by the shogunate:

  • Nankaidō
  • Nikkō Wakiōkan
  • Ōyama Kaidō
  • Saigoku Kaidō

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  • Satsuma Kaidō
  • Sendaidō
  • Shio no Michi
  • Tōgane Onari Kaidō
  • Tosa Kaidō
  • Ushū Kaidō
  • Yamato no Kodō

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See also

  • Gokishichidō
  • Kaidō
  • Great Post Road - a similar road in colonial era-Indonesia built in the early 19th century

References