Explanation of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido 22 Okabe
6.8km from Fujieda to Okabe, 34°55’08.0″N 138°16’56.0″E
Okabe is the 21st station on the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.
Currently located in Okabe-cho, Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
This is the first station you reach after crossing Utsunoya Pass, one of the most difficult sections of the road, from Maruko-juku.
It consists of Okabe Honjuku and Uchitanika-juku.
In records from 1843 during the late Edo period, there were two Honjuku, 487 houses, a population of 2,322, and the area flourished with merchant houses and inns lined up around the Honjuku.
Okabe-cho is located between Shizuoka City and Fujieda City.
Utsunotani Pass is still a key transportation hub, and the old road and tunnels from the Meiji, early Showa, mid-Showa, and Heisei periods all remain usable.
It merged with Fujieda City on January 1, 2009.
Utsunoya Pass is a pass located on the south side of Mt. Utsuyama, at an altitude of about 151 meters.
From the road from the Heian period (Ivy Narrow Road) to the tunnel of the current National Route 1, all have been preserved in a passable condition, allowing visitors to learn about the changes in the road.
The old highway, the tunnels from the Meiji, early Showa, mid-Showa, and Heisei periods all remain usable.
On February 22, 2010, it was designated as a national historic site under the name “Tokaido Utsunoya Pass” as a valuable resource for learning about transportation on the Tokaido in the early modern period.
The reconstructed inn, Kashibaya, is registered as a national tangible cultural property.
“Okabe-juku Honjin Site” and “Old Tokaido Pine Tree Avenue” are designated as historic sites of Fujieda City.
When the Tokaido Main Line was constructed in the Meiji era, it was originally planned to pass through Okabe-juku, but the route was changed to go via Okuzure Coast, avoiding the rugged terrain and the long detour of Utsunotani Pass.
The Tokaido Main Line was never built, and the town fell into decline as a post town.
With the aim of utilizing the history and culture of the Tokaido as a tourist resource, Fujieda City implemented the “Okabe-juku Uchino Honjin Historic Site Development Project” from 2011 to 2015, and turned the area around the former Honjin site into a park.
The front gate and walls were restored to harmonize with the Hatago Kashiwaya, and the remains of the Honjin building inside were displayed in a two-dimensional form with grass and wooden boards.
The Honjin building was introduced and maintained so that it could be used for events.
① “Hoeido version”
It depicts the pass road of Utsunoya Pass between mountains looming on both sides.
Woodcutters are passing by, having gathered firewood along the pass road.
This mountain pass was constructed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Momoyama period and used as a highway.
The Okabe River flows vigorously through a waterway that has been created beside the road.
Only the upper body of the person in the back of the three people walking towards you is drawn.
The three are skillfully depicted climbing up the steep mountain pass.
In the mountains on the right is the “Narrow Ivy Road” famous from “The Tales of Ise.”
②”Gyousyo version”
This depicts a teahouse selling the famous “Ju-dango” (10 dumplings).
Ju-dango is a string of 10 dumplings.
On the left, the traveler with only the upper body and an umbrella depicts a steep and rugged slope.
③ “Reisho version”
The road to Utsunoya Pass is depicted as narrow and steep.
④ “Hokusai version”
It is thought to be a horse trader standing in front of an inn, worrying.
⑤ “Travel image”
This is a sign for Okabe-juku.
This is the site of the main camp at Okabe-juku.
⑥ “Stamp image”
This is a stamp from Okabe-juku.
Hoeido version
Gyousyo version
Reisho version
Hokusai version
Travel image
Stamp image
