宇津ノ谷峠(Utsunoya Pass): preserving good old days of an Edo-time small village

Utsunoya is a small village right before the pass. Many historical figures passed by(just like other inn towns in Tokaido) including lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi. 
And this is probably one of the most beautiful villages on Tokaido. First of all, check out the overview. 

This is one of places in Tokaido that preserve a good old-day scene. I visited several times. 








Again, for more details, check out the reference section. Shizuoka prefectural R-208 used to be the original national R-1. Anyhow, we are stepping off from 208. Across the bridge, there is Kosatsuba information board. 
From Tokyo side, this is a good uphill walk. 
One thing we outsiders should be careful is that this is a tiny, living community.  Capacity to accept guests are limited. There are no hotels/inns to stay. Please be considerate.(But this courtesy should be applied to anywhere else too)
Ohaoriya has something to do with Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Ieyasu Tokugawa. This family received haori traditional jacket from Hideyoshi after the siege of Odawara(1590). Also they received a tea cup from Ieyasu. It looks that the house is not open to public. 
Going up further. You can climb up straight, or you can turn right at the stairways and go on the slope. 
Slope section is like this. There is a famous buckwheat noodle restaurant a little ahead on the right side of the street that we enjoyed years ago. It’s still there. 
Stairway section. Look at how steep it is.
Looking downward toward the village center. 
So going further, there is old Tokaido trail which can be a good hike. And there is Japan’s oldest brick tunnel for cars which is also a part of hiking course.(You can’t drive through annymore but can walk through) Even if you drive a car, there is nearly 100-year-old tunnel to go through. 
Whichever you take, enjoy! But if you hike, make sure you carry food and water. 

Here you will need a car, or hike up from Mariko all the way to Okabe inn town, which is coming up next. 


References: 

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

Utsunoya pass(Fujieda side). Fujieda City Sports and Culture Office Highway and Cumture Division. Fujieda city. https://fujieda.tokaido-guide.jp/column/27 (Accessed in 6/4/2025)

Utsunoya Pass. Sunshu Travel Japan Heritage Council Promotion Secretariat. https://tokaido-sunshu.jp/en/spots/8.html (Accessed in 6/4/2025)



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