44th Station: Ishiyakushi

Originally, there had been no post stations between Yokkaichi and Kameyama, so Ishiyakushi was established in 1616, fifteen years later than some of the original stations along the Tokaido. The station received its name from the nearby Buddhist temple, Ishiyakushi, where a stone image of Buddha Yakushi was enshrined. The temple is nestled in a grove of trees on the left with the village on the right. This site was considered a very important shrine and was visited by many worshippers.

There were 180 buildings in the original post station. The Ozawa family managed the honjin in the town and kept many records, which are still available today in a local archives museum.