Hokkoku Kaidō

The Hokkoku Kaidō (北国街道, Hokkoku Kaidō^?) was a highway in Japan during the Edo period. It was a secondary route, ranked below the Edo Five Routes in importance. Because it was developed for travelers going to Zenkō-ji, it was also called Zenkō-ji Kaidō (善光寺街道). It stretched from the Nakasendō's Oiwake-juku to the Hokurikudō's Takada-shuku. Nowadays, the route is traced by Route 18, stretching between the town of Karuizawa and the city of Jōetsu.

Though there were 25 post stations along the Hokkoku Kaidō, some of the stations were labeled as "paired stations" (合宿 aishuku). Additionally, Nezumi-shuku and Shinonoi Oiwake-shuku were mid-stations, at which only government officials could stay, further reducing the number that commoners could use to 17. The stations are divided by present-day prefectures below, with the municipality in parentheses.

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