31st Station: Arai

In this scene the daimyo on sankin kotai  crosses the lake between Maisaka and Arai by boat. His importance is demonstrated by the large vessel displaying his family crest; while his retainers follow in a smaller boat with the baggage.

At a few points along the Tokaido, there were checkpoints where travelers had to present traveling permits to pass. The Arai checkpoint is the only one that existed both on land and water. Both the Arai checkpoint and post station were damaged by earthquakes and tsunami so often that they were eventually moved to different locations. The current location was established after the earthquake of 1707. The existing checkpoint building was used as a school after the checkpoint was abolished at the start of the Meiji period. It is now preserved as a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the post stations.