“Kosugi-Goten-cho. It means Kosugi Palace.” That’s the first thing you need to know about this place. Welcome to Kosugi-gotencho a district in Kawasaki Japan steeped in history and modern vibrancy.
Kosugi-gotencho is not just a location. It is a journey through time. Imagine stepping back 400 years to the Edo period.
Back then this area was Kosugi Village. It was a small village. It is hard to believe today with all the modern buildings.
Tokugawa Ieyasu the founder of the Edo Shogunate often visited Kosugi-gotencho. He enjoyed falconry here a popular pastime for samurai.
This area was more than just a playground for the powerful. Kosugi Village played a vital role in supporting Edo now Tokyo. Villagers traveled the Nakahara Highway. They went to Edo to collect human excrement. This was used as fertilizer for their fields. It was a crucial exchange. Vegetables from Kosugi were traded for fertilizer from Edo. The road became known as “Fertilizer Road”.
But that’s not all. This highway also had another name “Vinegar Highway”. Naruse Vinegar was produced in Hiratsuka. It was presented to the Shogun via this route. Vinegar was an important seasoning then because there was no soy sauce.
Interestingly this vinegar had been largely forgotten. The 2023 NHK historical drama “Dare Ieyasu” put the spotlight back on it.
After the early Edo period the Nakahara Highway declined. The Tokaido Highway developed along the sea. The Nakahara Kaido was simply too narrow. It became congested when the daimyo’s entourage passed through.
Today Kosugi-gotencho is a key transportation hub. Six train lines pass through Musashi-Kosugi. It is a shortcut connecting Edo and the sea.
After the palace disappeared Kosugi-gotencho became a quiet farming village for about 300 years. Now it is experiencing a revival with modern buildings.
Kosugi-gotencho beautifully blends the old and the new. It preserves its history while embracing modernity. As you explore Kosugi-gotencho remember its transformation. From a small village to a palace retreat to a vital agricultural hub and now a modern urban center Kosugi-gotencho’s story is a testament to Japan’s dynamic spirit. It is a place where you can feel the echoes of the Edo period amidst the modern landscape.