We passed another long, narrow street a little while ago. Did you notice?

Actually, that street is the backstreet of Shimojuku.

In 1572, the town of Old Yoshida relocated to Kamiyoshida, and the areas in the middle and at the top of the road, Nakajuku and Kamijuku, were built and named first. 30 years later, in 1606, a new section of town was added: Shimojuku.

When the priests began to move into Shimojuku, they claimed the land between this backstreet and the main street.

Imagine walking along this road and seeing the backs of the graves or the shrines, which are the backs of priests’ homes. You might realize that, compared to Nakajuku, this area was much more cramped.