33rd Station: Futagawa

Futagawa was located approximately 176 miles from Edo's Nihonbashi, the start of the Tokaido Road, and was only three quarters of a mile long. Here, weary travelers approach an isolated teahouse set in a rather bleak landscape. Because of the poor soil in this barren district, only small pine trees and shrubs were able to grow. Refreshment at the teahouse would have relieved the boredom of the long walk for the travelers.

Futagawa was established in 1601 when the two villages of Futagawa and Oiwa, were charged with caring for travelers. However in 1644, since both villages were so small and separated by such a short distance, the Tokugawa shogunate moved Futagawa further to the west and Oiwa further to the east before re-establishing the post station in Futagawa’s new location. Oiwa became ai no shuku, an unofficial post station where travelers could stop but were not permitted to stay.

During the Meiji Restoration, when rail lines were being laid, the tracks ran through the town, but there was no station. After realizing the value of the railroad, the town petitioned for a station and Futagawa Station was eventually built between Futagawa and Oiwa.