西倉沢(Nishikurasawa): an unofficial inn town between Yui and Okitsu

West of Yui inn town appears to have some more extension. 

Recently I discovered detailed trail maps of Shizuoka section of Tokaido highway in English, made by Shizuoka prefecture. So please refer more details to the map on reference section. 

Yui inn town itself is located in east of JR Yui station. 
Nishikurasawa is further south of JR Yui station. 
Then Satta pass is located further south. 
Yui Tarozaemon mansion ruins. This family was running a cargo terminal nearby. 

This clock by the road was built in 1930. This small section is not a part of inn town but has some late 1800s-early 1900s houses. 
On the left, there is Koike family house, built in 19th century, which you can enter and take a look. Going beyond this house to turn left, there is Yui Inn town Tokaido museum of lights. It has collections of lights made in 20th centuries. Check out hours of operations for both facilities. 
Even this tiny section looks nostalgic. 
Before entering Nishikurasawa unofficial inn town, the route goes slightly uphill. Look at the ocean view. 












Now entering Nishikurasawa unofficial inn town. 
Honjin and wakihonjin inns are coming. Meiji emperor stopped by  Kashiwaya wakihonjin. 
The circle on upper side of the map is where two historical battles occurred: 1351 battle between Takauji Ashikaga and Tadayoshi Ashikaga, and 1568-1569 battle of Shingen Takeda vs Ujimasa Imagawa/Hojo clan. The 1351 battle was older brother vs younger brother, and Kamakura-based Tadayoshi lost the battle and fled to Kamakura. In the latter battle, Takeda intruded Imagawa territory and defeated, then Hojo intervened and defeated Takeda. But later Takeda attacked Imagawa again and captured Kanbara castle. 
On the second red circle, there is a parking lot to view Mt.Fuji. Mt.Fuji view from here is wonderful. Going further south up on the pass, you will get to where famous Ukiyoe, Satta Pass describes Mt.Fuji by Hiroshige. 

Google map and Shizuoka prefecture Tokaido maps show that Kanbara-Yui-Nishikurasawa-Okitsu might be a good hiking route. 

The next stop is Okitsu inn town. 


References: 

Satta pass area. Shizuoka Tourism, Exchange and Cultural Bureau, Tourism and MICE Promotion Division. Shizuoka City.  https://shizuoka.tokaido-guide.jp/walking_course/4 (Accessed in 5/30/2025)


Stroll map(of Tokaido). AMZ Environmental Design Research Office Ltd. http://shizuoka-tokaido.biz/en/map/index.html (Accessed in 6/1/2025)

The Battle of Satta Pass(The Battlefield Era). Wikipedia.com. https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%96%A9%E5%9F%B5%E5%B3%A0%E3%81%AE%E6%88%A6%E3%81%84_(%E6%88%A6%E5%9B%BD%E6%99%82%E4%BB%A3) (Accessed in 6/1/2025. In Japanese)

The Battle of Satta Pass(Nanbokucho-era). Wikipedia.com. https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%96%A9%E5%9F%B5%E5%B3%A0%E3%81%AE%E6%88%A6%E3%81%84_(%E5%8D%97%E5%8C%97%E6%9C%9D%E6%99%82%E4%BB%A3) (Accessed in 6/1/2025. In Japanese)




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