TELLBY
English
Heritage

Hakone Sekisho and Hakone Sekisho Museum

Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan

7 story sections14 min 22 s in all

Know more about the life of Edo period and the duty of the samurai during the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. (10 to 45mn)

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

7 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation2:15

    Welcome to the Hakone Sekisho, or the Hakone Checkpoint. We are currently standing at a vital historical crossroads where the Tokugawa Shogunate once exerted absolute control over the movement of people and goods across Japan. …

    Listen in the app
  2. 2The West Gate — The Portal to Authority2:10

    The West Gate served as the primary entrance for travelers coming from the direction of Kyoto. Standing beneath its heavy timber frame, one can immediately feel the weight of institutional power. …

    Listen in the app
  3. 3Officers' Quarters and the Inspection Room2:07

    The heart of the administrative operation was the 'Oban-sho,' or the Officers' Quarters. This building housed the high-ranking officials responsible for the daily management of the checkpoint. …

    Listen in the app
  4. 4Foot Soldiers' Housing and the Prison Chamber1:57

    Behind the primary administrative buildings lay the 'Ashigaru-bansho,' or the quarters for the foot soldiers. These men were the muscle of the checkpoint, responsible for manning the gates, patrolling the perimeter, and enforcing…

    Listen in the app
  5. 5The Lookout Tower — The Eye on the Lake2:05

    To reach the 'To-miban-sho,' or the Lookout Tower, we must ascend a series of steep stone steps. This elevated position was strategically chosen to provide an unobstructed view of Lake Ashi and the surrounding mountain ridges. …

    Listen in the app
  6. 6The Hakone Sekisho Museum — Artifacts of Control2:05

    After exploring the outdoor reconstructions, the Hakone Sekisho Museum provides a deeper dive into the documentary history of the site. Please note that photography is often prohibited inside to protect the delicate historical…

    Listen in the app
  7. 7Closing1:43

    As we leave the Hakone Sekisho and return to the modern world, it is worth reflecting on the significance of what we have seen. For over two centuries, this spot was one of the most tightly controlled borders in the world. …

    Listen in the app

What is Hakone Sekisho and Hakone Sekisho Museum?

Hakone Sekisho and Hakone Sekisho Museum is a place in Kanagawa Prefecture · Japan with 7 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationKanagawa Prefecture · Japan
TypeHeritage
Story sections7
Total length14 min 22 s in all
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates35.1934, 139.0263
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
Listen in the app