East Izu Area
Quarries used in the construction of Edo and hot springs
The legend of the Edo city’s construction turns out to be true
01
The Odawara and East Izu areas have long had a legend about the construction of Edo. This story is recorded in the old shogunal biography known as the “Tokugawa Jikki,” which states that 3,000 ships traveled between Edo and the Resource Peninsula. However, it was difficult to believe the legend, as it was unclear how materials were transported from the distant Resource Peninsula across the sea in the 1600s. In the 2000s, large-scale excavations were carried out in this area in conjunction with excavations in Edo, and it became clear that the legend was true.
The entrance to the East Izu Area, a hot spring beloved by the first shogun
02
When you get off at Atami Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen, you will find yourself surrounded by a chalk-white hot spring resort. It is known as the “Monaco of the Orient.” It is said that the first shogun, Ieyasu, loved the hot spring water here so much that he had it transported to Edo. Today, with its convenient location from the Shinkansen and the many steam rising from the unique hilly town, it has developed into one of Japan’s leading hot spring resorts.
Chubarikubo Stone Quarry Trekking Course
03
The Chubarikubo Stone Quarry Trekking Course is a heritage site located south of Atami City that preserves a quarry where megaliths from the Shogun era were found. Large-scale excavations in the 2000s uncovered megaliths transported to Edo in various quarries, many of which are located in the mountains. This site is particularly accessible, so the city has opened it to visitors as a trekking course. The megaliths were transported out to sea, loaded onto large ships, and transported to the construction site of Edo.
The British samurai who served the Shogun and the shipbuilder
04
The first shogun, Ieyasu, had an English vassal. He arrived in Japan by sea from the Netherlands around the time the construction of Edo began. Ieyasu made this Englishman his vassal, as he was well versed in the struggle for supremacy between Catholics and Protestants in Europe. It is said that this Englishman built a Western-style sailing ship in Ito City. The hot spring resort of Ito City celebrates this Englishman’s achievements every year in June with the Anjin Festival.
A unique resort landscape created by a volcano
05
The Izu area is a resource-rich peninsula, providing an abundance of stone, minerals, and hot springs thanks to its active volcanic activity. The volcanoes in the East Izu Area are known as the “Eastern Volcanoes” and are still active today. The lava that flows out reaches the coast, developing into a unique resort area made up of the sea and lava (pictured is Jogasaki Coast). This is a special place where you can truly feel that the earth is alive.
Archaeology & Evidence
Recent excavations and material studies inform this project.
Historical Research
Built on verified records and academic scholarship.
Field-Based Perspective
Places and routes you can still visit today.