The was a subroute of the Ōshū Kaidō

Oshu Kaido

The was one of the five routes of the Edo period and it was built to connect Edo with Mutsu Province and the present-day city of Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan...

, one of the Edo Five Routes

Edo Five Routes

The were the five major roads that started at Edo during the Edo period, the most important of which was the Tōkaidō, which linked Edo and Kyoto...

 of the Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

. It connected the Sendaidō

Sendaido

The was a subroute of the Ōshū Kaidō, one of the Edo Five Routes of Japan. It connected the Ōshū Kaidō's terminus in Shirakawa and Mutsu Province with Sendai. It was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu for government officials traveling through the area....

's terminus at Sendai Castle with the northern tip of modern-day Aomori Prefecture

Aomori Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....

. It was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Ieyasu

 was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara  in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...

 for government officials traveling through the area. The route is named after the Matsumae Domain, the only Edo period

Edo period

The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....

 feudal domain to have been located in Ezo

Ezo

is a Japanese name which historically referred to the lands to the north of Japan. It was used in various senses, sometimes meaning the northern Japanese island of Hokkaidō, and sometimes meaning lands and waters further north in the Sea of Okhotsk, like Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands...

 (now called Hokkaidō

Hokkaido

, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...

); Matsumae was accessible by boat from the northern terminus of the Matsumaedō.

Stations of the Sendaidō

The 44 post stations

Shukuba

were post stations during the Edo period in Japan, generally located on one of the Edo Five Routes or one of its sub-routes. They were also called shukueki . These post stations were places where travelers could rest on their journey around the nation...

 along the Matsumaedō are listed below in order and are divided by their modern-day prefecture. The present day municipality is listed afterwards in parentheses. The Sendaidō

Sendaido

The was a subroute of the Ōshū Kaidō, one of the Edo Five Routes of Japan. It connected the Ōshū Kaidō's terminus in Shirakawa and Mutsu Province with Sendai. It was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu for government officials traveling through the area....

 connected the beginning of the Matsumaedō with the end of the Ōshū Kaidō.

Miyagi Prefecture

Miyagi Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan in the Tōhoku Region on Honshu island. The capital is Sendai.- History :Miyagi Prefecture was formerly part of the province of Mutsu. Mutsu Province, on northern Honshu, was one of the last provinces to be formed as land was taken from the indigenous Emishi, and became the...

Starting Location: Sendai Castle (Aoba-ku

Aoba-ku, Sendai

is one of five wards of Sendai, the largest city in the Tōhoku region of Japan. Aoba-ku encompasses 302.28 km² and had a population of 282,903 as of August 1, 2005.-Infrastructure:...

, Sendai)

1. Nanakita-juku (七北田宿) (Izumi-ku

Izumi-ku, Sendai

is the northernmost ward of Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Although Izumi-ku is mostly a residential area, it is also home to several college campuses; and companies such as Alps, Freescale Semiconductor, and Toppan have a large presence in the Izumi Parktown Industrial Park.As of November...

, Sendai)

2. Tomiya-juku (富谷宿) (Tomiya

Tomiya, Miyagi

is a town located in Kurokawa District, Miyagi, Japan.Tomiya was a post station during the feudal age for travelers resting in between the towns of Yoshioka and Sendai.As of 2006, the town has an estimated population of 42,982. The total area is 49.13 km²....

, Kurokawa District

Kurokawa District, Miyagi

is a district located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 80,214 and a population density of 192.39 persons per km². The total area is 416.93 km²....

)

3. Yoshioka-juku (吉岡宿) (Taiwa

Taiwa, Miyagi

is a town located in Kurokawa District, Miyagi, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 24,963 and a population density of 110.66 persons per km². The total area is 225.59 km². The biggest, and the central community among an old town and four old villages consolidated is...

, Kurokawa District)

4. Sanbongi-juku (三本木宿) (Ōsaki

Osaki, Miyagi

is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Its area is 796.76 km², and its population was 135,129 as of November 1, 2010. The area was hard-hit during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.The city was formed on March 31, 2006, when several jurisdictions merged together....

)

5. Furukawa-juku (古川宿) (Ōsaki)

6. Araya-juku (荒谷宿) (Ōsaki)

7. Takashimizu-juku (高清水宿) (Kurihara

Kurihara, Miyagi

is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 77,012 and a population density of 95.7 persons per km². The total area is 804.93 km². Previously a district consisting of nine towns and one village, on April 1, 2005, the towns and village...

)

8. Tsukidate-juku (築館宿) (Kurihara)

9. Miyano-juku (宮野宿) (Kurihara)

10. Sawabe-juku (沢辺宿) (Kurihara)

11. Kannari-juku (金成宿) (Kurihara)

12. Arikabe-juku (有壁宿) (Kurihara)

Iwate Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture

is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...

