43rd Station: Yokkaichi

In this scene of a blustery day, a man races after his hat, which is being swept along by the wind. Another man is crossing a small bridge over a stream, with his coat blown around him. The road here is very narrow and built on pylons above the water. From this vantage point only the roofs of the village can be seen in the distance, yet it must have been a welcoming sight for any traveler.

Yokkaichi was not only a port, but also a thriving market town. The name Yokkaichi literally means 'fourth day market' and is derived from the traditional market held on the fourth day of each month in this town. Travelers had to cross a series of tiny bridges built over the small rivers flowing through low level land along the seashore, such as those pictured here. This station also served as the intersection between the Tokaido and the Pilgrimage Road (Ise Sangu Kaido), which travelers used to reach Ise Shrine for prayer.