Moriyama-juku

• Japanese: 守山宿 (Moriyama juku)

Moriyama-juku was the 67th of the 69 post-stations along the Nakasendô highway. It is today located in Moriyama city, Shiga prefecture.

In the Edo period, the main stretch of the post-town was about 1300 meters long (11 chô, 53 ken), and was home to about 1700 people. The neighboring kashuku (additional post-town) of Imajuku was linked to Moriyama across a short bridge spanning a narrow river; it contained additional inns, teahouses, and the like.

One of the chief temples in the town is Tômon-in, also known as Tômon-in Moriyama-dera. It is said to have been established by Saichô sometime in the Enryaku era (782-806) to guard the town from the kimon (lit. "devil's gate") direction. Korean embassies to Edo frequently took up lodgings at this temple on their way to and from Edo.

Moriyama is the hometown of Uno Sôsuke, who served briefly as Prime Minister in 1989. A historic machiya associated with him is open to the public as a historic house and rentable venue today.

Preceded by: Musa-juku

Stations of the Nakasendô

Succeeded by: Kusatsu-juku

References

• Pamphlet, Nakasendô kaidô bunka kôryûkan, Moriyama.