Hakone Sekisho

A key point along the Tokaido during the age of the Edo Period, the historically significant Hakone Sekisho can be found. This restored facility served a purpose of carrying out as an inspection point during the time Japan was under the Shogunate rule. The Shogunate government ordered these checkpoints to be located around the country to protect the capital. Strict interrogations would be implemented for both illegal travelers and women, who were particularly targeted as a means to prevent them from leaving their lives as hostages under the shogunate regime. 
 
These inspection points were also utilized for the halting of illicit goods like incoming guns to be prevented from entering the capitol. This structure was in place and continued until the Meiji governmental system did away with it in 1869. Several items like past papers and various weapons can be seen on display here at the exhibition hall.