| About Fujisawa |
Fujisawa has an old history.During the Kamakura Era (12th-14th century
) Fujisawa prospered as a " temple town" with visitors to the Yugyou-ji Temple.
During the Edo Era (17th -19th Century) it grew further and was called
"Toukaidou Fujisawa Shuku"(Tokai Road Fujisawa Shuku) Yugyouji
Temple and Fujisawasyuku were used as the base for visitors and pilgrims
to Enoshima-Benten(Female Budda) and Ooyama.
In Meiji Era it became busier as a city of Fujisawa merchants city . Old
warehouses we see today remind us of the prosperity of those days. |
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| Past and present Yugyou bridge |
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Wataya's History |
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Wataya is an old family with its proud history of 200 years.The family name "Wata-ya"(cotton store ) suggests that they were in cotton business.
From Edo to Meiji Era the family operated an inn. It was the first inn for the travelers from Edo (Tokyo) to see when they reach Fujisawashuku.
Wataya of the 7th proprietor, Seitoku, was founded in 1945, and in 1950's
it was favoured by traveling merchants as their regular lodging.
In 1965 it was converted into a rental apartment. Now it has again been renovated, retaining the old historical Japanese style that will appeal to visitors from abroad as well. |
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Photo around 1946. Wataya shortly after the World War‡U. Traces of old Shukuba-machi
(lodging town) still remain.
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| The left photo from 1937. Father Masao, 20 years old, playing the accordion
that was rare to see those days. |
| The middle photo shows Wataya's landlady Chie in her youth. She came from
a farming family of Chougo near Fujisawa. |
| The right photo taken in 1955. Landlady Chie in front of Wataya in snow,
all smile in spite of the chill. |
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