藤枝宿(Fujieda inn town): a quiet town with the story of Ieyasu’s defender

Fujieda is the 22nd inn town from Edo/Tokyo-Nihonbashi. To be honest, Fujieda inn town looked boring at a glance from the street view. But am I right? Here is the overview. 

For more details, see the trail map on the reference section. 

According to Sasuga Shizuoka Tokaido map, Edo-side gate existed around this intersection. 

Here is the info board about Fujieda. This is in front to a shrine of Yebisu Daijin Daikokuten, one of Seven Lucky Gods.  

Yearly in the 19th and 20th of November, the shrine holds a festival. 

Across the street, there used to be a toiya cargo terminal. 

This part of Today’s Fujieda inn town is an arcade street called Sawayaka(refreshing) street. 

The information sign standing here is explains why this area is called Shirako-cho. 

In 1582, when lord Nobunaga Oda was assassinated by his vassal, Mitsuhide Akechi, lord Ieyasu Tokugawa was traveling in the south of Kyoto. When he heard this news, he fled to Shiroko(Not Shirako), which is today’s Suzuka city of Mie prefecture. He was almost found, but a local farmer hid him in a mountain of straws. Ieyasu eventually escaped back to Okazaki, his homeland. This farmer, Magozo, also had to flee out of his hometown and ask Ieyasu for help. Ieyasu gave a piece of land in this area, naming “Shirako”. There is another sign of the same story coming up on the next image. 

Here is another sign with Ieyasu image. Next to this, there is Ogawa eye clinic. The owner of this clinic roots back to the farmer, Ogawa Magozo, who helped Ieyasu escape from his enemy. 

This is Ogawa eye clinic, as mentioned above. 

This is a toro light that guided people to Chorakuji temple. As you see on the map, Chorakuji temple is about 2 blocks off from Tokaido. 

The origin of the temple goes back to 1166-1169. Here is a legend: there was a rich man called Chorakusai Kogawa. He had a beautiful 16-year-old daughter. One day, a giant serpent saw her and fell in love with her. He disguised himself as a handsome young guy, approached her, then dragged her into the pond. Chorakusai was so angry at the serpent, and he poured out hot rocks and iron lumps every day until the pond water got boiled, and the serpent was boiled to death. Thus Chorakuji temple was established. 

This old warehouse is a pharmacy now. 

This is Shinmei shrine. There are a lot of Shinmei shrines all over Japan. Chap GPT and Wikipedia say that there are 5000-18000 Shinmei shrines all over Japan, and they all worship Amaterasu, the god of Ise shrine. 

Fujieda had two honjin inns: Kamihonjin(Kyoto-side honjin) and Shimohonjin(Edo-side honjin). This parking lot is where Shimohonjin used to be. 

This is where Kyoto-side honjin, Kamihonjin, used to be. 

This is where Kyoto-side gate used to be. 

If you step out for a few blocks off the main road, there are other shrines and temples. 

To Fujieda inn town, take Shizutetsu Just Line bus from JR Fujieda station to Kami-Tenma stop. It’s only 6 stops from JR Fujieda station. Over the next 4-5 stops from Kami-Tenma is Fujieda inn town area. 

A couple of more things I should mention are that, definitely Fujieda is not a typical tourist city. It is a quiet, rural city. However, by checking out the city on Google map, I see some interesting sites. By the way, if you are a wine lover, visit and try Fujueda’s local sake, Shidaizumi daiginjo premium sake. To me, this is one of the most dangerously delicious sakes. 

The next stop is Shimada inn town. 

References: 

Fujieda Station. Fujieda    https://fujieda.tokaido-guide.jp/shukuba/1 (Accessed in 1/15/2026)

Princess Iwai who was taken by a giant serpent. Provincial Museum/Literary Museum. Fujieda City. (Japanese title: 大蛇にさらわれた賀姫　藤枝市郷土博物館・文学館) https://www.city.fujieda.shizuoka.jp/kyodomuse/11/12/1445916475707.html (in Japanese only. Accessed in 1/15/2026)

Stroll map(of Tokaido). AMZ Environment Design Research Office Ltd.  http://shizuoka-tokaido.biz/en/map/index.html (Accessed in 1/15/2026) 

The official website of Chorakuji Temple, Myoshin School of Rinzai Sect. (In Japanese: 臨済宗妙心寺派青龍山長楽寺公式サイト) https://kagekawa0824.wixsite.com/chorakuji/blank-13 (Japanese only. Accessed in 1/15/2026)