13. Ichinoseki-juku (一関宿) (Ichinoseki

Ichinoseki, Iwate

is a city located towards the south of Iwate Prefecture, Japan and situated on the Iwai River. After Morioka and Ōshū, it is the third largest city in the prefecture.-Description:...

)

14. Yamanome-juku (山目宿) (Ichinoseki)

15. Hiraizumi-juku (平泉宿) (Hiraizumi

Hiraizumi, Iwate

is a town located in Nishiiwai District, Iwate, Japan. It was the home of the Hiraizumi Fujiwaras for about 100 years in the late Heian era and most of the following Kamakura period. At the same time it served as the de facto capital of Oshu, an area containing nearly a third of the Japanese land...

, Nishiiwai District

Nishiiwai District, Iwate

is a district located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.As of 2005, the district has an estimated population of 8,782. The total area is 63.39 km².After the 3rd city of Ichinoseki creation on September 20, 2005, the district has only one town left.*Hiraizumi...

)

16. Maesawa-juku (前沢宿) (Ōshū

Oshu, Iwate

is the second largest city in Iwate Prefecture, Japan with a population of 127,804.The city was founded on February 20, 2006, as the result of a merger between the cities of Esashi and Mizusawa, the towns of Maesawa and Isawa and the village of Koromogawa from Isawa District...

)

17. Mizusawa-juku (水沢宿) (Ōshū)

18. Kanegasaki-juku (金ヶ崎宿) (Kanegasaki

Kanegasaki, Iwate

is a town located in Isawa District, Iwate, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 16,188 and a density of 90.05 persons per km². The total area is 179.77 km²....

, Isawa District

Isawa District, Iwate

is a district located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.As of October 31, 2006, the district has an estimated population of 16,433 and a density of 91 persons per km²...

)

19. Aisari-juku (相去宿) (Kitakami

Kitakami, Iwate

is a city located in Iwate Prefecture on the main island of Japan.- History :The first city of Kitakami was founded on April 1, 1954.The current and the second city of Kitakami was founded on April 1, 1991 when the first city merged with the villages of Ezuriko and Waga .- Sightseeing :The city is...

)

• Kurosawajiri-juku (黒沢尻宿) (Kitakami) (ai no shuku
  Ai no shuku
  were unofficial post stations along historical routes in Japan. These post stations formed organically along routes when the distance between two places was too far or when there were difficult passes nearby. Because they were not officially designated rest areas, travelers along the roads were...
  
  )

20. Hanamaki-juku (花巻宿) (Hanamaki

Hanamaki, Iwate

is a city located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. As of March 31, 2011, the city has an estimated total population of 102,455, with a household number of 35,831. Hanamaki is most famous as the birthplace of Kenji Miyazawa and for its onsen. The city recently celebrated the 50th anniversary since its...

)

21. Ishidoriya-juku (石鳥谷宿) (Hanamaki)

22. Hizumekōriyama-juku (日詰郡山宿) (Shiwa

Shiwa, Iwate

is a town located in Shiwa District, Iwate, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 33,744 and a population density of 141.17 persons per km². The total area is 239.03 km².-External links:*...

, Shiwa District

Shiwa District, Iwate

is a district located in Iwate, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 60,586 and a density of 197.79 persons per km². The total area is 306.31 km².There are two towns within the district.*Shiwa*Yahaba-District Timeline:...

)

23. Morioka Castle

Morioka Castle

is a castle in the city of Morioka, Iwate, Japan. Monument selected by the country. It was the place of residence of the Nanbu family of Morioka Han. It is also generally called , but strictly saying this indicates another castle.- General information :...

 (盛岡城) (Morioka

Morioka, Iwate

is the capital city of Iwate Prefecture, Japan.As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 300,740 and a population density of 588.11 persons per km². The total area is 489.15 km²....

)

24. Shibutami-juku (渋民宿) (Morioka)

25. Numakunai-juku (沼宮内宿) (Iwate

Iwate, Iwate

is a town located in Iwate District, Iwate, Japan, 40° latitude.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 18,264. The total area is 360.55 km²....

, Iwate District

Iwate District, Iwate

is a district located in Iwate, Japan. As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 142,495. The total area is 2,846.44 km². The district covers the northern part of Morioka Metropolitan Area...

)

26. Ichinohe-juku (一戸宿) (Ichinohe

Ichinohe, Iwate

is a town located in Ninohe District, Iwate, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 16,028 and a population density of 53.41 persons per km². The total area is 300.11 km².-External links:*...

, Ninohe District

Ninohe District, Iwate

is a district located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. As of May 2008, the district has an estimated Population of 14,880 and a population density of 49.6 persons/km²...

)

27. Fukuoka-juku (福岡宿) (Ninohe

Ninohe, Iwate

is a city located in Iwate, Japan.On January 1, 2006, the existing city of Ninohe merged with the neighboring town of Jōbōji and formed a new city still named Ninohe. The new city's population is estimated to be 30,407, with a total area of 420.31 km²...

