#utsunoya

Ai-no-Shuku Utsunoya in Shizuoka, Japan｜間の宿・宇津ノ谷・静岡県静岡市

The Utsunoya-tōge Pass (宇津ノ谷峠) is a mountain pass on the old Tōkaidō route in Shizuoka Prefecture, that connected eastern Japan with Kyoto, the imperial capital, and later became one of the most important travel routes of the Edo period (1603–1867).

At the foot of the pass lies the small hamlet of Utsunoya, also known as Ai-no-Shuku Utsunoya (間の宿・宇津ノ谷). An ai-no-shuku was an unofficial rest stop located between official post towns on the Tōkaidō route.

Location: Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Pref.

Timestamp: 2026/01/04・14:12

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

23 mm ISO 160 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/8.0

Astia/Soft film simulation

Resting on the Old Tokaido・旧東海道でひと休み

Dale-chan gets tired more easily these days, especially when our walks involve climbing up and down old stone steps.

On this cold winter afternoon, she found a quiet place to rest at Ai-no-Shuku Utsunoya (間の宿・宇津ノ谷), a historic hamlet in Shizuoka Prefecture along the old Tokaido road.

I also made a short YouTube video from this photowalk around the hamlet: https://youtu.be/y70kKHGZxBc

Location: Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Pref.

Timestamp: 2026/01/04・14:02

Loyal Companion “Dale-chan”・愛犬のデールちゃん

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

23 mm ISO 160 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/2.0

Latticed Door of Ohaori-ya House on the Old Tokaido Road・旧東海道｜間の宿・宇津ノ谷の御羽織屋の格子戸

Ohaori-ya House (御羽織屋) is one of several historic buildings in the small hamlet of Utsunoya (間の宿・宇津ノ谷), located at the foot of Utsunoya-tōge Pass in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Ohaori-ya House takes its name from a haori, a traditional jacket worn over a kimono, said to have been gifted to the owner by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a historically significant samurai and daimyō (feudal lord) of the middle ages. Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, is also said to have visited the house.

Today, the wooden façades, latticework, tiled roofs, and quiet stone-paved street still preserve the atmosphere of this former Tokaido Road hamlet.

Photo 1

Timestamp: 2026/01/04・13:53

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

23 mm ISO 160 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.8

Classic Negative film simulation

Photo 2

Timestamp: 2026/01/04・13:56

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

23 mm ISO 160 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/8.0

Classic Negative film simulation

Kuruma-ya House on the Old Tokaido Road・旧東海道・宇津ノ谷の車屋

Kurumaya House (車屋) is one of several historic buildings in the small hamlet of Utsunoya, located at the foot of Utsunoya-tōge Pass in Shizuoka Prefecture.

The name “Kurumaya” reflects the transport-related businesses that once supported travelers and goods moving through this mountain pass on the old Tokaido route.

Today, the wooden façade, latticework, tiled roof, and quiet stone-paved street still preserve the atmosphere of this former Tokaido Road hamlet.

Read my full write-up (1-minute read) with sources for a deeper dive:

https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260104-utsunoya

Photo 1

Timestamp: 2026/01/04・13:49

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

23 mm ISO 160 for 1/500 sec. at ƒ/2.8

Classic Negative film simulation

Photo 2

Timestamp: 2026/01/04・13:50

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

23 mm ISO 160 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/8.0