Kawasaki: History of Kawasaki-juku

The founding and development of Kawasaki-juku

Kawasaki-juku opened in 1623 to ease the post station duties of Shinagawa and Kanagawa. Initially, the post town consisted of Shinshuku and Isago; Kunezaki and Kotoro were added later, bringing the total to four districts. The reason for its opening and the sequence of district names answer different questions: the purpose explains which stations were to be relieved, while the names show the town’s initial structure and its later expansion. If you also consider historical connections when looking for a hotel in Kawasaki, you can understand Kawasaki-juku in terms of both the reason for its opening and its development.

Mannenya and the historic post town

A record from 1863 described the Mannenya inn in Kawasaki-juku at the time as the largest inn in the post town. This detail adds a specific establishment and a period-specific statement about its size to the history of the station. The years 1623 and 1863 refer to different milestones: 1623 marks the station’s opening, while 1863 dates the record about Mannenya. The focus thus shifts from the founding purpose and the town’s structure to a particular inn and its significance at the time.

Temples, people, and remembrance

The community’s history also includes 一行寺, known as 閻魔寺. An Enma statue stands on its grounds; the graves of Asai Chūryō and Nishikawa Man’ō are also located there. Asai Chūryō opened Kawasaki’s first terakoya school, while Nishikawa Man’ō was associated with Fujikō. The two graves therefore point to different biographical connections: Asai Chūryō is associated primarily with the history of education, and Nishikawa Man’ō with his connection to Fujikō. The temple brings this history of individuals together with the statue of Enma.

Nara-cha meshi: a culinary trace

Nara-cha meshi (奈良茶飯) was a specialty of Kawasaki-juku. In 東海道中膝栗毛, Yaji and Kita are said to have eaten the dish. Thus, alongside the development of the station and the inn, a food is also associated with the post town. The specialty and the literary episode offer two distinct connections: the dish belongs to the food history of Kawasaki-juku, while the work adds a story about its consumption. For travelers interested in literature, this connection offers a perspective distinct from the town’s history.

Commemorating the 飯盛女

A memorial tower for the 飯盛女 (courtesans) who once worked in the post town stands on the grounds of 宗三寺. The tower draws attention to a group, while 一行寺 is the site of the graves of two named men with different connections. In this way, individual histories and remembrance of a group offer complementary perspectives on the past of the post town.

Discover more destinations: Kamakura, Hiratsuka, Naka District, Hadano, Miura, Ogimachi, Ashigarashimo District, Chigasaki

For the broader travel overview: Kanagawa Prefecture.