Walk the Mochi Kaido road like a traveler of old for a taste of Mie’s confectionery culture Part 1
Ise Jingu is the shining star of any trip to Mie Prefecture. The pilgrimage to this sacred shrine, known as “Oise mairi,” became popular among common people in the Edo period (17C-19C), and the region welcomed countless travelers from all over the country. An adult man of the times is believed to have walked about 32 to 40 km, or roughly eight to ten hours a day, a task difficult to imagine for most people today. The Ise Kaido road alone from Yokkaichi City through Mie Prefecture to Ise Jingu covers about 70 km. Travelers in those days would likely have covered the distance in two or three days of walking.
Sekijuku: One more post town with mochi culture
Southwest of Yokkaichi, in Kameyama City, Sekijuku also flourished as a post town along the main Tokaido artery connecting Edo and Kyoto. Here too, the mochi culture of warmly welcoming Tokaido travelers is alive and well. Sekijuku’s specialty is Shiratama, a round mochi cake wrapped with red bean paste. It is slightly different from Kuwana and Yokkaichi mochi and really cute!
Check here for more information about Sekijuku:
Travel back in time to old Japan! Take a stroll through Sekijuku
Check here for more information about Sekijuku:
Travel back in time to old Japan! Take a stroll through Sekijuku
Next, we continue our journey heading to Ise! Much more mochi around Ise Jingu.
Stay tuned for more on the sweet pleasures of the Mochi Road in Part 2!
Walk the Mochi Kaido road like a traveler of old for a taste of Mie’s confectionery culture Part 2
Stay tuned for more on the sweet pleasures of the Mochi Road in Part 2!
Walk the Mochi Kaido road like a traveler of old for a taste of Mie’s confectionery culture Part 2