Hakone Check Point and Museum

The Hakone Checkpoint is an important historical site in the history of Edo transportation. It served as a checkpoint for surveillance aimed at ensuring that the wives of feudal lords who had been made to stay in Edo as hostages did not escape back to their hometowns and that weapons were not brought into Edo in large quantities without prior permission. It also served as a military stronghold before the Edo period.

One had to possess a bill or deed to pass the checkpoint, and among travelers, women leaving Edo were scrutinized especially strictly by an official known as “hitomi-onna,” who would carefully inspect the features of the woman’s face, limbs, etc., based on the information recorded in the deed, during which no one else was allowed to pass the checkpoint. It was said that lines of up to 1,000 people would often form in front of the Edo-side gate as a result.

｜Access

About 27 minutes from Hakone Sengokuhara Prince Hotel by car