Explanation of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido 8 Hiratsuka
2.9km from Oiso to Hiratsuka 35°19′38.2″N 139°20′16.1″E
Hiratsuka is the seventh post station of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.
It is now Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The distance between Hiratsuka and Oiso is 3km, the second shortest distance among the post stations on the Tokaido after the 1.7km between Goyu and Akasaka.
Hiratsuka, located close to Oiso, was established as a communication base between the Nakahara Palace and the Jin’ya.
Hiratsuka is lined with town houses along the Tokaido, which runs straight from east to west.
When travelers from Edo enter Hiratsuka, they can see Mount Koma directly ahead, and it follows them right in front of them.
In Hiratsuka, where there were few travelers staying overnight, there is a story that travelers were forced to stay overnight, saying, “You have to cross that Mt. Koma to get to Oiso. It’s going to be difficult to cross it now.”
The name Hiratsuka appears in the Azuma Kagami as “Hiratsuka Hanryuji” and “Kurobemiya Hiratsuka.”
In 1843, Hiratsuka-shuku had one honjin, one wakihonjin, 54 hatago, 443 houses, and a population of 2,114 people.
Part of Yawata village became Yawata Shinjuku, an extension of Hiratsuka-shuku, and in 1655 it became Hiratsuka-shinjuku.
Between the western end of Hiratsuka-shinjuku and Hiratsuka-shuku, there was a 270m long avenue of pine trees.
On both sides of the Tokaido, private houses line the road, which is 1km long and 7m to 11m wide.
The inns are in line from the Edo side, 18ken-cho, 24ken-cho, Higashi-naka-cho, Nishi-naka-cho, and Yanagi-cho.
The wholesaler’s shop was obligated to keep horses and men on hand and was in charge of running the shop.
The wholesaler’s shop is located between 24-kencho and Higashi-nakacho and is called Higashi-gumi Toin’ya.
The other is located in Nishi-nakacho and is called Nishi-gumi Toi’ya.
Wakihonjin Yasubei is located on the north side of the road at 24-kencho, and Honjin Kato Shichirobei is located at Nishi-nakacho.
This is the home town of Shonan Bellmare of the J-League.
Formerly the Fujiwa Real Estate Soccer Club, the team joined the J-League in 1994 under the name Bellmare Hiratsuka.
In 2000, it was renamed Shonan Bellmare.
Their home stadium is Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka.
Their training ground is the Banyu Fureai Park Soccer Ground in Hiratsuka City.
The team’s name is a combination of the Latin words bellum (beautiful) and mare (sea).
① “Hoeido version”
This is a view of the Nawate Road, lined with pine trees and surrounded by rice fields.
The Nawate Road is a path between rice paddies.
The round mountain in the background is Mount Koma, 165m above sea level.
Behind it, Mount Fuji can be seen as a small figure.
In the center, a shirtless courier hurries ahead.
A kago carrier is carrying an empty palanquin on his back, heading home.
A signpost called a “boubana” stands beside the road.
The sign reads, “From here east, Edo Tarozaemon Magistrate’s Office, Hiratsuka-juku on the Tokaido.”
② “Gyosho version”
This is a view of the boat dock on the Banyuu River.
A traveler waiting for a boat and a horse loaded with luggage are depicted.
A small ferry boat is depicted on the opposite bank.
The main characters are the traveler waiting for a boat and the horse loaded with luggage.
③ “Reisho version”
The Hoeido version depicts a similar scene.
Mt. Koma is depicted lower than in the Hoeido version.
④ “Hokusai version”
A horse trader resting his horse and a porter carrying large luggage are depicted next to a torii gate and a stone lantern.
⑤ “Travel image”
This is Hiratsuka Station.
The former Nishigumi wholesaler(toi’ya).
⑥ “Stamp image”
This is a stamp from Hiratsuka Station.
Hoeido version
Gyousyo version
Reisho version
Hokusai version
Travel image
Stamp image
