Shiojiri-shuku

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History

This area was originally built by Ōkubo Nagayasu in the Keichō era of the early Edo period. There was a shorter route along the Nakasendō that connected Shimosuwa-shuku and Niekawa-juku directly, but the route was changed to include this post town, as well as Seba-juku and Motoyama-juku, after Ōkubo's death. It eventually became the connecting post town between Shimosuwa-shuku and Seba-juku. During its most prosperous period, there were over 70 buildings in the town and it thrived as one of the "kokudaka" of the Matsumoto Domain. Because of its size, it was divided into "upper," "central" and "lower" portions. [http://magok.cool.ne.jp/shiojiri.html Shiojiri-shuku Machinami] . Accessed July 16, 2007.] During the Meiji period, there was a large fire, which destroyed most of the town.

The post station also served as one terminus for the Sanshū Kaidō, a trade route which brought salt to Japan's interior.

Neighboring Post Towns

;Nakasendō:Shimosuwa-shuku - Shiojiri-shuku - Seba-juku;Shio no Michi's Sanshū Kaidō:Shiojiri-shuku "(starting location)" - Ono-juku

References