NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉

2007/6/18

旅籠 Hatago Hatago

Jp En


Hatago, or also called hatagoya, were the inns that offered accommodationand meals to the travelers at shukuba (post stations) along the national highways in the Edo period (1603-1868). The word “hatago” means “traveling basket,” which was originally derived from baskets that contained food for horses and were carried by travelers. From there, the word came to be used for a bascket in which travelers carried their own food and goods. In due time, it took on the meaning of “the meals served at inns,” and then of an “inn” itself.

Hatago were classified into three types by its capacity; Oo-hatago (large-sized inns), Chu-hatago (middle-sized inns) and Sho-hatago (small-sized inns). Also a hatago with meshimori onna (rice serving women) was called Meshimori-hatago, and without these women was Hira-hatago.

Staying without meals had been the rule, but after the middle of the Edo period, the half board system was commonly adopted. However, hatago were notorious for terrible meals, dirty futon mats and crammed shared rooms !

There are several traditional hatago still in existence today.

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