5. Conclusion

a. The conventional routes and the new routes

In the Meiji Restoration, Tokaido Main Line (railway) was constructed near along Old Tokaido from Tokyo to Nagoya, Mino-ii from Nagoya to Gifu, and Nakasendo from Gifu to Kyoto. After World War ‡U, Tokaido Shinkansen Line and Meishin and Tomei Expressways were built along Edo Five Routes.

Now, it is old Tokaido that Tokaido Shinkansen Line from Tokyo to Nagoya, National Route 1 and Tomei and Shin-Meishin Expressways go near along. It is also old Nakasendo that Meishin Expressway, Hokuriku Shinkansen Line from Tokyo to Saku (Nagano Prefecture), Chuo Main Line (railway) from Suwa to Ena (Gifu Prefecture), and Tokaido Shinkansen Line from Gifu to Kyoto (or Osaka) are located along. In addition, Chuo Main Line, National Route 20 and Chuo Expressway which are from Tokyo to Suwa (Nagano Prefecture) run near alone Koshu-kaido. Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen Line is located near along National Route 4 and Tohoku Expressway run along Oshu-kaido and Sendai-Matsumae-do.

From these, some parts of roads and railways run near along Kaido like Edo five Routes and the others not. For instance, the main route going through mountain in the east-west direction from Suwa eastward moved from Nakasendo to Koshu-kaido.

b. The future of Edo Five Routes

Following these, it is found that some roads, expressways and railways are based on Kaido in the Edo Period like Edo Five Routes. These play a part in economic growth in Japan, over past, present and future.

On the other hand, Edo Five Routes also now exist. In Seki-juku in Tokaido (Mie Prefecture) and Narai-juku in Nakasendo (Nagano Prefecture) and so on, buildings have had the same form from olden days into the present, so these are now popular tourist attraction. In Karuisawa(karuizawa)-shuku in Nakasendo (Nagano Prefecture) turned into one of the most popular resort areas in Japan in the Meiji Era. In Fukuroi City in Shizuoka Prefecture, where Fukuroi-juku was located, is built in accordance with comprehensive community as the right in the middle of Tokaido.

In these ways, Kaido in the Edo Period like Edo Five Routes are based on roads and railways as they are. They also exist as though they do not what they used to be. And above all, they will be in existence forever in any form.

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