)

28. Kindaichi-juku (金田一宿) (Ninohe)

Aomori Prefecture

Aomori Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....

29. Sannohe-juku (三戸宿) (Sannohe

Sannohe, Aomori

is a town located in the Sannohe District of southeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 11,426 and a density of 75.4 persons per km². Its total area was 151.55.91 km².-Geography:...

, Sannohe District

Sannohe District, Aomori

is a district located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It occupies the southeast corner of the prefecture, bordering Iwate Prefecture.As of 2010, the district has an estimated population of 73,955 and a density of 76.3 persons per km². The total area was 969.38 km².- Towns and villages :The...

)

30. Gonohe-juku (五戸宿) (Gonohe

Gonohe, Aomori

is a town located in Sannohe District, Aomori, Japan. Gonohe Town is located in the north-eastern part of Sannohe-gun, approximately 16 kilometres west of Hachinohe City and 10 kilometres southeast of Towada City. The town is adjacent to Hachinohe City to the east, Shingo Village to the west, Nanbu...

, Sannohe District)

31. Denbōji-juku (伝法寺宿) (Towada

Towada, Aomori

is a city located in central Aomori in Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the city had an estimated population of 65,818 and a density of 90.7 persons per km². Its total area was 725.67 km², making it the largest municipality in Aomori Prefecture in terms of area.-Geography:Towada is located in...

)

32. Fujishima-juku (藤島宿) (Towada)

33. Shichinohe-juku (七戸宿) (Shichinohe

Shichinohe, Aomori

is a town located in the Kamikita District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 17,445 and a density of 51.7 persons per km². Its total area was 337.23 km².-Geography:...

, Kamikita District

Kamikita District, Aomori

is a district located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It occupies the east-central portion of the prefecture, south of Shimokita Peninsula.As of 2010, the district has an estimated population of 100,526 and a density of 78.5 persons per km². The total area was 1281.05 km².- Towns and villages...

)

34. Noheji-juku (野辺地宿) (Noheji

Noheji, Aomori

is a town located in the Kamikita District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 14,721 and a density of 175 persons per km². Its total area was 81.61 km².-Geography:...

, Kamikita District)

35. Makado-juku (馬門宿) (Noheji, Kamikita District)

36. Kominato-juku (小湊宿) (Hirainai

Hiranai, Aomori

is a town located in the Higashitsugaru District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 12,470and a density of 57.5 persons per km². Its total area was 217.00 km².-Geography:...

, Higashitsugaru District

Higashitsugaru District, Aomori

is a district located in Aomori, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 29,235 and a density of 44.79 persons per km². The total area is 652.72 km².-Towns and villages:*Hiranai*Imabetsu*Sotogahama*Yomogita-Merger:...

)

37. Nonai-juku (野内宿) (Aomori

Aomori, Aomori

is the capital city of Aomori Prefecture, in the northern Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the city had an estimated population of 302,068 and a density of 366 persons per km². Its total area was 824.52 km².- History :...

)

38. Aomori-juku (青森宿) (Aomori)

39. Aburakawa-juku (油川宿) (Aomori) (also part of the Ushū Kaidō

Ushu Kaido

The was a subroute of the Ōshū Kaidō and the Sendaidō in Japan. It breaks off from the Sendaidō at Kōri-juku in the modern-day Kōri in Fukushima Prefecture. It connects to Aburakawa-juku along Matsumaedō, the other subroute of the Ōshū Kaidō. It is traced by National Routes 13 and 7...

)

40. Yomogita-juku (蓬田宿) (Yomogita

Yomogita, Aomori

is a village located in the Higashitsugaru District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the village had an estimated population of 3,251 and a density of 40.3 persons per km². Its total area was 80.60 km².-Geography:...

, Higashitsugaru District)

41. Kanita-juku (蟹田宿) (Sotogahama

Sotogahama, Aomori

is a town located in the Higashitsugaru District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 2,492 and a density of 18.5 persons per km². Its total area was 135.03 km².-Geography:...

, Higashitsugaru District)

42. Tairadate-juku (平舘宿) (Sotogahama, Higashitsugaru District)

43. Imabetsu-juku (今別宿) (Imabetsu

Imabetsu, Aomori

is a town located in the Higashitsugaru District of northeastern Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 3,328 and a density of 26.6 persons per km². Its total area was 125.28 km².-Geography:...

, Higashitsugaru District)

44. Minmaya-juku (三厩宿) (Sotogahama, Higashitsugaru District)

Ending Location: Tappisaki (竜飛崎) (Minmaya

Minmaya, Aomori

was a village located in Higashitsugaru District in northern Aomori Prefecture, Japan.Minmaya Village was located on the north coast of Tsugaru Peninsula bordering on Tsugaru Strait. The area was part of Hirosaki Domain during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, Minmaya Village was created...

, Higashitsugaru District)