市川塩浜常夜燈

Gazing across the waters, can you sense the echoes of prayers? Those prayers led to the creation of the 市川常夜燈 in 1812. The Edo period was a time of bustling river traffic along the Edo River, now the old Edogawa River. People traveling between Edo (Tokyo) and Narita Temple needed safe passage. Worshippers, concerned for the safety of those making their pilgrimage, built the Ichikawa Joyato. This stone lighthouse, standing 4.31 meters tall, became a beacon of hope. The names of those who contributed to its construction are etched on its sides, a testament to their devotion. The area around the 市川常夜燈, known as Shinkashi, was already a popular spot. People embarked on boats here to visit Narita Temple. The Gyotoku boats, operating between Edo and Gyotoku, established a riverbank and bustling trade in 1632. By 1786, Gyotoku village boasted 53 such boats. Shinkashi became crowded with travelers and pilgrims. The 市川常夜燈, a symbol of safe passage, became a prominent landmark in this lively scene. The lighthouse has faced its own journeys. In 1940, riverbank expansion work necessitated its relocation. It was even placed atop a levee. Then, on December 12, 2001, as part of the opening of Joyato Park, the lighthouse was reinforced with earthquake-resistant fixtures and placed within the park, ensuring its safety for generations to come. The 市川常夜燈 stands as a silent witness to centuries of history, a testament to the hopes and prayers of those who sought safe passage along the Edo River.