Customer Reviews

Rediscovering the Old Tokaido: In the Footsteps of Hiroshige

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I have just finished walking in the delightful, enthusiastic and quirky company of Patrick Carey, the 303 miles of the Old Tokaido. Unlike the author who was footsore and weary at the end, I felt refreshed, enlightened and keen to learn more about Japan, its history, its people and its artists particularly, naturally, about Hiroshige. Prior to reading this book, I have to confess to an almost total ignorance of the subject, so it was with a virtually blank canvas that I started to read. Armed only with copies of the wood block prints made by Hiroshige following his 1832 journey along the Tokaido, a couple of photocopied sketchy maps, a rucksack and boundless enthusiasm, the author set out to trace the old road, seemingly lost among the modern arteries of rail and trunk roads. The prints are grouped together near the start of the book and I only came to look at them closely as the author reached each one stage by stage - it was a bit of a fiddle flicking back and forth, but once I mastered marking the print with the front cover and my place in the story with the back, I found it quite practical and well worth the effort. At each stage of the journey we are entertained by historical facts, topographical notes, encounters with a variety of people all of which contribute to a good read.

To Kai Do
East Sea Road

Tokaido=Eastern sea road
Shogun's ancient highway from Tokyo to Kyoto.


Most books concerning Ando Hiroshige and the 53 stages (actually 55 stations) on The Tokaido Road are either unavailable or far too expensive. This smaller volume not only is fairly inexpensive but also shows each station with a comment concerning them as they exist today (2000).

Having lived in Japan many years ago on The Tokaido Road in an area described in Oliver Statler's Japanese Inn, have always wanted a book discussing more of this old Tokugawa road. A book such as I wanted either doesn't exist or is far too expensive for my budget.

I settled on this book and am not sorry. Each print may be somewhat small yet each is in color with much description applied to each print. Maps are shown in the front of the book showing the location of each stage or station on the Tokaido. I was able to locate 'my' local station between 3 and 9, or Kanagawa and Odawara. Lovely, historical Odawara is a castle town directly at the bottom of the Hakone Mountains and Mount Fujisawa or Mt. Fuji. Most days, unless the sulpur clouds did not permit, I could see Mount Fuji from where I lived.

This is a true treasure for someone such as myself who once lived in that area of the Tokaido and after many years of seach now have a suitable book not only concerning the area but the entire Tokaido Road as well. This author actually walked the road (300 + miles) that runs from Tokyo (Edo) to the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto. Essentially the way they did it back in the 17th century. Though most of the road yet exits in many areas a 'route' step was required for the author to continue. I not only applaud this author's effort to write this book but am equally happy to have an autographed copy of his book as well.

A wonderful book that will not only afford all readers information on the Tokaido but also Japan's fascinating history in general. Should you have any interest at all in this subject, this is THE book for you.

I have just finished walking in the delightful, enthusiastic and quirky company of Patrick Carey, the 303 miles of the Old Tokaido. Unlike the author who was footsore and weary at the end, I felt refreshed, enlightened and keen to learn more about Japan, its history, its people and its artists particularly, naturally, about Hiroshige. Prior to reading this book, I have to confess to an almost total ignorance of the subject, so it was with a virtually blank canvas that I started to read. Armed only with copies of the wood block prints made by Hiroshige following his 1832 journey along the Tokaido, a couple of photocopied sketchy maps, a rucksack and boundless enthusiasm, the author set out to trace the old road, seemingly lost among the modern arteries of rail and trunk roads. The prints are grouped together near the start of the book and I only came to look at them closely as the author reached each one stage by stage - it was a bit of a fiddle flicking back and forth, but once I mastered marking the print with the front cover and my place in the story with the back, I found it quite practical and well worth the effort. At each stage of the journey we are entertained by historical facts, topographical notes, encounters with a variety of people all of which contribute to a good read.