{"id":71853,"date":"2021-06-13T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-13T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=71853"},"modified":"2021-06-11T19:06:01","modified_gmt":"2021-06-11T10:06:01","slug":"shida-tei-traditional-merchant-house-tokaido-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/shida-tei-traditional-merchant-house-tokaido-road\/","title":{"rendered":"Shida-tei: A Traditional Merchant House Along the Ancient Tokaido Road"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Japan is known for its beautiful juxtaposition of the old vs new, with traditional architecture scattered amidst city skyscrapers. Every time one stumbles upon one of Tokyo’s many traditional buildings, it\u2019s like discovering a beautiful gem in the rough. However, a short train ride can take you out of central Tokyo along the route of the old Tokaido Road<\/a> in Kambara<\/strong> (\u84b2\u539f)<\/span>, Shizuoka<\/a> to see a higher concentration of original buildings. Here is where I walked amongst some of the beautifully preserved merchants houses<\/strong>, including Shida-tei, a traditional Japanese house<\/strong> along the Tokaido Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Traditional Japanese House of Shida-tei <\/em>on Tokaido Road<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The old Tokaido Road was an important route of commerce between the ancient capital of Kyoto and the new capital of Edo<\/strong> (now modern-day Tokyo). Various post stations (rest stops) exist along the route, and the town of Kambara is one of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shida
The exterior of Shida-tei, preserved from the old Tokaido days.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shida-tei <\/em>(Shida House) is a traditional Japanese merchants’ house located in Kambara, Shizuoka prefecture. It is one of the many family businesses in Shizuoka who have been active since the old Tokaido days of the Edo period. Similar families and businesses are advocates of protecting, preserving and showcasing the history of their family and Tokaido Road. There is the teahouse master of Chojiya in the Mariko post town<\/a> and Shosetsu Sake in Yui Post Town<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n